Program details & application

One Internship Program, Two Research Pathways

Pathway One is designed for students who are motivated and eager to explore gender and feminist research but need guidance in shaping their research questions and developing the skills to carry out a project. These students will work closely with researchers on one of the Institute’s ongoing research projects. This pathway provides hands-on exposure to the full research process—including question development, data collection, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and academic writing. By the end of the internship, students will present the contributions they made to the project and outline possible directions for future research. 

Pathway Two is designed for students who already have a well-defined research question and some prior training. With close mentorship from their research mentor, these students will engage deeply in the analytical process, working toward early-stage results. Their final presentation will highlight their research question, analytical approach, and preliminary findings.

Dates and stipend

  • The internship will run from June 22 - August 28, 2026.
  • It will be a full-time position (40 hours per week) paid with a $8,500 stipend.

Eligibility

The Susan Heck Summer Internship program is open only to current Stanford undergraduate students.

Students wishing to participate in the internship must meet all of the following criteria: 

  • Students must be enrolled in units while using grant funding, except during the Summer.
  • Students must be in the undergraduate (not graduate) tuition group while using grant funding.
  • Graduating seniors are not eligible for funding in the summer after degree conferral.
  • Students may not be serving a suspension.
  • Students may not be on a Leave of Absence (LOA) while using grant funding. Students who have been on a LOA for three (3) consecutive quarters prior to the funding period are not eligible.

The Institute strongly supports and encourages a diverse and inclusive community.

Expectations for participating interns

Selected students will be expected to complete 40 hours of work each week.  Participants must be willing to devote full-time to the program during the 10-week session.  Due to the intense research schedule, Susan Heck interns may not engage in any additional full-time internship, job, or volunteer positions whether funded by Stanford or another source. Participants may only hold one full-time commitment during the Summer. Participation in any additional part-time opportunity must receive prior written approval from the research mentor, director of programs, and institute director. Lastly, participants should refrain from taking classes (academic classes or test prep classes) during the internship program.

In addition, participants are expected to:

  • Contact their mentor before the start of the summer session to discuss the research project and complete any pre-work or reading material
  • Work on their research for 40 hours per week
  • Meet with the director of programs and their research mentor on a weekly basis
  • Attend all activities and events published in the Intern Calendar (will be shared at the beginning of the program)
  • Complete and submit all assignments, evaluations, and other documents according to the calendar the mentor and student agree upon at the start of the internship
  • Prepare and submit a research paper and/or final project (exact format to be determined after discussion with the intern's mentor)
  • Write an article about the research paper/project and internship experience for the Institute's e-newsletter and/or annual magazine
  • Prepare and deliver a presentation of the research project at the end of the internship

How to apply

Applications are now open and are due on March 15, 2026. 

Applications Requirements: 

  • Resume
  • Personal statement. (Please answer these questions in your personal statement: Who are you and why apply for this internship? What do you know about the Clayman Institute? Have you attended any events? What do you hope to gain and how does this enhance your understanding of gender? What will you contribute to the Institute?)
  • Research Statement.
    • Pathway One Applicants: Please review the list of ongoing projects at the institute. Select two projects from the list of research projects that interest you and elaborate on the academic, personal, or other reasons for your interest. Additionally, specify the skills and experiences you possess that are applicable to this project or those you wish to acquire through your involvement.
    • Pathway Two Applicants: Please include the following components in your research statement: a clear statement of your research question, background knowledge of your research topic, anticipated contributions to the field of gender studies, project design and methods, as well as a proposed timeline for the project.

If you have any other questions about the internship program, please contact gender-email [at] stanford.edu (gender-email[at]stanford[dot]edu).