Internship Opportunities

About the AARCS & Stop AAPI Hate Partnership

The Asian American Research Center at Stanford (AARCS) and the Stop AAPI Hate Coalition are establishing a formal internship partnership to advance racial justice, community empowerment, and applied learning. This collaboration connects academic research with grassroots advocacy, offering students a transformative professional experience while strengthening Stop AAPI Hate’s capacity to serve Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. 

The Asian American Research Center at Stanford (AARCS) is an interdisciplinary hub for generating and sharing knowledge about Asian American/diaspora issues. We support and make accessible innovative research into all dimensions of Asian American life. We recognize the diverse geographic formations, experiences, and identities that comprise Asian American/diaspora communities. AARCS seeks to advance Stanford as a leading center of scholarship on Asian American/diaspora issues. Our primary areas of focus include research, education, and community & public engagement. 

Stop AAPI Hate is a U.S.-based coalition dedicated to fighting racism and discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAs & PIs). We strive to advance the multiracial movement for equity and justice by raising awareness about anti-AAPI hate, working in solidarity with allied communities, and advocating for comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of race-based hate. As the nation’s largest reporting center tracking anti-AAPI hate acts, our coalition publishes data and research to paint a vivid and nuanced picture of racism and other forms of bigotry as experienced by our communities. Leveraging our core strategies- Data & Research, Policy & Advocacy, Community Care, and Strategic Communications- we work to create a safer, more equitable future for all.

Application Guidelines

Please apply directly to the form below and include:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
  • The cover letter should describe the applicant's interest in the internship and relevant life, educational, and work experience.
• Writing Sample
  • The writing sample should be 3-5 pages and should preferably be on topics around policy, law, research, or AAPI communities.

Applications are due on Sunday, February 15, 2026 and will undergo review by AARCS's Leadership and Stop AAPI Hate's Team. Finalists will be notified by Stop AAPI Hate and will be invited to an interview by March 2026. Final intern(s) will be chosen by April 2026. Please submit applications using the form below.

Go to Application Form

Position Overview

Stop AAPI Hate is seeking up to two summer intern(s) to support its policy research, advocacy, and research initiatives. This internship offers the opportunity to work closely with a mission-driven coalition committed to addressing racism and discrimination against AA/PI communities. Interns will gain hands-on experience in policy analysis, research, community-based advocacy, and organizational development, while providing meaningful analytical and strategic support to ongoing projects. Interns will work on active policy and research priorities and may either gain experience across both areas or choose to specialize based on their interests. Each intern’s work plan will be tailored to their academic background, skillset, and Stop AAPI Hate’s organizational needs. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

Policy and Advocacy

• Conduct research on local, state, and federal AAPI-related initiatives.
• Identify, track, and analyze legislation and policy proposals affecting AAPI communities.
• Develop policy recommendations and contribute to advocacy strategies.
• Draft memoranda, internal documents, policy briefs, and public-facing materials.
• Research and monitor implementation of legislation and regulations.

Research

• Analyze data on anti-AAPI hate to identify patterns and inform policy solutions.
• Apply social science research skills (literature reviews, qualitative and/or quantitative research methods) to understand anti-AA/PI hate in the US.
• Integrate community voice and perspectives into research processes and outputs.
• Communicate research findings to stakeholders in clear and compelling ways.
• Connect research insights to policy and advocacy solutions.

Additional Learning Areas (as applicable)

• Strategic Communications: Support public awareness and education campaigns.
• Fundraising and Development: Assist with grant research, proposal drafting, and donor engagement efforts.

Duration and Commitment

The internship runs for one summer term (8-10 weeks) with an expected commitment of 15 hours per week, and all work will be conducted on Pacific Standard Time. Interns will complete a final project or written deliverable, along with smaller project-based assignments throughout the term. The position may be completed remotely or in a hybrid format; hybrid interns must be based in the San Francisco Bay Area or Los Angeles to support in-person engagement with Stop AAPI Hate partner organizations (Chinese for Affirmative Action or AAPI Equity Alliance). Interns will be compensated at $28.75 per hour, depending on total weeks and hours worked, with no additional benefits or employee expenses provided.

Eligibility & Qualifications

• Enrolled Stanford undergraduate student (junior or senior) or graduate student, with preference for graduate students
• Strong commitment to the mission and values of AARCS and Stop AAPI Hate, including research, education, social justice, equity, and civic and public engagement
• Excellent writing skills
• Experience with quantitative and/or qualitative social science research OR with policy research and analysis
• Openness to direction, learning, and feedback, with a strong desire for professional and research skill development
• Respectful, communicative, and able to work collaboratively with colleagues, coalition partners, and community members