Photo by Melina Walling
American West Internships
About the internships
Every summer, the Bill Lane Center for the American West offers many opportunities for Stanford undergraduates (including graduating seniors, co-terminal and master's students) to work with organizations throughout the American West. Through these internships, students can explore careers in conservation, ecology, ecosystems, energy, entomology, finance, fisheries, land use, literature, policy, politics, regenerative agriculture, resource management, water, and more.
Students who complete any Bill Lane Center internship are also eligible for the public service Cardinal Quarter certification, offered in partnership with the Haas Center for Public Service. Students receive a notation on their transcript after completing all Cardinal Quarter requirements.
Host organizations are confirmed by early December and student applications are available on the SOLO portal by mid-December. Below find information about our American West Internship opportunities. Internship locations fluctuate by year, though many organizations partner with us on an ongoing basis.
Application process
The student application deadline for the summer 2026 opportunities was Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 11:59pm. Applications are now closed.
To learn more about the application process, visit our Internships Overview page and visit the FAQs page.
Preference is given to students who have not previously been awarded a Bill Lane Center internship and to students who will be enrolled the following fall quarter.
All undergraduates of any year, including graduating seniors, are eligible. Graduating seniors are eligible only if they are graduating in spring quarter. Students who have already graduated, e.g., fall or winter quarter are not eligible.
Stipend
The Bill Lane Center will provide a base stipend of $8,000 with additional funding for student financial aid and location, if applicable, up to $10,000.
Financial aid is available to students who qualify and give permission in their application for Lane Center staff to inquire regarding aid eligibility with the Financial Aid Office. Graduating seniors are not eligible for financial aid.
The stipend is provided to cover living expenses and, if applicable, part of the summer earnings expectation of the Office of Financial Aid. Interns who will be working in high cost-of-living areas, e.g., the Bay Area, will receive additional cost-of-living supplements.
The stipend is not intended to be, and is not, a paid, hourly wage or salary. Stipends are intended to support travel to and from the host organization (if applicable) and living expenses (e.g., room and board, daily commute) while at the host organization. An internship is an educational and experiential learning opportunity intended for the student to apply their academics and gain real-world experience.
Questions? Email Education Manager Corinne Thomas.
Please note: The two types of internships offered by the Bill Lane Center are known as the American West Internships and the Shultz Energy Fellowships. Visit the Shultz Energy Fellowship page to learn more about that program.
Summer 2026 American West Internships
| HISTORY & ARChaeology | INTERNSHIP Role | Internship Location | Link To application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewistown Public Library | Archives and Outreach Intern | Lewistown, MT (in person only) | Apply here |
| Yellowstone National Park Archaeology Program | Archaeology Program Intern | Gardiner, MT (in person only) | Apply here |
| Yellowstone National Park Heritage and Research Center | Museum Intern | Gardiner, MT (in person only) | Apply here |
| Politics, Policy & EDUCATION | INTERNSHIP Role | Internship Location | Link to application |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Council on Science and Technology | Intern | Sacramento, CA (in person and hybrid) | Apply here |
| Heyday | Editorial Intern | Berkeley, CA (in person and hybrid) | Apply here |
| National Conference of State Legislatures | Intern | Denver, CO (in person and hybrid) | Apply here |
| U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | Emergency Management Intern | San Francisco, CA (in person and hybrid) | Apply here |
| Ecology & Conservation | INTERNSHIP RoLe | Internship Location | Link to Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Rivers | River Restoration Intern | Merced County, CA (remote with in-person meetings and field visits) | Apply here |
| Blue Forest Conservation | Wildfire and Water Resources Intern | Bay Area or Sacramento, CA (remote with in-person workshops and field visits | Apply here |
| Bureau of Land Management/UConn | Biodiversity Intern | SW Idaho & SE Arizona (in person only) | Apply here |
| California Trout | Shasta-Klamath Regional Intern | Mt. Shasta, CA (in person only) | Apply here |
| Deschutes Land Trust | Resilient Lands Intern | Bend, OR (hybrid) | Apply here |
| Henry's Fork Foundation | Hydrology and Water Management Intern | Ashton, ID (in person only) | Apply here |
| Kansas State University | Grassland Insect Community Ecology | Manhattan, KS (in person only) | Apply here |
| Redwing Ranch | Regenerative Ag Educational Program Assistant Intern | Gardner, CO (in person only) | Apply here |
| San Francisco Estuary Institute | Resilient Landscapes Program Intern | Richmond, CA (hybrid) | Apply here |
For Prospective Host Organizations
The Bill Lane Center welcomes new additions to its internship host organizations and reviews its partnerships regularly. Visit this page for more information on how to become a host organization for the Bill Lane Center's internship program.
Current and Past American West Internship Organizations
Click on the links below to read student reflections on their experiences at the different host organizations. Before deciding which internship to apply for, it helps to hear from the students themselves about what each organization is like.
Located in Ashton, ID, the Henry's Fork Foundation works to conserve, protect, and restore the unique qualities of the Henry's Fork river and its watershed.
Heyday is a non-profit publishing house located in Berkeley, CA.
The NCSL advances the effectiveness, independence and integrity of state legislatures and fosters interstate cooperation and facilitates the exchange of information among legislatures.
The DLT works cooperatively with central Oregon landowners to conserve land for wildlife, scenic views and local communities.
Located in Prescott, AZ, NHI provides leadership and resources for a revitalized practice of natural history that integrates art, science, and humanities to promote the health and well-being of humans and the rest of the natural world.
SFEI gives scientific support and tools for decision-making and communication through collaborative efforts. We provide independent science to assess and improve the health of the waters, wetlands, wildlife and landscapes of San Francisco Bay and beyond
The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
USACE delivers vital public and military engagement engineering services; partnering in peace and war to strengthen national security, energize the economy and reduce risks from disasters.
We offer two opportunities at Yellowstone. The Heritage and Research Center houses the National Park's cultural and natural artifacts. The Archeology Program manages the park’s archaeological heritage where students work with the Park's archeologist.