United States of America (Stanford off-campus)

Schneider Summer Fellowships: California Forward - Summer 2026

Description of Organization

California Forward (CA FWD) is a multi-partisan, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization building a New California Economy that is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. We support economic growth using a regions-up approach, stewarding state resources, driving the energy transition, and building resilience in the face of a changing climate.

CA FWD has two Schneider Fellowship positions available for summer 2026.

Fellowship 1: Industrial (R)Evolution Fellow

California is at the leading edge of a transformation from the industries and energy systems of the Industrial Revolution to a more innovative, resilient, and sustainable economy. Through its Industrial (R)Evolution program, CA FWD pursues policies and programs to ensure that California’s new industrial economy includes advanced manufacturing and supply chains that generate tangible benefits for people and communities across our diverse regions.

The Industrial (R)Evolution intern will conduct research and analysis to advance CA FWD’s efforts on energy and industrial transformation strategies that benefit California’s economy. Specifically, the intern will support the development of statewide roadmaps for two competitive clean energy/circular economy sectors that have the potential to transform diverse regions across the state: battery supply chains and the bioeconomy. Roadmaps will include technoeconomic analysis, asset mapping and other place-based competitiveness analysis, and research into current regional planning programs and implementation strategies. In this work, the Fellow will do desktop research as well as engaging directly with industry, non-profit, and government leaders.

The Fellow will work directly with the CEO of CA FWD as well as expert consultants.

Specific tasks may include:

Summarize and review literature related to the battery supply chain and bioeconomy, including existing proposals to develop these sectors in California (e.g., applications for various state, federal, and private sector programs).
Conduct analysis to understand opportunities and gaps for strengthening clean energy industries in California.
Track and document key themes emerging from stakeholder interviews and landscape analysis to inform roadmap development.

Coordinate deadlines and deliverables with multiple authors and stakeholders.

Work Location and Start Date

CA FWD is a fully remote organization; ideally this position will be based within the state of California, and may include in-state travel. Fellows must begin work by June 22, 2026.

Application Requirements

Resume (Required)

Please provide a 1–2-page resume that includes information about your academic background and work experience. Feel free to add additional sections that highlight any relevant leadership roles, coursework, volunteer history, or academic projects.

Cover Letter (Required)

Please provide a one-page cover letter describing your interest in the Industrial (R)evolution internship and experience with economics/economic development, supply chains, public policy, industrial policy, or related areas.

Reference (Required)

Please provide the name of one reference.

General Qualifications

Currently enrolled as an undergraduate or master-level graduate student.
Undergraduate or graduate (preferred) student in Business, Economics, Energy Science & Engineering, Energy Innovation & Emerging Technologies, or a related field.
Knowledge of or interest in energy policy, climate policy, low-carbon technologies, and economic development. Specific knowledge in battery storage, electric grid, or electric vehicle technology is a plus.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and research findings clearly for diverse audiences.
Demonstrated experience in research and analysis, including qualitative methods (e.g., literature reviews, interviews) and/or quantitative techniques (e.g., survey analysis, data cleaning).
Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. Experience working with data visualization, Airtable, or GIS tools is a bonus, but not required.
Organized and self-directed, with attention to detail and timelines.

Fellowship 2: Carbon Accounting Fellow

California is on the cusp of enacting climate disclosure laws covering both Scope 1-3 emissions and material climate risk–laws that will affect hundreds of thousands of companies doing business in the state and across the world. Given California’s size as the fourth largest economy in the world, these bills will have outsize impact and may serve as a model for disclosure nationally and internationally.

CA FWD plays an essential role in identifying policy and implementation interventions that drive pragmatic, operational solutions to our climate challenges. To that end, the organization is engaging in work across a set of carbon intensive, hard to decarbonize industries (oil, gas, agriculture, cement, steel, etc) doing business in California, to identify approaches to carbon accounting that do not only check regulatory boxes, but fundamentally change how these businesses operate. The Carbon Accounting Fellow will work with CA FWD’s industry advisory council and industry partners to explore accounting pathways that can truly drive decarbonization, energy transition, and resilience across supply chains and operatonis–including investigating E-Liablities/E-Ledger and similar approaches.

