Environmental Policy Internships in California (EPIC)

The EPIC application window is now closed. Please check back at the end of 2024 for details of our Summer 2025 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 and municipal agencies and decision-makers who are addressing these pressing environmental issues to create exciting summer fellowship placement opportunities for Stanford undergraduates.

The Stanford Woods Institute, 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 or 12 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 $7,500 - $9,000 stipend (for 10 weeks) or $9,000 - $10,500 (for 12 weeks of work), depending on financial need.  

2024 EPIC Partners

• California Air Resources Board, Office of Community Air Protection (CARB-OCAP)
• California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
• California Governor's Office of Planning and Research, Strategic Growth Council (OPR/SGC)
• California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) 
• California State Lands Commission (SLC)
• California State Water Resources Control Board - Office of Information Management and Analysis (SWRCB-OIMA)
• San Francisco Department of the Environment (SFE) - Clean Transportation Program
• San Francisco Environment Department - Toxics Reduction & Healthy Communities Team (SFE)
• Sierra Club (only 10-week option available)
  • Advancement Fellow
  • Analytics Fellow
  • Digital Strategies Fellow
  • Federal Communications Fellow
  • Federal Energy Campaign Strategy Fellow
  • Membership Growth Fellow
  • National Press Secretary Communications Fellow
  • Regional Communications Fellow
  • Social Media Fellow
  • Strategic Planning Fellow

Application Process

Please check back in late 2024 for details of our Summer 2025 opportunities, and more information on how to apply.  Applications are typically due in mid-February.

Application Timeline

• December 16, 2023: 1st round applications open
• January, 25, 2024 - 12-1pm: Info session in Y2E2 299 or via Zoom
• February 13, 2024: 1st round applications close
• Late February/early March: Top candidates interview with state and municipal agency teams
• Early/mid-March: 1st round decisions announced on a rolling basis
• April 7, 2024: 2nd round applications close
• Late April: 2nd round 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. 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 or 12 consecutive weeks (depending on which option you select)
  • 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
  • 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 8, 2024; 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.

Helpful Links

Stanford in Government Fellowship Website

Contact Information

Jen Chiu
Program Associate
jchiu24@stanford.edu