Explore Energy is a cross-campus effort of the Precourt Institute for Energy.

Shultz 2026 Fellowships

Information Sessions

Please click below to view the presentations from the recent info sessions.

Please contact Katie Taflan Cerneka with any questions.

2026 Fellowships: Applications are now closed. 

California Air Resources Board, Freight Technology Advancement Branch (UG)
California Air Resources Board, Sustainable Transportation and Communities Division (Grad)
California Department of Water Resources, Power Operations Management (Grad)
California Department of Water Resources, Power Operations Management (UG)
California Energy Commission, Energy Research & Development Division (UG & Grad)
California Energy Commission, Executive Office (Grad)
California Energy Commission, Office of Commissioner Noemí Gallardo (UG & Grad)
California Energy Commission, Office of Vice Chair Siva Gunda (Open to: Junior, Senior, Co-term, Master's, PhD)
California Independent System Operator, Market Analysis and Forecasting (Grad)
California Independent System Operator, Transmission Planning and Infrastructure Development (UG)
California Public Utilities Commission, Energy Division (Open to: Junior, Senior, Co-term, Master's, PhD)
California Public Utilities Commission, Safety Policy Division (Grad)
City of Palo Alto Utilities, The Karl Knapp Energy Fellow in City Government (Grad)
Nevada Clean Energy Fund, Clean Energy Investments Fellow (Grad)
Nevada Clean Energy Fund, Clean Energy Leadership Fellow (Grad)
Western Electricity Coordinating Council (Open to both undergrad & grad students)
Western Interstate Energy Board, Community Wildfire Risk and Resilience Strategies in the West (Grad)
Western Interstate Energy Board, Community Wildfire Risk and Resilience Strategies in the West (UG)

Application Timeline

  • Mid-December: Application window opens
  • January 27, 2026: Application window closes
  • February: Interviews
  • Early March: Decisions announced

Eligibility

  • The program is open to all Stanford students in good academic standing.
  • Co-term students who've switched to graduate student billing by Spring Quarter 2026 are eligible to apply for graduate fellowships. Co-term students on undergraduate billing status as of Spring Quarter 2026 should apply for undergraduate fellowships.
  • All Shultz fellows must be enrolled in the spring quarter before their Shultz fellowship and take a one-unit workshop spring course, 'Energy Policy in California and the West'. Absolutely no exceptions are made to this rule.

Application Process

  • Stanford students may apply for Shultz Energy Fellowship positions through the Stanford Off-Campus Learning Opportunities (SOLO) portal.
  • Students may apply to and rank up to five Shultz Energy Fellowships for which to be considered.
  • Representatives from the host organizations will evaluate applications to determine up to five finalists to be interviewed for each position. 

For each opportunity, a complete application includes all of the following:

  • Current resume/CV
  • One-page cover letter, detailing applicant's interest and qualifications for the opportunity
  • Writing sample
  • Unofficial Stanford transcript
  • List of pertinent courses
  • Acknowledgment of University Policies and COVID-19
  • Acknowledgment of spring quarter course requirement
  • Fellowship opportunities ranking (if applicable) 

2026 Commitment

In addition to fulfilling the fellowship position over the summer, all fellows will also need to complete the following:

Spring 2026

  • Take a one-unit workshop spring course, 'Energy Policy in California and the West' that will provide an in-depth analysis of the role of California state agencies, the Western Interstate Energy Board, and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council in driving energy policy development, technology innovation, and market structures. Course number is CEE 263G / POLISCI 73 / PUBLPOL 73 / ENERGY 73. Schedule: Wednesdays from 1:30-2:50pm. Please note: You can only enroll in the course after getting approved for the fellowship and receiving a permission number.
  • Submit all required online forms and paperwork.
  • Meet with your host organization mentor at least once.

Summer 2026

  • Submit a blog post(s).
  • Schedule a host organization lunch or similar activity.
  • Submit a final work-related deliverable, complete a program evaluation, and correspond with donor(s) as requested by program staff.
  • The 2026 fellowship runs from Monday, June 22 to Friday, August 28.

Fall 2026

  • Participate in at least one outreach activity to share your experience and help publicize the program.

Housing & Travel

Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own housing and transportation during the fellowship.