Environment and Policy Internships (EPIC)

2025 EPIC Round 2 applications close at 11:59pm PT on Thursday, April 3!

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.  

2025 EPIC Round 2

We are excited to announce a 2nd call for applications for (2) EPIC fellowships: 1) CA Department of Food and Agriculture, and 2) Environmental Working Group - Government Affairs. Applications for these placements are due at 11:59pm PT on Thursday, April 3. Please note the application process, timeline, eligibility, and requirements listed below prior to applying.

Application Process

Round 2 applications will be due by 11:59pm PT on Thursday, April 3, 2025 through the this form. Applicants will be asked to provide basic personal information, a resume, transcript, and cover letter for each opportunity of interest; only complete applications will be considered. 

After applications close, all submitted materials are reviewed, finalists will be interviewed by a team from the host organization, and candidates selected by the host organizations staff will be notified on a rolling basis. Awardees should respond promptly via email to our offer (within 48 hours), or the offer will be rescinded and offered to another candidate. Once an applicant accepts an 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. 

Application Timeline

  • Mid-December 2024: Round 1 applications open
  • January 16, 2025: In-person info session from 2-3pm in Y2E2 362
  • February 4, 2025 at 11:59pm PST: Round 1 applications close
  • Mid-February to early March 2025: Round 1 top candidates interview with host agency/organization teams
  • March 2025: Round 1 decisions announced on a rolling basis
  • March 19, 2025: Round 2 applications open
  • April 3, 2025 at 11:59pm PT: Round 2 applications close
  • Mid-April 2025: Round 2 top candidates interview with host agency/organization teams
  • Late April to early May 2025: Round 2 decisions announced on a rolling basis

Eligibility

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. Since this is the 2nd round, applications will be accepted from graduating seniors. All students, including 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
    • 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)
    • Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in spring quarter, as your schedule allows
    • Complete and submit all required forms and paperwork
  • Summer Quarter:
    • 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 Quarter:
    • Debrief with your academic mentor at least once
    • Attend a de-briefing meeting for the purpose of reflecting upon and evaluating summer experiences
    • Participate in outreach activities to share your experiences and help publicize the program

More information about this fellowship opportunity is available through Cardinal Quarter. This program is one of more than 500 Cardinal Quarter opportunities through which Stanford students pursue a full-time summer or quarter-long public service experience with Stanford support. Check out Stanford University's Cardinal Service site.

All 2025 EPIC Partners and Descriptions

Prefer to view all of the descriptions in one document? We've got you covered!

Helpful Links

Round 2 Application Link
All 2025 EPIC Internship Descriptions
Past EPIC Cohorts
Stanford in Government Fellowship Website
SOLO Program Page

Contact Information

Jen Chiu
Program Associate
jchiu24@stanford.edu