Urban Studies Fellowship Summer 2018
The Urban Studies Summer Fellowship provides undergraduates with the opportunity to complement their academic studies with a full-time, paid internship experience during the summer at an organization of their choice. Preference will be given to Urban Studies majors, but all Stanford undergraduates are eligible to apply. The fellowship placement should be with government agencies or non-profit organizations committed to public service, public policy, community development or research on urban issues. Students are expected to work on-site for a minimum of 40 hours per week for 8 weeks during the summer.
The Summer 2018 application deadline is February 6, 2018 at 11:59PM PST. Letters of support from community partners are due by February 16, 2018. Applicants will be notified of their status by Friday, March 16, 2018.
Fellows receive $6,000 upon completion of the fellowship. This stipend is meant to support a student’s full time commitment to their 8-week summer internship. Students cannot not hold part-time jobs or other paid positions during this time. Funds may be used for expenses associated with the internship including housing, travel, supplies and equipment purchases, and may also include a stipend. Students are expected to submit a budget of estimated costs during the spring quarter. Upon confirmation of a student’s partnering organization, an additional honorarium will be provided to the organization for their supervising and mentoring services. Following University policy, the Urban Studies Summer Fellowship cannot fund travel to countries on the State Department’s travel warning list.
- Full-time paid summer internship at an organization of your choice.
- Work on-site for a minimum of 40 hours per week for 8 weeks during the summer.
- The fellowship placement with government agencies or non-profit organizations committed to public service, public policy, community development or research on urban issues.
Priority will be given to undergraduate students:
- In the Urban Studies major;
- In their junior year working on an honors thesis or senior project addressing urban issues;
- In the Urban Studies minor;
- With demonstrated pre-field preparation;
- Whose proposed summer fellowship articulates a strong interest in urban issues and provides value for the on-site community partner.
Fellowship Expectations
1) Identify a Partner Organization
Before applying for the Urban Studies Fellowship, students should identify and secure the support of an on-site supervisor at a potential organization to guide the fellowship experience. Letters of support are required for the application.
2) Prepare for the Fellowship
Students who are awarded the fellowship should demonstrate adequate preparation, and when necessary, should enroll in an appropriate preparation course in the quarter prior to beginning work in the summer. During the spring quarter, students will also work with Urban Studies staff to finalize arrangements with their placement site to ensure that the internship meets their academic and personal goals. They should meet one-on-one with the Assistant Director of Urban Studies for Community-Based Learning and participate in an orientation prior to the summer fellowship.
3) Participate in Ongoing Reflection
Throughout the summer, students will participate in a midterm and final evaluation with the on-site supervisor and Assistant Director of Urban Studies for Community-Based Learning. Urban Studies Fellows contribute write weekly reflections to identify challenges and accomplishments during the course of the fellowship experience. They are expected to participate in online and/or face-to-face sessions with the Assistant Director of Urban Studies for Community-Based Learning and other fellows during the summer.
4) Contribute to the Urban Studies Community
Upon completion of the fellowship and returning to campus in the Fall, students will submit a final report about their fellowship experiences and will organize and present in a forum to share their experiences with other fellows, faculty, community members, and interested students. Fellows are also encouraged to participate in the Symposium of Undergraduate Research and Public Service (SURPS).
