Cross-Functional Operations Intern

XPRIZE Overview 

XPRIZE is an established global leader in designing and executing large-scale competitions to solve humanity’s greatest challenges. As a 501(c)3, our unique model democratizes innovation by incentivizing crowd-sourced, scientifically viable solutions to create a more equitable and abundant future for all.  Since our founding in 1994, we’ve launched $519 million in prize competitions that are driving more than $31 billion in social and economic impact — a 60x return on philanthropic investment. These competitions not only de-risk early-stage breakthrough ideas but also mobilize capital, talent, and momentum to accelerate solutions from concept to real-world scale.

We operate across 5 areas of impact, including: 

• Deep Tech + Exploration
• Energy + Climate + Nature
• Food + Water + Waste
• Health
• Learning + Society

Join XPRIZE to help create meaningful impact as we strive to empower humanity to achieve breakthroughs and architect a more equitable and abundant future for all.

Position Description 

XPRIZE offers a meaningful part-time summer internship program spanning from June 15, 2026 - August 21, 2026 to undergraduate or graduate students looking to gain work experience in an exciting non-profit organization. Interns will participate in virtual social activities with their cohort, be provided with learning and professional development opportunities, and present a final research project to their department.

The Intern will support Senior Director of Cross Functional Operations & Scaling, an enterprise-wide role which seeks out a diversity of opinions and ideas among leadership and teammates to build strategies and solve problems; establish best practices and agreements to regulate how teams work together; and be able to demonstrate to team members how their contribution ladders up to organizational goals.

Responsibilities

• Understand and work with various internal systems, updating and reviewing as needed
• Own upkeep of the Foundation calendar, including compiling and distributing monthly and quarterly event summaries
• Conduct a comprehensive review of the organization’s Digital Resource Library on Confluence to identify content gaps and opportunities to add or improve program resources
• Support exploratory initiatives and pilot projects to implement AI usage internally to drive operational insights and efficiencies.
• Provide operational support across evolving strategic and cross-functional initiatives 
• Create and present on a final research project to your colleagues

Qualifications 

• Proficient in Microsoft & Google Suites
• Strong communication, organizational, and time management skills
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Interest in using digital whiteboarding and collaboration tools (e.g., Miro) to organize complex ideas and cross-team initiatives
• Passion for solving global issues
• Must be a rising Junior or Senior in an undergraduate program or higher in a related field
• Availability to work 25 hours per week for the duration of the 10-week program

Competencies required for this role: 

• Action-oriented 
• Manages ambiguity 
• Collaborates internally and externally 
• Growth mindset
• Communicates effectively and professionally
• Global perspective 
• Driven and dedicated 

The anticipated compensation for this position is $18/hour to $22/hour. The actual compensation offered will depend on a variety of factors including the qualifications of the individual applicant, years of relevant experience for the role, level of education attained, and certifications and/or other licenses held. XPRIZE is a remote-first environment.

The XPRIZE FOUNDATION is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate in employment. Equal access to employment, services, and programs is available to all persons. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify a representative of the organization. 

Please note: Though submitting a resume to the XPRIZE FOUNDATION implies that you are interested in a position(s), it does not imply that you are an applicant. You are not considered an applicant until you have been contacted directly by a Talent Acquisitions representative requesting that you begin the designated application process, which may involve phone and/or in-person interview(s), job-related testing, and background checks.