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Environmental Policy Internships in California (EPIC)

Click here to apply for the 2023 EPIC opportunity with the CA Ocean Protection Council.
(Applications are closed for all other 2023 opportunities.)

The State of California is a leader in developing cutting-edge policies in response to climate change and other environmental and natural resource challenges.  Other states, the federal government and nations follow and seek to imitate California's forward-thinking public policy efforts. The Stanford Woods Institute identifies key state agencies and decision-makers who are addressing these pressing environmental issues to create exciting summer internship placement opportunities for Stanford undergraduates.

The Woods Institute, in collaboration with the Haas Center for Public Service and Stanford in Government, offers Stanford undergraduates paid summer internships that provide a hands-on introduction to environmental policy work. The internships 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 $6,500 - $8,000 stipend, depending on financial need. 

2023 EPIC Partners (click for internship descriptions)

 
ELIGIBILITY
Stanford undergraduates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, and applicants may vary in academic interests, public service involvement, and experience. Applications will only be accepted from students who will be enrolled as undergraduates for the following academic year, so graduating seniors cannot apply. Students must be enrolled for winter and spring quarters of this year and be in good academic standing to be eligible for a fellowship. The one exception to this rule is that seniors who will be working toward a co-term degree during the following academic year are allowed to apply.  Co-term students must not have their undergraduate degree conferred in spring or summer 2023 to be eligible.
 

Note: Students are only eligible for one Stanford-funded full-time experiential learning opportunity during the summer. Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own housing and transportation during the internship.

REQUIREMENTS
SPRING quarter:

  • Complete an online orientation
  • Attend the Engaging in Ethical and Effective Service workshop and/or worksheet
  • Meet with academic mentor at least once
  • Design a personal learning plan and share the plan with site supervisor and academic mentor
  • Commit to working full-time (35-40 hours week) for 10 consecutive weeks
  • Submit all required online forms and paperwork
 

SUMMER:

  • Submit a brief preliminary report
  • Submit a final project report, complete a program evaluation, and correspond with donor(s) as requested by program staff


FALL:

  • Debrief with academic mentors at least once
  • Attend a de-briefing meeting for the purpose of reflecting upon and evaluating summer experiences
  • Participate in outreach activity to share your experiences and help publicize the program

APPLICATION
CA Ocean Protection Council application
Applications for all other 2023 opportunities are closed.  Please check back in late Fall/early Winter for information about our Summer 2024 offerings and a link to the application.

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.

Helpful Links

All 2023 Internship Descriptions

Contact Information

Jen Chiu
Program Associate
jchiu24@stanford.edu