2026 Shultz Energy Fellowships: California Energy Commission, Office of Vice Chair Siva Gunda
Regional-, state-, and city-level efforts are essential in our fight against climate change, especially in the field of energy. Stanford University is committed to helping by integrating its students into energy and climate ecosystems in the West through the Shultz Energy Fellowships program, an energy-related summer fellowship program for undergraduate and graduate students.
Named in honor of former Secretary of State George P. Shultz, one of the most widely admired American public servants of the past half-century, the program offers a suite of paid, energy-related public service fellowships for Stanford students in California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah during the summer.
The fellowship runs from Monday, June 22, 2026 to Friday, August 28, 2026.
Organization/Agency mission or role in state government
The California Energy Commission is leading the state to a 100 percent clean energy future for all. As the state's primary energy policy and planning agency, the Energy Commission plays a critical role in creating the energy system of the future - one that is clean, is modern, and ensures the fifth largest economy in the world continues to thrive.
Potential Projects
The Shultz Fellow placed in the Office of Vice Chair Siva Gunda will have the opportunity to work on the following projects:
- Petroleum/refinery transition: 3-month long research project working with our Chief Economist, Vice Chair Office, and other subject matter experts to answer econometric questions related to gasoline prices, including spot markets, inventory levels, supply chain issues, imports, electric vehicle deployment, and labor.
- Natural gas transition: Prepare a brief, integrated study of gas system decommissioning in other states and countries, highlighting key drivers, what’s working, and lessons for California. Address links to electrification and alternatives, changes to ratemaking, community and advocacy roles, and a short historical parallel to the shift from gas to electric lighting. Include a high-level overview of workforce transition strategies supporting gas and oil workers during decarbonization.
Work Environment
This is a hybrid opportunity.
Potential Mentors
- Raja Ramesh, Senior Policy Advisor to Vice Chair Gunda
- Also working directly with the Vice Chair, Chief of Staff, and other advisors in the office.
Desired Skills
Economic analysis, data analysis, energy transition historical analysis, ability of understand interactions of electric, gas, and petroleum markets, clear writing and communication, self-starter/entrepreneurial, and curiosity!
All Shultz Fellows must be enrolled in the spring quarter before their fellowship.
All Shultz Fellows must take a one-unit spring workshop course, 'Energy Policy in California and the West' that will provide an in-depth analysis of the role of California state agencies, the Western Interstate Energy Board, and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council in driving energy policy development, technology innovation, and market structures. Course number is CEE 263G / POLISCI 73 / PUBLPOL 73 / ENERGY 73. Schedule: Wednesdays from 1:30 pm - 2:50 pm.
