Office of the Vice President for the Arts
SIPA – Eligibility & Timeline
Student Eligibility
The following criteria applies to both program tracks (pre-arranged and self-designed internships:
- Open to current Stanford undergraduate students (freshman, sophomores, and juniors) from all academic disciplines.
- Priority will be given to students who have not previously participated in SIPA or the Lyric McHenry Community Arts Fellowship.
- Co-terms and graduating seniors are not eligible for either track.
- Students are only eligible for one Stanford-funded summer experiential learning opportunity during the 2025-26 academic year (inclusive of summer).
- If students choose to participate in either track of SIPA, they will not be eligible for another Stanford-sponsored full-time funding opportunity (e.g., another Cardinal Quarter opportunity, Global Studies Internship Program, Undergraduate Research Major Grants, Chappell Lougee, VPA Senior Grant, full-time departmental and faculty research grants, Beagle II Award, etc.).
- Part-time opportunities (such as an Undergraduate Research Small Grant or another on-campus part-time internship) may be feasible for some SIPA pre-arranged, on campus internships. Contact program staff to discuss eligibility.
Key Dates
SIPA is only available for Summer 2026 internships. Students interested in internship stipends during the academic year may be eligible for funding through the Haas Center’s Cardinal Quarter or Community Service Work-Study programs.
Application Timeline
- December 2025: Application opens
- February 12, 2026 @ 11:59pm (Pacific): Deadline for Round 1 pre-arranged internships
- late February/early March 2026: Semi-finalist interviews take place for selected candidates.
- mid-March 2026: Pre-arranged internship finalists notified. Students will have up to 48 hours to accept/decline an offer.
- March 16, 2026 @ 11:59pm (Pacific): Deadline for self-designed internships
- Completed Host Organization Questionnaire forms are also due by this deadline!
- early April: Semi-finalist interviews may take place for selected candidates.
- mid-April: Self-designed internship finalists notified. Students will have up to 48 hours to accept/decline an offer.
- April 13, 2026 @ 11:59pm (Pacific): Deadline for Round 2 pre-arranged internships
- mid-April 2026: Semi-finalist interviews take place for selected candidates.
- late April 2026: Pre-arranged internship finalists notified. Students will have up to 48 hours to accept/decline an offer.
- May 2026: All Students complete online orientation via Canvas.
- late May 2026: Stipends paid via Student Financial Services.
- June/July 2026: Internships begin
- August/September 2026: Internships end
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