2026 Environment and Policy Internships (EPIC): World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - Green Climate Fund
Job Title: Designing nature-based solutions for climate mitigation/adaptation Intern
Department/Team: Green Climate Fund Accredited Entity team at World Wildlife Fund (WWF-US)
Location: Remote or Hybrid in Washington, DC; Virginia; or Maryland
Duration: 35-40 hours per week for ten weeks over the summer
Reports to: JP Jaudel (Director, Project Development, GCF Accredited Entity (AE) Unit)
Areas of Interest: Nature-based solutions, project design, data visualization, communications, M&E methodologies
About the World Wildlife Fund:
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations. Our mission is to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. To deliver this mission, we work to conserve and restore biodiversity, the web that supports all life on Earth; to reduce humanity's environmental footprint; and to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources to support current and future generations.
About the Green Climate Fund Accredited Entity Team:
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is one of the leading international donors for climate change projects with an average WWF GCF project value of $30-$40 million, excluding co-financing (often exceeding $100 million per project with co-financing commitments). As an accredited entity (AE) to the GCF, WWF works to bring innovative and transformational projects featuring large-scale, nature-based solutions that protect, restore and manage ecosystems to enhance adaptation and reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, as well as providing other co-benefits in the areas of biodiversity conservation, livelihoods and ecosystem services.
The WWF-US GCF AE unit is the designated entity within the WWF network managing the relationship with the GCF Secretariat and all relevant partners on all projects where WWF serves as an AE to the fund. The WWF GCF AE unit is currently comprised of five dedicated staff members tasked with overseeing the development, implementation, and monitoring of GCF projects and programs and managing WWF’s relationship with the GCF, ensuring compliance with GCF policies and WWF standards throughout the project cycle. WWF currently has GCF projects under implementation in Bhutan, Colombia and Pakistan and has more than a half dozen other GCF projects in the design pipeline.
The WWF GCF AE unit operates as a WWF network service hosted within WWF-US Climate Goal Team, one of six goal teams within WWF-US collectively working to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.
Position Description/Scope of Work:
This position is intended for undergraduate students with a background in earth sciences, conservation, climate science, climate finance or project/environmental management. The selected candidate will support the head of WWF’s Green Climate Fund unit and the team’s Project Development Lead in project design functions, research tasks, and support the team’s continued learning related to the development of high-quality NbS for climate projects and programs in selected priority WWF landscapes and seascapes.
This internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn and contribute to the identification and design of large complex climate change projects for the world’s leading climate fund, the GCF.
List of Potential Projects/Responsibilities:
- Serve as a member of the WWF GCF AE supporting the project design team with scoping, design, and possible start-up of WWF projects for the GCF. These projects will cover a range of thematic areas in the NbS space in both terrestrial and marine priority ecosystems for WWF. The exact nature of support will depend on which project the intern is assigned to support.
- Conduct research and analysis on best practices related to NbS approaches for climate mitigation/adaptation for application into specific place-based projects and programs under design.
- Contribute to the team’s learning and knowledge management efforts by reviewing past GCF funding proposals and other project documents to identify opportunities to enhance WWF’s project design efforts. This could include the preparation of Concept Notes, Project Preparation Facilities, Funding Proposals, Terms of Reference for technical consultancies, and responses to GCF feedback.
- Support the development of new and improving existing visual and written materials for internal and external presentations on WWF’s engagement with the GCF.
- Support the strategic planning of WWF GCF AE team staff and partners through planning decision-making workshops, retreats and "game planning" sessions.
Desired Skills/Qualifications:
- Experience in performing qualitative or quantitative research.
- Basic knowledge of nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches to climate change mitigation and/or adaptation. Academic experience will count in-lieu of work experience.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Ability to develop PowerPoint decks using a variety of diagrams, charts, photos and visual data in a professional and timely manner
- Able to conduct themselves professionally and with discretion on sensitive matters
- Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
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Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
- COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
- INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
- RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
- COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.
Logistics:
- EPIC fellows are required to work full-time (35-40 hours per week) for 10 weeks over the summer, and will receive a stipend of $8,000 - $9,500, depending on financial need. This stipend is intended to help cover living and transportation expenses during the fellowship, which the student is expected to arrange and coordinate.
- Internship dates will be: June 29, 2026 – September 4, 2026
- Hybrid (Washington, DC; Virginia; Maryland) preferred. Fully remote possible with manager’s discretion.
As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.
2025 Stanford EPIC Fellow: Anushka Vijay
Eligibility:
Stanford undergraduates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, and applicants may vary in academic interests, public service involvement, and experience. Learn more about our previous EPIC cohorts! Students must be enrolled for winter and spring quarters of this year and be in good academic standing to be eligible for a fellowship. Students may not be serving a suspension and may not be on a Leave of Absence (LOA).
Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, and Co-terms are eligible; Graduating seniors cannot apply for the February deadline, and are ineligible for additional financial aid beyond the base stipend. Graduating seniors may apply if there is a Round 2 deadline in the spring quarter. All students, including co-term students, must be in the undergraduate billing group in spring quarter (this is important!). Student athletes should confirm the impact of any awarded stipend on their athletic eligibility by contacting the Compliance Services Office prior to submitting their application. Please refer to the Haas Center for Public Service's website for additional Cardinal Quarter Undergraduate Fellowship Program Policies and Requirements.
Note: students are only eligible for one Stanford-funded full-time experiential learning opportunity during the summer, and are not permitted to engage in another full-time internship, job, coursework, or volunteer opportunity. Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own housing and transportation during the fellowship.
Requirements:
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Spring Quarter:
- Commit to working full-time (35-40 hours week) for 10 consecutive weeks
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Complete an online program orientation through the Haas Center for Public Service
- This will include designing a personal learning plan that you will share with your site supervisor and academic mentor
- Complete the Engaging in Ethical and Effective Service in-person workshop or worksheet
- If you are working internationally, complete the International Academy Canvas course, and participate in pre-departure orientation with Stanford Global Risk
- Meet with your assigned Stanford academic mentor at least once prior to the start of the fellowship (more check-ins during and after your experience are encouraged)
- Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in spring quarter, as your schedule allows
- Complete and submit all required forms and paperwork
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Summer Quarter:
- Engage in your full-time fellowship (starting no later than July 6, 2026; exact start date to be determined with your site supervisor)
- Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in the summer, as your schedule allows
- Submit a mid-summer evaluation
- Submit a final project report, complete a program evaluation, and correspond with donor(s) as requested by program staff
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Fall Quarter:
- Debrief with your academic mentor at least once
- Attend a de-briefing meeting for the purpose of reflecting upon and evaluating summer experiences
- Participate in outreach activities to share your experiences and help publicize the program
*Failure to complete any of the requirements may result in the student's stipend being rescinded in part or in full.
Fundamental Standard:
Violations of Undergraduate Fellowships program policies are violations of the Fundamental Standard and may be referred to the Office of Community Standards. Students who fail to abide by the policies set forth by the Undergraduate Fellowships Program, the Haas Center for Public Service, and Stanford University will have low/no priority for future Haas Center funding opportunities and programs. The Haas Center reserves the right to rescind funding at any given point and time should they be apprised of any policy violations as outlined above.
More information about this fellowship opportunity is available through Cardinal Quarter. This program is one of more than 500 Cardinal Quarter opportunities through which Stanford students pursue a full-time summer or quarter-long public service experience with Stanford support. Check out Stanford University's Cardinal Service site.
