MCS-Funded Third-Party Internship Programs Outside the U.S.

The Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) supports students for two types of internships outside the U.S., either virtual or in-person.

  1. An independent, self-arranged internship or research assistantship where the student makes arrangements directly with a supervisor at an organization based outside the U.S. OR
  2. An internship arranged by a third-party internship provider at an organization based outside the U.S. where the student pays a program fee to participate. 

We encourage you to apply for all funding sources for which you are eligible.  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 in question 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  and you do not inform us, your award may be rescinded. 

Sample Funding-Eligible Programs:

NOTE: Third-party internship providers and the internships they help arrange are not vetted or endorsed by Harvard University.  Students are responsible for researching these providers to ensure a proper fit for their interests and summer goals and should ask providers to connect them with past participants about their experiences. In applying for funding for a third-party internship or research program, you agree that MCS can release your name and application status to the third-party provider to which you are applying for funding. Please note that if you commit to one of these programs and later change your mind about participating, you will be responsible for any non-refundable payments you have made.  Please note that these programs tend to be a good fit for students who have a particular city in which they would like to intern, but are open to a variety of internships in a variety of industries.  If you have very particular industry or internship interests, finding your own internship and applying for funding for an independent internship outside of the U.S. may be a better fit for you.

Important Dates:

  1. Thursday, February 6, 2025, 11:59pm ET – Deadline to apply for MCS funding
  2. Friday, March 7, 2025 – Funding notifications go out
  3. Friday, April 25, 2025 – Deadline to submit pre-departure requirements to receive funding 

Who Can Apply for Funding?: 

MCS can only fund students who are: 

  • 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 funding and for whom this is their first or second summer of college.** 

MCS will NOT fund: 

How to Apply: 

  1. Apply directly to the internship placement program. 
  2. Enroll in direct deposit.  See direct deposit instructions.
  3. Apply in CARAT to “MCS Funding Application for 3rd Party Internship Programs Outside the U.S. SU25 (NHI)” by 11:59pm ET on Thursday, February 6, 2025 with the following materials:
    1. Proof of direct deposit enrollment, PDF format. Submit a pdf screenshot from the “Student Accounts” section from my.harvard that shows you are enrolled in direct deposit (Download sample screenshot)
    2. Proof of program acceptance – If you are interested in multiple third-party provider programs, submit proof of acceptance for your top choice program. If you are not yet accepted to a program, we will accept proof of application. It is your responsibility to update MCS with program admission status. Funding priority will be given to applicants who have been accepted to a program, and funding will be given only to confirmed placements.

NOTE: You may apply for funding if your program admittance is not confirmed. However, prior to distributing funding to students, MCS will require you to have your internship confirmed. Priority will be given to funding applicants who have a confirmed internship offer by the application deadline. 

How Much is Awarded, and What is not Included? 

  • Virtual: $4,000 
  • In-person: Cost of the program fee (up to $13,000) and travel stipend 
  • It is the student’s responsibility to cover or supplement any extra costs that are not included in the program fee (i.e. visas, personal expenses, immunizations, food etc.) 

How are Funding Decisions Made?

  • Due to high demand, last year, MCS was only able to fund about 26% of eligible applications – funding decisions are made by lottery and are not based on financial need.
  • Not all students on financial aid are funded, and program admission does not guarantee funding.
  • Funding for students pursuing internships in their home countries is limited.
  • Funding for fully remote internships is limited.

If You Receive a Funding Offer: Pre-Departure Requirements

The following pre-departure requirements are REQUIRED for in-person or hybrid internships – MCS cannot disburse funds until all requirements are completed.

    1. Read Harvard College International travel policy
    2. Identify your destination’s travel risk rating - students may not travel to countries or regions within countries where the risk rating is “high.”
      1. If you intend to travel to an “elevated” risk country or region, submit an online travel safety questionnaire. 
      2. If you intend to travel to an “elevated” risk country or region, attend an elevated-risk orientation at some point this spring.
    3. Sign and submit the travel waiver and release form
      1. PLEASE NOTE: Submit either the “College Students – Research of Study” or “College Students – Research or Study in Elevated Risk Destinations.” ALL FIELDS MUST BE FILLED OUT. MCS will provide a link to upload this form.
    4. Watch the GSS Online Pre-departure Orientation to completion
    5. No more than 90 days prior to your departure and no later than Friday, April 25, 2025, upload the Harvard College Health Clearance packet to the HUHS patient portal.  Once cleared by HUHS, submit a screenshot of the message to MCS. MCS will provide a link to upload this screenshot.

Questions?

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