A summer internship is a great way to gain hands-on experience, build professional skills, and explore your career interests. However, unpaid internships can make these opportunities difficult to pursue. The University of Denver’s Summer Internship Award Program helps make these experiences more accessible by providing financial support to eligible undergraduate students completing unpaid summer internships.
Applications open February 1 and close April 16. If you are considering an unpaid internship this summer, start preparing early to take advantage of this opportunity!
What Is the Summer Internship Award Program?
The Summer Internship Award Program provides awards ranging from $2,500 to $3,400, depending on the award, to help undergraduate students participate in unpaid internships. These experiences allow students to apply what they have learned in the classroom, develop professional skills, and explore potential career paths without the financial burden of an unpaid position.
Internships may be in or out of the U.S. and can span a wide range of industries, including marketing, communications, business, research, education, public service, engineering, and more.
Student Information
Interested in applying for a Summer Internship Fund? Start preparing early by exploring internship opportunities, updating your resume, and thinking about how an internship could support your academic and professional goals.
To qualify for the Summer Internship Award Program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be a full-time DU undergraduate student in good academic and disciplinary standing.
- Maintain undergraduate status through the summer by registering as a full-time student for the upcoming fall quarter.
- Participate in an unpaid summer internship requiring at least 200 hours of work. Small stipends may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Register and receive approval through DU Passport for internships located outside the United States.
Undergraduate students in the College of Professional Studies are not eligible for this program.
You do not need to have an internship secured to apply. Students who are actively pursuing an opportunity may still submit an application, but they must secure an internship by June 1 to receive the award.
Applications open February 1 and must be submitted by April 16 through Qualtrics. Applicants must complete all required materials by the deadline to be considered.
The application will require the following:
- An approved resume
- In order to present a strong application, we ask that you have your career advisor or a career peer advisor review your resume before you use it in this application or for internship applications. You can do this by email, in an appointment, or by dropping in to meet with a Career Peer Advisor in the Burwell Center or Beans. Preference will be given to students whose PCO profiles reflect a recent meeting or review resume with Career & Professional Development staff.
- Three written response questions (100-300 words each):
- Tell us about one specific moment that put you on the path to your current field of interest and career path. What did you learn, realize, or experience, and how has it impacted your choices since then?
- How have you prepared for an internship like this through your coursework and other DU experiences like student organizations, previous jobs, or volunteer roles? Identify at least one specific thing you’ve learned in class and one specific thing you’ve learned outside of class that will apply in this internship.
- How will this internship prepare you for your future career? Pick two career skills from the list in the application and provide clear examples of how you will build them in this internship and how you will use them after graduation, referencing specifics from the job description.
Applications are reviewed by a selection committee based on the clarity of your response. Some funds prioritize students in certain departments, those completing internships at nonprofits or government offices, or those interning abroad. Across funding sources, we especially welcome applications from students who have not completed an internship before, and from students applying to our employer host sites.
- February 1: Applications open
- April 16: Application deadline
- June 1: Deadline to secure an internship if you have not already done so when applying
Students are welcome to apply for funding for an internship they find independently. The program also features approved host sites that have been reviewed by DU for their commitment to student learning and professional development.
Approved opportunities may offer project-based work, direct mentorship, regular feedback, and opportunities to reflect on professional growth. Students applying to positions at approved host sites receive priority consideration for Summer Internship Award funding.
Explore internship postings in PCO to discover opportunities that align with your interests and career goals.
For questions, please contact stuemp@du.edu
Employer Information
The University of Denver’s Summer Internship Award Program Initiative is expanding! We’re inviting employers to become approved host sites for stipend-supported internships.
“This award changed how I was able to do my internship. Without it, I would not have been able to take on an unpaid role and focus on the work.” – Student Awardee
- Financial Accessibility: DU provides stipends directly to students, making it possible for organizations that cannot offer paid internships to still host talented interns.
- Access to Talent: Engage motivated, career-ready students eager to contribute.
- Pipeline Development: Build relationships with talented students who may become future full-time hires.
- Offer a supervised, project-based internship experience.
- Commit to mentorship, support professional development, and complete a performance review at the end of the internship.
- Ensure the internship is unpaid, occurs during the summer, and lasts at least 200 total hours.
- Adhere to Compliance Policies and Labor Laws.
- Post your internship in PCO, DU’s job and Internship database.
Apply today! Please note not all applicants will be accepted, and employers must meet all site requirements to qualify. Deadline to apply is Friday, January 23 at 5 pm (MT). Questions? Contact hire@du.edu.
