Schneider Summer Fellowships: RMI 2026
Through the Schneider Fellows program, Stanford students work at leading U.S. nongovernmental organizations in the sustainable energy field. Schneider Summer Fellows spend a summer quarter tackling the world’s economic, environmental, social, and technical challenges associated with harnessing energy resources to deliver energy services.
Fellows receive a stipend of $11,500 for a 12-week summer fellowship. Additional funding of up to $1500 is available for fellowship-related travel.
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to secure a prosperous, resilient, clean energy future for all. In collaboration with businesses, policymakers, funders, communities, and other partners, RMI drives investment to scale clean energy solutions, reduce energy waste, and boost access to affordable clean energy in ways that enhance security, strengthen the economy, and improve people’s livelihoods. RMI is active in over 50 countries.
Our Mission: To transform the global energy system to secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all.
Two selected RMI interns from Stanford will be designated as Schneider Fellows.
Transform your career with RMI
RMI believes that diverse voices and experiences are essential in addressing today’s energy challenges. Interns arrive as students and leave as early career professionals ready to impact the world! Whether it’s through improving energy systems in vulnerable regions, brainstorming new ways to increase environmental equity for low-income households, or using your creative talent to design inclusive social media templates – mold and shape your career with RMI.
Internship Program Overview
RMI welcomes a group of interns every summer into their three-month internship program, and you could be a part of it! This rewarding experience will fully integrate you into an existing or new project where your ideas, opinions, and assistance are valued. To learn more, please visit https://rmi.org/about/careers/internships/.
Timeline
This internship will begin on Tuesday, June 16th, 2026 – Friday, September 4th, 2026. No exceptions can be made to these dates.
Focus Areas
In your cover letter, please identify up to two focus areas that you would like to be considered for. Keep reading below for additional information about the cover letter requirements.
- Finance / Accounting
- Policy Innovation and Impact
- Sustainable Buildings and Design
- Urban and Community Engagement
- Sector Research and Insights
- Data Analytics and Visualization
- Technology Systems and Solutions
- Project and Operations Management
- Media Relations and Communications
Application Requirements
Resume (Required)
RMI suggests a 1–2-page resume that includes information about your academic background and work experience. Feel free to add additional sections that highlight any leadership roles you’ve held, relevant coursework, volunteer history, academic projects that you’ve completed, conference presentations, or any articles that have been published.
Cover Letter (Required)
Answer the following questions below as part of your cover letter submission. This is a chance for RMI to learn more about you outside of your resume.
- Please identify which focus area(s) you would like to be considered for, and what personal experiences inspired your interest and passion in environmental or energy causes.
- What do you hope to learn or accomplish during an internship at RMI, and how do you see this experience shaping your future in the field of energy and sustainability?
General Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in college, preferably as a junior or senior. RMI also considers master level graduate students and recent graduates as well. At this time, doctoral applicants are better suited for RMI's Associate positions.
- You have completed classes, projects, labs, or experiences related to the focus area(s) you have identified.
- You are comfortable working with datasets and conducting research.
- You are passionate about clean energy, sustainability, environmental equity, and/or decarbonization.
- You feel a commitment to creating a more inclusive, equitable future in clean energy.
- You’re comfortable with communication and excited to collaborate with peers.
- You enjoy responsibility and take pride in your work.
- You have the permanent, legal right to work in the U.S. RMI is unable to sponsor visas for interns.
Benefits
Schneider Fellows receive a stipend of $11,500 for a 12-week summer fellowship. Additional funding of up to $1500 is available for fellowship-related travel.
- Mental Health Days and Holidays
- Fully remote and hybrid work options
- You will experience a fun internship by participating in summer activities including team retreats, and professional development workshops like resume and job search tips!
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We know that the diversity of our teams makes us stronger as an organization, and RMI is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity as outlined in U.S. federal law. We prohibit discrimination against applicants, interns, and employees on the basis of any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to: age (40 and over), race, color, sex, pregnancy (including lactation, childbirth, or related medical conditions), religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender expression/identity, uniformed service member status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other applicable status protected by applicable law.
RMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Location
RMI is a remote-ready organization with team members around the globe. RMI's beautiful and welcoming offices are available for meetings or focused work, whether you are traveling through or living nearby. RMI's U.S. offices are in New York City; Washington DC; Oakland, California; Boulder, Colorado; and Basalt, Colorado.
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.
Requirements:
Selected Fellows are expected to begin service on June 16, 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.
