Experiential Education Funding

The Center for Career & Experiential Education, with generous support from the Donald Strauss Endowment for Innovative Programs, is accepting applications for the Strauss Unpaid Internship Scholarship.

Application Deadlines:

  • Fall – September 1
  • Spring – January 15
  • Summer – May 15

Application Process

Unpaid or Underpaid Internship Scholarship

This scholarship, although not equivalent to an hourly wage, is meant to offset the impact of selecting an unpaid or underpaid internship opportunity (“underpaid” means no hourly wage, but perhaps a stipend, access to professional development, etc.). This scholarship provides a one-time scholarship payment of up to $500 per 10 hours of internship time being completed (per week/per semester), up to $2000 max (see breakdown below).

  • 10+ hours per week for minimum 10 weeks = up to $500 one time scholarship payment
  • 20+ hours per week for minimum 10 weeks = up to $1000 one time scholarship payment
  • 30+ hours per week for minimum 10 weeks = up to $1500 one time scholarship payment
  • 40+ hours per week for minimum 10 weeks = up to $2000 one time scholarship payment

*Actual scholarship amounts might be smaller based on funds available.

Application Process:

  1. Identify an unpaid or underpaid internship (“underpaid” means no hourly wage, but perhaps a stipend, access to professional development, etc.)
  2. Complete the application (follow link below)
  3. If accepted, we will contact you, confirm your internship, and send necessary paperwork.
  4. Once we have confirmation of your acceptance and start of your internship, we will process your one-time payment. Please note that the scholarship is sent through your university account and as such will be applied to any outstanding bills before being sent to you in the form of a refund.
  5. Upon completion of your internship, we will reach out for a brief reflection on your Internship experience

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Undergraduate student enrolled in an internship course at URI (CCEE credit and zero-credit internship course options can be found here). If you need assistance enrolling in a course, please contact your Career Education Specialist or Sarah Miller at sgmiller@uri.edu.
  • Internship must be a minimum of 10 hours per week for 10 weeks
  • Unpaid opportunity presents a financial hardship
  • You cannot have already received a Strauss scholarship in the past