Masters Level Internship Funding Program

Request for Proposals

 138K
Over $138,000 awarded to MPH students in 2022

Deadline: February 19, 2023

Overview

An overseas internship can be an excellent means to prepare for a future career in global 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. 

The Office of Global Public Health provides SPH school-level awards for internships in global health. We cannot support every student -- funding is based on the strength of each proposal and the amount of available funding. 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. 

We have identified several factors that will strengthen a request for funding. Ideally, internships 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;
  • that offer a significant first-time overseas opportunity to gain solid skills and experience  or further growth and new experiences for student with prior overseas experience;
  • evidence the student can successfully operate in the main or official language of the country visited;
  • evidence the submitted budget is cost-conscious and likely to be cost-effective;
  • evidence of interest in global health such as successful completion of courses in global health offered in the School;
  • evidence of application to several alternative or additional sources of funding

To be considered for support, an internship must be a minimum of 8 weeks in duration. 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.  If funds permit, we may support a limited number of strong proposals for remote internships for students who cannot travel.

remote internships in 2023

The funding priority for the Office of Global Public Health is internships where students will travel and reside in country for 8 weeks or longer. However, if funds permit, we will consider remote internships where travel is not possible. All students should prepare for the possibility that travel is not possible. In these cases, the OGPH will allow the student to apply funding to a remote internship. All remote-only internships must involve an in-country partner and include regular contact with the in-country partner staff.

For travel internships, you must 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 remote-only internships, you must have an in-country partner and set a schedule of regular meetings to ensure you are able to successfully complete your assignment.

Students are encouraged to attend the 2023 Global Health Poster Session showcasing students that completed internships in 2022. The poster session will be offered in-person on January 27, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. and asynchronous viewing of posters via Yellowdig from January 24 through 26.

Funding ceilings are based on the region of travel. The maximum amounts that may be requested, by region, are:

  • Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean: $3500
  • Africa, Asia, Europe, Pacific, and Middle East: $4500
  • Remote $3000

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 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, you are required to inform us at GPHFunding@umich.edu if you receive other award(s) from any other sources. Further details of this requirement will be outlined in the award letter.

In view of the Office of Global Public Health's desire to support internships on as many different projects as reasonably possible, when considering internships with UM Faculty, we suggest you discuss with the faculty member how many other students will be requesting support to participate. Having many students to request funding for the same project may decrease the probability for each individual applicant’s chances of receiving funding.

Please be aware that all UM students planning international internships are required to purchase International Travel 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 which destinations are under a University Travel Warning or University Travel Restriction. In consideration of the ever changing status of world events, students are required to submit a written safety plan to the Office of Global Public Health prior to travel. If the destination is among those under warning or restriction, the safety plan must be submitted to and approved by ITOC with request for exception to travel to destinations subject to a University Travel Warning. Please see the updated policy. If approved, these students will be required to submit an Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability and Financial Obligation form to ITOC.

Applications, including both the online form and the supporting documents (see below), must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. EST on February 19, 2023. Your application will not be considered complete until all documents are uploaded, and you have clicked the "submit" button.

Completing the Application

After completing the online application form, you must submit the following attachments by uploading, in pdf format, to the application site:

  • 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
  • UM SPH transcript (unofficial)
  • Those proposing to travel should upload screen shot or printout of your proposed travel ticket, and completed budget using this template, which you will complete and then attach to the travel itinerary, and upload as one pdf document. Those proposing an all remote internship should upload a justification for a remote only internship here, along with a proposed schedule of meetings with the in-country partner.

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.

APPLY now

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

  • November 14, 2022 at 5 p.m.
  • December 2, 2022 at 12 p.m.
  • January 11, 2023 at 9 a.m.
  • January 25, 2023 at 4 p.m.
  • February 7, 2023 at 6 p.m.

For more details on application requirements and help planning and assembling a strong application. Office of Global Public Health staff will also announce "Office Hours" designed to assist you in developing a viable internship, budget, or proposal. These may be in person or virtual but will require advance registration. Please watch the Student Vector e-newsletter for those dates and details. 

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 Note: The application asks if you are interested and willing to convert your internship to a remote experience in the event that travel restrictions are implemented for summer 2023. Please discuss this possibility with your proposed supervisor, as circumstances may change.