Specific tasks may include:

Summarize and review literature on carbon accounting approaches used internationally (e.g. under the GhG Protocol, CSRB, TCFD) including case studies of implementation challenges and opportunities.
Deep dive into alternative carbon accounting approaches, e.g. E-Liablities/E-Ledger and other direct accounting methods, to determine applicability especially in carbon intensive industries doing business in California
Engage with CA FWD’s Industry Advisory Council members and partner organizations including CCEEB, the American Alliance for Manufacturing, and other key stakeholders to better understand approaches to current and proposed disclosure frameworks, including actual business operations change resulting from disclosure (if applicable).
Track and document key themes emerging from stakeholder interviews and landscape analysis to inform policy proposals.
Direct engagement with CA state government officials, including at the Air Resources Board, on key policy proposals emerging from research.

Work Location and Start Date

CA FWD is a fully remote organization; ideally this position will be based within the state of California, and may include in-state travel. Fellows must begin work by June 22, 2026.

Application Requirements

Resume (Required)

Cover Letter (Required)

Please provide a one-page cover letter describing your interest in the Carbon Accounting fellowship and experience with accounting standards, supply chains, public policy, industrial policy, or related areas.

Reference (Required)

Please provide the name of one reference.

General Qualifications

Currently enrolled as an undergraduate or master-level graduate student.
Undergraduate or graduate (preferred) student in Business, Economics, Energy Science & Engineering, Energy Innovation & Emerging Technologies, or a related field.
Knowledge of or interest in energy policy, climate policy, low-carbon technologies, and economic development. Specific knowledge in battery storage, electric grid, or electric vehicle technology is a plus.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and research findings clearly for diverse audiences.
Demonstrated experience in research and analysis, including qualitative methods (e.g., literature reviews, interviews) and/or quantitative techniques (e.g., survey analysis, data cleaning).
Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. Experience working with data visualization, Airtable, or GIS tools is a bonus, but not required.
Organized and self-directed, with attention to detail and timelines.

Eligibility and Requirements:

Eligibility:

For complete eligibility requirements, please review our program policies in its entirety.

Applicants must be:

enrolled at Stanford for the winter and spring quarters of this academic year (2025-26); and
be in good academic standing and not on suspension

Undergraduates and graduate students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, and applicants may vary in academic interests, public service involvement, and experience. Priority will be given to students who have completed fewer than two previous Cardinal Quarter opportunities.

First year students (frosh) are not eligible for this summer fellowship opportunity.

Requirements:

Selected Fellows are expected to begin service by June 22, 2026 for this summer fellowship. All fellows are required to work with their community partners full-time (35-40 hours) for twelve consecutive weeks at their placements. Other commitments include the following:

Quarter before fellowship

Complete an online program orientation.
Complete the Engaging in Ethical and Effective Service workshop or worksheet.
Attend Schneider Fellows cohort session(s)
Identify and meet with an on-campus mentor at least once.
Design a personal learning plan and share the learning plan with site supervisor and on-campus mentor.
Complete all required pre-orientation forms.

During fellowship

Submit a brief preliminary report.
Submit a final report, complete a program evaluation, and correspond with fellowship donor(s) as requested by fellowships program staff.

Quarter after fellowship

Meet with on-campus mentor at least once.
Participate in outreach activities to share the experience and help publicize the program.

Selection Process:

For those who seek assistance, advising is available at the Haas Center to help students develop their applications.

This fellowship is intended for individuals whose application, references, and interview demonstrate

an integration of the fellowship experience with applicant’s academic, personal and/or career goals
prior demonstrated interest or involvement in the subject area, including related coursework
a compelling match between applicant’s skills and interests and an organization’s work and needs
strong potential for the fellowship experience to deepen a candidate’s understanding of an identified community issue or challenge

Complete applications are screened, finalists interviewed, and fellows selected by our partner organizations with the intention to award fellowships within six weeks of the application deadline. Applicants are responsible for checking their Stanford email (including Spam folders) and responding promptly to interview invitations. Failure to respond to an interview invitation will result in withdrawal of the application.

Applicants should respond promptly (within 48 hours) via email to a fellowship offer, or the offer will be rescinded. Once an applicant accepts a fellowship offer, the student should promptly notify all other Stanford and non-Stanford programs to which they have applied that they have accepted another offer and to withdraw their candidacy.

Amount

$11500

Opportunity Type:

Internship

Public Service

Cardinal Service

Contact:

Valerie Chow

Email: vychow@stanford.edu