Schneider Summer Fellowships: U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Round 2 - Summer 2026
Through the Schneider Fellows program, Stanford students work at leading U.S. nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) 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.
Description of Organization
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to accelerating and scaling the transformation of the built environment. Through LEED—the world’s most widely used green building rating system— and initiatives likes Greenbuild, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy, USGBC empowers professionals to drive market transformation that advances human and environmental health, climate resilience, and equity.
Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) is the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body, independently recognizing excellence in performance. GBCI administers project certifications and professional credentials and certificates including LEED, WELL, EDGE, PEER, PERFORM, SITES, TRUE Zero Waste, and IREE.
We are proud to be globally recognized for our leadership in green building, environmental performance, and sustainable development.
Our Global Impact
- Over 120,000 LEED-certified commercial projects worldwide
- Millions of square feet of certified healthy, efficient, low-carbon space
- Recognition in 180+ countries for innovation in green building and business practices
Why Join Us?
At USGBC and GBCI, you’ll work alongside passionate, mission-aligned professionals who care deeply about people, the planet, and progress. We offer:
- A purpose-driven, inclusive culture
- Opportunities to grow your career and take ownership of meaningful work
- A chance to make a measurable impact on global sustainability efforts
- We’re seeking team members who thrive in collaborative environments, are committed to excellence, and want to build lasting partnerships that drive change in the built environment.
Meet Our Leaders and Learn More about our Mission:
Culture and Values Statement
Working together, each of us advances our mission by respecting all voices, trusting and supporting one another, excelling through collaboration and accountability, and continuously improving ourselves and our organization.
Public Policy Fellowship
As a Public Policy Fellow, you’ll have the opportunity to learn and contribute to advancing the goals of USGBC’s Advocacy & Policy Team. In this role, you’ll gain hands-on experience supporting projects and initiatives that help our team to deliver meaningful results aligned to our mission and strategic goals.
You’ll work under the guidance of the Associate Director, State & Local Advocacy and collaborate with a supportive team where your efforts and ideas will be valued.
KEY LEARNING AREAS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Collaborate with Advocacy and Policy staff on updates to USGBC’s Public Policy Library, which includes over 600 state and local policies across all 50 states.
- Support ongoing efforts to track, organize and analyze data on legislation and policymakers relevant to USGBC’s mission and initiatives.
- Manage research project(s) which enhance future outreach and engagement strategies and support of USGBC’s grassroot efforts, including the resulting materials and meeting/training preparations.
- Assist in drafting and revising policy fact sheets and talk points, policymaker letters and issue summaries.
- Participate in coalition and partner meetings.
- Experience a mission driven, nonprofit organization’s approach to changing the way buildings are designed, built, and operates through the levers of public policy.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Enrollment in relevant major: public policy, government, environmental policy, urban planning, environmental studies, engineering, or related fields.
Technical Tools
- Microsoft Office Suite
Skills
- Excellent critical thinking and research skills
- Excellent writing skills, including the ability to articulate clearly and develop persuasive arguments tailored to the target audience
- High level of comfort in initiating outreach
- Demonstrated interest in government and policy
- Positive team attitude and proactive teamwork
INTERN LOGISTICS
Location: This position is remote in the continental U.S.
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM local time zone, with some flexibility on the schedule
Start Date: June 22, 2026
EEO Statement
The U.S. Green Building Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Eligibility:
For complete eligibility requirements, please review our program policies in its entirety.
Applicants must be:
- enrolled at Stanford for the spring quarter 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 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.
