Environment and Policy Internships (EPIC)
Pursue environment, sustainability, and policy internships with leading not-for-profit organizations, and state and municipal agencies in California, nationwide, and internationally.
Since 2017, the Stanford Woods Institute and the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability have identified leading not-for-profit organizations, and key state and municipal agencies who are addressing pressing environmental issues to create exciting summer fellowship placement opportunities for Stanford undergraduates. The EPIC program has opportunities locally in the Bay Area, throughout California, nationwide, and internationally.
The Stanford Woods Institute, part of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and in collaboration with the Haas Center for Public Service and Stanford in Government, offers undergraduates paid summer fellowships that provide a hands-on introduction to environmental policy work. The fellowships are full-time (35-40 hours/week) for 10 consecutive weeks. Students who are selected will receive mentoring from environmental professionals and directly contribute to solving important sustainability challenges that are facing the public. EPIC fellows receive a $8,000 - $9,500 stipend , depending on financial need.
Stanford undergraduates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, and applicants may vary in academic interests, public service involvement, and experience. Learn more about our previous EPIC cohorts! Students must be enrolled for winter and spring quarters of this year and be in good academic standing to be eligible for a fellowship. Applications will only be accepted from students who will be enrolled as undergraduates for the following academic year, so unfortunately, graduating seniors cannot apply. The one exception to this rule is seniors who will be working toward a co-term degree during the following academic year. Co-term students must be in the undergraduate billing group in spring quarter. Please refer to the Haas Center for Public Service's website for additional Cardinal Quarter Undergraduate Fellowship Program Policies and Requirements.
Note: students are only eligible for one Stanford-funded full-time experiential learning opportunity during the summer, and are not permitted to engage in another full-time internship, job, coursework, or volunteer opportunity. Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own housing and transportation during the fellowship.
REQUIREMENTS
SPRING quarter:
- Commit to working full-time (35-40 hours week) for 10 consecutive weeks
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Complete an online program orientation through the Haas Center for Public Service
- This will include designing a personal learning plan that you will share with your site supervisor and academic mentor
- Complete the Engaging in Ethical and Effective Service in-person workshop or worksheet
- If you are working internationally, complete the International Academy Canva course, and participate in pre-departure orientation with Stanford Global Risk
- Meet with your assigned Stanford academic mentor at least once prior to the start of the fellowship (more check-ins during and after your experience are encouraged)
- Meet with your host supervisor to discuss your summer workflow and prepare for the experience
- Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in spring quarter, as your schedule allows
- Complete and submit all required forms and paperwork
SUMMER:
- Engage in your full-time fellowship (starting no later than July 7, 2025; exact start date to be determined with your site supervisor)
- Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in the summer, as your schedule allows
- Submit a mid-summer evaluation
- Submit a final project report, complete a program evaluation, and correspond with donor(s) as requested by program staff
FALL:
- Debrief with your academic mentor at least once
- Attend a de-briefing meeting with Woods Institute and SDSS program staff for the purpose of reflecting upon and evaluating summer experiences
- Participate in outreach activities to share your experiences and help publicize the program
