Help Cepheid research safer solvents for manufacturing

Overview The Washington Applied Sustainability Internship (WASI) program is an undergraduate summer internship program designed to link dedicated engineering, chemistry, sustainability and environmental sciences students with business and industry in Washington. Interns research identified pollution prevention opportunities at a Host Business to analyze, recommend, and/or implement process changes to find and use safer chemical alternatives, reduce hazardous and solid wastes, conserve energy and water, reduce water contaminants and emissions, increase efficiency and cost savings, and improve employee health and safety. These pollution prevention internship projects will benefit Washington’s waterways and other natural resources.

Washington Sea Grant (WSG) and the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) administer the program in tandem. Individual Interns work for a Host Business and will have access to technical advisors at Ecology. The program is partially funded by the EPA Pollution Prevention Grant. 2026 Timeline* Host business application opens: CLOSED for 2026 Host business application deadline: CLOSED for 2026 Student application opens: March 18, 2026 Student application deadline: April 15, 2026 Mandatory interview day: May 6, 2026 (applicants must be available between 9:30am and 2:00pm on 5/6/26) Internship begins: June 15, 2026 Internship ends: Mid-August, 2026 *Please be advised that this internship program is contingent upon the availability and allocation of federal funds. 2026 Host businesses and projects Help Cepheid research safer solvents for manufacturing, optimize the process to minimize solvent usage and waste generation, and advance sustainability efforts underway.

Information for prospective interns As a WASI intern, you will be matched with a Washington state business to create sustainability solutions for industry practices. During this 10-week internship, you will conduct research that can help improve efficiency, save money, and prevent/reduce waste. Project topics might include energy or water audits, toxics reduction, green chemistry, and life cycle assessment.

Read the host businesses’ project descriptions very carefully to determine which project best suits your interests, skills and knowledge.

Benefits Hands on experience in project development and management Collaboration with industry Mentorship by an WASI engineer or scientist Communicating science to interdisciplinary audiences Eligibility The Washington Applied Sustainability Internship (WASI) is open to any Washington state-based undergraduate student with junior or senior standing (including graduating seniors) in business, economics, engineering, environmental science, green chemistry, physical science or sustainability science. Note: each internship position has preferred majors and desired skills and experience, and may have additional eligibility criteria (e.g. citizenship requirements). See the project descriptions for more information.

DACA students are eligible to apply, however each internship position may have specific requirements related to immigration status or citizenship. WSG fellowship programs do not consider personal identity factors in evaluation or selection. At the same time, we recognize that historic barriers have limited access for many communities.

Our programs are committed to creating supportive, and welcoming experiences that help all eligible applicants thrive, and we warmly encourage everyone to apply. Award $8,500 per student for the summer. This is a full-time (40hrs/week), 10-week internship and interns must be available to work onsite or virtually at the businesses on a daily basis.

Housing costs are not provided, but limited funds may be available to support program-related travel expenses Intern stipends are administered through Washington Sea Grant and the University of Washington Note: Internship stipends are non-benefits-eligible and will not have taxes withheld. Interns are not UW employees—i.e., this is not an employment relationship but rather a trainee/learner experience. Application requirements A complete application will include the following three components: A resumé describing your work and/or volunteer experience (maximum two pages; use 12 point Times New Roman font and 1 inch margins).

The resumé must include your name, contact information (including phone and email address), GPA, and educational history. The resumé should also detail your work and volunteer history, particularly as it relates to the WASI opportunities. Include names and contact information for at least 2 references.

A personal statement sharing your academic and career vision and how the WASI opportunity fits into and supports your goals (maximum one page; use 12 point Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins, and 1.5-line spacing). A project preference statement indicating which WASI project or projects you are interested in, how you would benefit from the project and how your skills align with the host business project(s) of interest (maximum 300 words). NOTE: You may apply to more than one project position.

If applying for more than one project you must submit a project preference statement for each project AND you must rank the projects in order of preferences (i.e. 1 for first choice project, 2 for second choice project, and so on). Unofficial transcripts showing all college-level education. While required to confirm eligibility, details of student transcripts are not factored into the selection process