Masters Level Internship Funding Program

2025 Request for Proposals

 113K
Over $113,000 awarded to MPH students in 2024

Overview

A global internship can be an excellent means to prepare for a future career in global public health. Acquisition of hands-on, applied experience in the field can often make the difference in qualifying a young professional for a global health job. The Office of Global Public Health (OGPH) at the School of Public Health supports student research, applied service, management, and policy internships can help develop important global health skills and competencies. We have a great interest in supporting internships that present a significant opportunity for students to learn and grow. Historically, we have supported internships in low-, middle-, and high-income countries and are particularly interested in focusing on efforts that contribute to strengthening capacity building in low- and middle-income countries. 

Selection Criteria

The Office of Global Public Health provides SPH school-level awards for internships in global health. Funding is based on the strength of each proposal and the amount of available funding. Depending on the mix and quality of applications received, we will, to the extent feasible, distribute funds equitably among SPH departments; over various regions; and in support of as many different projects as possible.  

To be considered for support, candidates must be:

  • Currently enrolled in a School of Public Health Master's Degree Program
  • Completing a global public health summer internship of at least 8 weeks in duration
    • The internship must include at least 8 weeks of overseas travel to the internship site OR at least 8 weeks of regular engagement with overseas partners in a remote capacity OR at least 8 weeks of travel to a domestic internship site with a global public health focus (see more regarding domestic and remote internships below)

Students applying for internships at NGOs may wish to review our NGO Internship Funding Program Guidelines 

We are not able to fund internships less than 8 weeks in duration, or proposals that combine multiple unrelated experiences. 

We have identified several factors that will strengthen a request for funding.  They include:

  • A well-established site, particularly but not limited to those at an institution or agency with an existing relationship with the School of Public Health, or other schools and colleges in the University of Michigan
  • Substantial mentoring and guidance from UM faculty and/or mentors in the destination country
  • Internship locations in regions or areas where there is a reasonable expectation of safety and security
  • Activities that offer a significant intercultural opportunity to gain solid skills and experience, or further growth for both new and experienced travelers
  • Applicants indicate plans to pursue alternative or additional sources of funding 
  • Evidence that:
    • The student can successfully operate in the main or official language of the country visited
    • The submitted budget is cost-conscious and likely to be cost-effective
    • The student has an interest in global health, such as successful completion of courses in global health offered in the School

Students are encouraged to attend the annual Global Health Poster Session showcasing students that completed internships. The poster session is typically at the end of January.  Examples of past projects are also showcased on our Student Field Experience pages.

remote & Domestic internships in 2025

The funding priority for the Office of Global Public Health is internships where students will travel and reside in a low- or middle-income country for 8 weeks or longer. However, if funds permit, we will consider:

Remote internships: Due to extenuating circumstances or under other pre-approved circumstances realated to student or partner organization needs, remote internships that involve regular work with partners overseas may be eligible. All remote-only internships must involve a global public health partner and proposals must outline the plans for regular contact with the in-country partner staff.

Domestic internships: Under pre-approved circumstances, internships at governmental or non-governmental agencies based in the U.S. that are engaged in global public health work may be eligible. In particular, agencies working with indigenous, immigrant or migrant communities. Please contact us to discuss your project and eligibility. 

Note: For all travel internships, we ask that you clearly communicate with the host agency to determine whether they have the capacity to host an in-person intern. You must also discuss their capacity for and possibility of remote work, should travel be precluded for any reason.   

Funding ceilings and Other Funding sources

The Office of Global Public Health funding ceilings are based on the type of internship. The maximum amounts that candidates may request are:

  • International: Up to $7,000
  • Remote: Up to $5,000
  • Domestic internships with a global public health focus: Please contact us to discuss 

For purposes of global health internships, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the six US-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPIs), inclusive of the islands of Palau, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and American Samoa are eligible. 

There are several other potential sources for funding in the School and larger university. We encourage you to apply for funds from your Department and from other University offices and programs. Our application includes questions on whether you have applied for and/or received other funding. Sharing your costs between two or more funding sources will enable us to support more Global Public Health opportunities for students. After you have submitted your application, please inform us at [email protected] if you receive other award(s) from any other sources. Further details of this requirement will be outlined in the award letter.

Post Award Requirements

A formal letter of invitation to the project or program will be required from each awardee before funds are distributed. Funds can only be applied to the internship described in your funding proposal.

Please be aware that all UM graduate students planning international internships that involve travel are required to purchase Travel Abroad Health Insurance and register their internship travel at the UM Travel Registry, regardless of whether or not their internships are funded through the University of Michigan.

The Vice Provost for International Affairs, based on recommendations from the International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC), is responsible for determining Country Risk Ratings for all travel destinations. In consideration of the ever changing status of world events, all students receiving Office of Global Public Health funding are required to submit a Travel Health & Travel Safety Plan.  This is required regardless of the travel risk rating of your destination.  

Following your experience, you will be asked to complete a Final Report in September, as well as present a poster in January at our annual Global Public Health Poster Session.  Both of these deliverables provide you with an opportunity to share your experience and any advice that may benefit future students.

Completing the Application

Applications, including both the online form and the supporting documents (see below), must be submitted by the posted deadline. Your application will not be considered complete until all documents are uploaded, and you have clicked the "submit" button.

In addition to completing the online application form, you must submit the following attachments by uploading, in pdf format, to the application site.  Pay attention to the required naming convention listed in the online application:

  • A two-page proposal describing the internship, including your specific role in the work project, who will provide your day-to-day supervision, and what you expect to learn or accomplish. If proposing a remote internship, make that clear.
  • CV or Resume
  • Travel Itinerary or Remote Explanation justifying your request 
  • Budget (using this template) and any included attachments to justify the budget, combined in one pdf
  • Transcript (unofficial is acceptable)

You must complete the application by the deadline, but you do not have to complete it in one sitting, as you can log back in to continue your work. Once the application is submitted, it cannot be changed.

Please Note: The application asks if you are interested and willing to convert your internship to a remote experience in the event of a travel disruption, given the continued nature of health or safety disruptions. We encourage you to discuss this possibility with your proposed supervisor in advance of submitting your proposal. Whether or not the internship can be conducted remotely will not affect your eligibility for funding. 

Applications will be reviewed after the deadline.

The Summer 2025 application will be available in fall 2024

All students applying for funding from the Office of Global Public Health must attend one of the Global Public Health Funding Proposal Workshops.

Questions?

For any questions, more details on application requirements and help planning and assembling a strong application, students may request a meeting with Office of Global Public Health staff.  Please email us at [email protected].