Funding Opportunities

Environmental Venture Projects (EVP)
Sponsor: Stanford Woods Institute
Eligibility: Academic Council
Deadline: Closed / expected to reopen in November

The Stanford Woods Institute EVP program provides seed grants from $10,000 to $250,000, for up to two years, for interdisciplinary research projects that seek to identify solutions to pressing problems of the environment and sustainability. Research projects are evaluated for their intellectual merit, potential to solve critical problems, the integration of the disciplinary strengths of the team and the project’s potential to secure additional funding.

Human and Planetary Health Early Career Awards (HPH-ECA)
Sponsor: Stanford Woods Institute
Eligibility: Early-Career Faculty from Academic Council and University Medical Lines
Deadline: Closed / expected to reopen in November

The new Center for Human and Planetary Health is pleased to offer Early Career Awards from $50,000 up to $200,000 over two years for research projects that seek solutions to pressing problems in human and planetary health. Proposals will be evaluated for intellectual merit, potential to address challenges in environmental health, an orientation around equity and justice, interdisciplinary approach, contribution to the PI’s career development, and the project’s potential to secure additional funding in the future.

Mel Lane Student Grants Program
Sponsor: Stanford Woods Institute
Eligibility: Students - Undergrad and Graduate 
Deadline: November 2026

In honor of environmental leader Mel Lane, the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment invites Stanford students to submit proposals for student-driven-and-managed environmental projects that make a measurable impact on an issue through action or applied academic research. Preference is given to projects that focus on environmental sustainability within one of the following topic areas: climate, ecosystem services and conservation, environmental health, environmental justice and equity, food security, freshwater, oceans, and sustainable development generally. We will also consider other areas within climate and sustainability.

Environment and Policy Internship Program (EPIC)
Sponsor: Stanford Woods Institute
Eligibility: Students - Undergrad 
Deadline: February 2, 2026

The Stanford Woods Institute, in collaboration with the Haas Center for Public Service, Stanford in Government, and the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, 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.