The MSU Graduate School has established a pilot program for Summer Semester 2026 to allow doctoral students the opportunity to explore internships that allow students to bring their graduate training to new domains and partners, as part of a professional development opportunity for students.
Exploring professional opportunities outside of areas where students normally “do their work” opens up important new career pathways, and the Graduate School is eager to support students interested in expanding their experiences.
Students must be a doctoral student in good standing in their MSU graduate program. This funding is only open to students for whom a practicum or internship experience is NOT part of their degree requirements and is not designed for credit-bearing professional development activities.
These fellowship funds can be used to offset expenses incurred by a student (i.e., to help with transportation or parking costs or other travel expenses, help with childcare expenses, support a student in an unpaid internship opportunity, etc.) due to their engagement in an internship experience.
Application Process
Students should complete the application form. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis, and we aim to applicants will be notified within 3 – 5 business days after the submission of a complete application. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applicants should be aware that it will likely take at least two weeks for the funds to be disbursed.
The form will ask for:
- A brief statement (1,000 words maximum) that includes what work the student is doing for their internship and how it fits into their area of study.
- A budget justification explaining the requested amount. Please highlight funding you may have received from another source (i.e. your graduate department)
- Sign-off from the student’s major professor indicating that the student is making satisfactory progress towards their degree in a graduate program.
- Documentation of the internship, for example, an offer letter from your internship partner.
The maximum amount of fellowship funding per student is $2500. Please note that funds are limited, and we will not be able to fund all students who request funding. If this pilot is successful, we will explore offering this funding in future semesters. We will award funds on a rolling basis with the goal of supporting as many students as possible.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have federal loans or other needs-based loans/aid, the amount of your fellowship award may cause a reduction of your loan(s) or other financial aid. You may still wish to consider the fellowship as this will most likely reduce your total loan debt at graduation. You may also be required to pay taxes on fellowship funding. Please seek advice from your Office of Financial Aid Counselor before you turn down a fellowship.
Please contact Dr. Julie Rojewski with any questions.