Internship Initiative

Source: https://gradadvance.graduateschool.ufl.edu/programs/internship-initiative/ Parent: https://gradadvance.graduateschool.ufl.edu/

Pursue experiential learning opportunities with the Graduate Internship Initiative.

Gain experience, enhance your skillset, and find opportunities for professional growth with the Graduate School's Internship Initiative. Through the Internship Initiative, graduate students will employ their analytical, graduate-level training on a local community project while gaining valuable professional experience through a scholarship-supported, part-time internship. Paired with one-on-one mentoring throughout its duration with Dr. Jim Gillespie, the Internship Initiative offers graduate students the opportunity to expand their professional skills and networks while gaining meaningful work experiences beyond an academic setting.

Applications for our 2026 Internship Initiative offering are now open! Read more and submit your applications below.

Questions? Email us here!

More information for students and host organizations:

For students

Who is eligible for the program? Any UF graduate student who is enrolled for the duration of an internship is eligible for the Internship Initiative; acceptance will be contingent on a letter from an advisor or grad coordinator confirming your good academic standing.

What projects are there to apply for? You can view current offerings below under '2026 Initiatives'.

How much are students paid? Selected graduate students will be given a $4000 scholarship award for their work as well as a potential additional financial award from the host organization.

How are applications evaluated? Representatives from both the Graduate School and the host organization will review your application to determine how well it fits with the organization's mission, the project offered, and aims of the Internship Initiative program.

How can I apply? You can apply via the link here, also found further down the page under the 2026 initiatives. In lieu of a traditional cover letter or personal statement, you will submit answers to questions about your experience, skills and goals. You will also need to upload a copy of your resume or CV.

For organizations

I'm an organization with a project that would be perfect for the Internship Initiative. How can I share it? You can submit your project proposal by following the link under 'For organizations' here!

What makes this program worth participating in from our side of things? Our aim is to be mutually beneficial: students receive valuable professional experience and organizations receive deliverables from a highly skilled, highly motivated, and highly educated graduate student.

What types of projects are eligible for the Internship Initiative program? Any project that engages the capacities of graduate students, offers deliverables in a six-to-eight week window, and helps our students develop professionally.

2026 Initiatives

Explore experiential learning opportunities with our 2026 project partners!

Matheson History Museum

Explore an experiential learning opportunity through a paid internship experience with the Matheson History Museum! Beginning in the end of April and continuing through July, the Museum Education Intern will work closely with the Museum's Education Coordinator and Executive Director to help design and implement the Matheson's first ever summer camp. The Museum Education Intern will play a pivotal role in the design and development of this camp while also advancing the mission of the Matheson History Museum. This graduate intern experience offers the opportunity to shape meaningful experiences for museum visitors, fostering learning and community engagement. This position involves varying hours (approx. 5+ hours per week during the end of the spring semester; 20 hours per week during the Summer C semester) and will run from mid-April through July. Interested? Read the full internship description here!

Applications are now open! Students can submit their application materials via the linked Qualtrics form: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6W45jXIoSf4b2om.

The deadline to submit an application is March 25, 2026.

For students

Are you a student interested in learning more about the Internship Initiative?

Email us here!

For organizations

Are you a business or organization with a project that would be suitable for the Internship Initiative program?

Submit your idea here!

For anyone

Wish to learn more about Graduate Success, professional development, and other programs & events?

Explore more here!