Mignone Center for Career Success-Funded Independent Internships within the U.S.

The Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) supports up to six students for either a virtual or in-person independent, self-arranged internship or research assistantship at an organization based within the U.S.  

Eligible internships should be confirmed by the deadline and be unpaid or under-funded. 

If you receive funding from another source, you must notify us immediately. Harvard College students can only accept one funded summer experience each summer according to Harvard College’s Summer Funding Policy.  

**Note: Students may apply Harvard University funding to two different opportunities, given that one source of funding supports thesis research and that the two opportunities do not overlap in time. If a student applies for multiple sources of funding under this exception, they should email all involved funding centers with the timing of their thesis research and other summer experience.** 

MCS awards are not transferable.  If your internship organization or location changes, you need to seek our approval to be funded for your opportunity.  Similarly, funding for one type of opportunity (such as an independent internship) cannot be moved to another type of opportunity (such as an internship with a third-party internship provider or study abroad).  If there are any changes to your internship (i.e. type, format, location, duration, etc.)  and you do not inform us, your award may be rescinded.  

Important Dates 

  1. Thursday, May 8, 2025, 11:59pm ET – Deadline to apply for MCS funding
  2. Friday, May 16, 2025 – Funding notifications go out 
  3. Sunday, May 18, 2025 – Deadline for students to accept or decline funding and submit any pre-departure requirements to receive funding  

Who Can Apply for Funding? 

MCS can only fund students who: 

  • Are in good standing at time of application through the duration of the summer internship.
    • Students not in good standing at the time of applying for MCS funding will only be considered if they have an endorsement from their Resident Dean (RD) stating that the RD supports the student’s application for MCS funding. Emails must be sent to summerfunding@fas.harvard.edu by the application deadline. 
  • Are current Harvard College undergraduates, 1st-year through 1st semester senior during Spring 2025.
  • Are enrolled full-time during Spring 2025.
    • In accordance with the Student Handbook, students in good standing who are on a voluntary leave of absence may be permitted to apply for Harvard funding, including but not limited to summer grants, provided that they have obtained the Administrative Board’s prior approval. In making this determination, the Administrative Board will consider the relevant circumstances, including, for example, the circumstances that led to the student’s leave of absence. Students on leave should start this approval process as soon as possible by contacting their Resident Dean; if approved, students  must  submit all applications by their posted deadlines. 

**Preference will be given to students who have NOT received prior MCS funding.** 

MCS will NOT fund:  

  • Internships outside of the United States
  • Internships at multiple organizations
  • Internships that take place in multiple cities or states
  • Internships that are less than six weeks long 

How to Apply: 

  1. Apply directly  to the organization with which you want to intern or conduct research.
  2. Enroll in direct deposit. See direct deposit instructions.
  3. Apply in CARAT to “MCS Funding for an Internship or Research Assistantship Within the U.S. SU25 (DOM)”  by 11:59pm ET on Thursday, May 8, 2025  with the following materials:

How Much is Awarded, and What is Not Included?:

  • Virtual: up to $4,000
  • In-person: up to $6,000 
  • It is the student’s responsibility to cover or supplement any extra costs not covered by the stipend (i.e. visas, personal expenses, immunizations, etc.) 

How are Funding Decisions Made? 

  • Funding decisions are made by lottery and are not based on financial need.
  • Not all students on financial aid are funded, and internship confirmation does not guarantee funding.  

Questions? 

Contact the Summer Opportunities Funding team at summerfunding@fas.harvard.edu.