Susan Heck Summer Internship
Susan Heck, one of the founders of the Clayman Institute for Gender Research and former Clayman Institute Advisory Council member, had a keen interest in two particular issues. One was the importance of including undergraduates in the Institute’s work and providing them with mentorship. The other was assisting underserved populations, such as low-income individuals and women of color.
The Clayman Institute for Gender Research offers a dynamic and life-changing summer internship to Stanford University undergraduates. The internship combines the two issues Susan Heck was most passionate about by enhancing our training and mentorship of undergraduates while they work on a project that focuses on an underserved population.
The Susan Heck Summer Student Internship is open to Stanford undergraduates. During the internship, students will work on a gender-related research project and attend weekly intern workshops and events. At the end of the summer internship program, Susan Heck interns will be expected to present their research to the Institute. In addition, interns will work with Clayman Institute staff members and researchers on additional projects, and will have the opportunity to get valuable research and work experience in a dynamic office environment.
The Clayman Institute welcomes and encourages the participation of applicants of all identities and backgrounds.
One Internship Program, Two Research Pathways
Pathway One is designed for students who are motivated and eager to explore gender and feminist research but need guidance in shaping their research questions and developing the skills to carry out a project. These students will work closely with researchers on one of the Institute’s ongoing research projects. This pathway provides hands-on exposure to the full research process—including question development, data collection, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and academic writing. By the end of the internship, students will present the contributions they made to the project and outline possible directions for future research.
Pathway Two is designed for students who already have a well-defined research question and some prior training. With close mentorship from their research mentor, these students will engage deeply in the analytical process, working toward early-stage results. Their final presentation will highlight their research question, analytical approach, and preliminary findings.
Dates and stipend
- The internship will run from June 22 - August 28, 2026.
- It will be a full-time position (40 hours per week) paid with a $8,500 stipend.
- Meet with the director of programs and their research mentor on a weekly basis. Attend all activities and events published in the Intern Calendar (will be shared at the beginning of the program).
- Complete and submit all assignments, evaluations, and other documents according to the calendar the mentor and student agree upon at the start of the internship
- Prepare and submit a research paper and/or final project (exact format to be determined after discussion with the intern's mentor)
- Write an article about the research paper/project and internship experience for the Institute's e-newsletter and/or annual magazine
- Prepare and deliver a presentation of the research project at the end of the internship.
The Susan Heck Summer Internship program is open only to current Stanford undergraduate students.
Students wishing to participate in the internship must meet all of the following criteria:
- Students must be enrolled in units while using grant funding, except during the Summer.
- Students must be in the undergraduate (not graduate) tuition group while using grant funding.
- Graduating seniors are not eligible for funding in the summer after degree conferral.
- Students may not be serving a suspension.
- Students may not be on a Leave of Absence (LOA) while using grant funding. Students who have been on a LOA for three (3) consecutive quarters prior to the funding period are not eligible.
The Institute strongly supports and encourages a diverse and inclusive community.
Selected students will be expected to complete 40 hours of work each week. Participants must be willing to devote full-time to the program during the 10-week session. Due to the intense research schedule, Susan Heck interns may not engage in any additional full-time internship, job, or volunteer positions whether funded by Stanford or another source. Participants may only hold one full-time commitment during the Summer. Participation in any additional part-time opportunity must receive prior written approval from the research mentor, director of programs, and institute director. Lastly, participants should refrain from taking classes (academic classes or test prep classes) during the internship program.
