Environment and Policy Internships (EPIC)

2026 EPIC applications will open in December! Join us at an internship fair, info session, or read our FAQs to learn more!

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.  

Application Process

Applications will be due by 11:59pm PT on Monday, February 2, 2026 via the Stanford in Government common app (link available in December). 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 Awardees should respond promptly via email to our offer (within 48 hours), or the offer will be rescinded and offered to another candidate.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

  • Friday, November 14, 2025: Cardinal Quarter Opportunities Fair | 12:30-2:30pm | Tresidder Oak Lounge
  • Wednesday, November 19, 2025: Sustainability Internship Fair | 4-6pm | Hartley Conference Room in Mitchell Earth Sciences
  • Mid-December 2025: Applications open via Stanford in Government
  • January 14, 2026: In-person info session from 2-3pm in Y2E2 299 (this info session will be joint with other programs offering sustainability internships)
  • February 2, 2026 at 11:59pm PT: Applications close; late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  • Mid-February to early March 2026: Top candidates interview with host agency/organization teams
  • March 2026: Decisions announced on a rolling basis
  • Spring Quarter: Accepted students will complete orientation modules, draft a learning plan, meet with their assigned Stanford Academic Mentors, meet their cohort makes, connect with their host supervisor, and plan other logistics for a successful internship.
  • June 15 - July 6, 2026: Students begin their EPIC experiences and continue for 10 consecutive weeks

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. Students may not be serving a suspension and may not be on a Leave of Absence (LOA). 

Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, and Co-terms are eligible; Graduating seniors cannot apply for the February deadline, and are ineligible for additional financial aid beyond the base stipend. Graduating seniors may apply if there is a Round 2 deadline in the spring quarter. All students, including co-term students, must be in the undergraduate billing group in spring quarter (this is important!). Student athletes should confirm the impact of any awarded stipend on their athletic eligibility by contacting the Compliance Services Office prior to submitting their application. 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 Canvas 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 6, 2026; 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

*Failure to complete any of the requirements may result in the student's stipend being rescinded in part or in full.

Fundamental Standard

Violations of Undergraduate Fellowships program policies are violations of the Fundamental Standard and may be referred to the Office of Community Standards. Students who fail to abide by the policies set forth by the Undergraduate Fellowships Program, the Haas Center for Public Service, and Stanford University will have low/no priority for future Haas Center funding opportunities and programs. The Haas Center reserves the right to rescind funding at any given point and time should they be apprised of any policy violations as outlined above.

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 2026 EPIC Partners (descriptions coming soon)

  • CA Air Resources Board - Air Quality Planning and Science Division (CARB-AQPSD)
  • CA Air Resources Board - Office of Community Air Protection (CARB-OCAP)
  • CA Dept of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
  • CA Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation/Strategic Growth Council (LCI/SGC)
  • CA Ocean Protection Council (OPC)
  • CA State Lands Commission (SLC)
  • CA State Water Resources Control Board - Office of Information Management and Analysis (SWRCB-OIMA)
  • Earthworks
  • Environmental Working Group (EWG) - Environmental Health
  • Environmental Working Group (EWG) - GIS
  • Environmental Working Group (EWG) - Government Affairs
  • Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
  • Kauluakalana
  • Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA)
  • National Park Service - Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
  • Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC)
  • Resources for the Future (RFF)
  • San Francisco Environment Department (SFE)
  • Sierra Club
  • The Nature Conservancy (TNC) - NatureVest
  • World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - Forests and Nature Based Solutions
  • World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - Green Climate Fund
  • World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - Impact Investing

Still have a question? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions!

Helpful Links

Frequently Asked Questions
Past EPIC Cohorts
Stanford in Government Fellowship Website
SOLO Program Page

Contact Information

Jen Chiu
Program Manager
jchiu24@stanford.edu