Bright Futures Initiative: 'Unpaid Internship' Scholarship Fund
Summer 2021 Application is Now Closed.
Information about Summer 2022 will be provided at a later date.
The Bright Futures Initiative awards students with need-based scholarships ranging from $100-$1,000 to help offset expenses incurred during unpaid internships. Scholarships are generously funded by the Eisen Family, the University Career Center & The President’s Promise, and individual donors through Maryland Giving Day.
If you are an undergraduate student who has secured an unpaid summer internship with a non-profit organization or government office, you are eligible to apply. Additional eligibility details for summer 2022 internships will be provided at a later date.
Should a student participate in-person at an internship site, then adherence to current state and local COVID-19 directives, and CDC guidelines is required. Also, should such a student elect to continue in-person at the internship, it is done at the student's own risk.
Please review this webpage dedicated to internship guidance during COVID-19.
If you are interested in financially contributing to the Bright Futures Initiative, please visit brightfutures.umd.edu.
Other Scholarships Available for Unpaid Internships
Through University of Maryland:
- ARH-U Ready & Foxworth Scholarships: Contact Kate Juhl (kjuhl@umd.edu)
- BSOS Undergraduate Experience Funds
- School of Public Health Scholarship Fund for experiential learning
- Gilman International Scholarship for international internships via UMD National Scholarships Office
- UMD Education Abroad Scholarships for international internships
- Summer Research Scholarships via UMD National Scholarships Office
- Division of Student Affairs Scholarships
Check with your academic advisor or college office to see if there is any special funding available.
External to University of Maryland:
- BA Women's Alliance, for educational, personal, and professional development of women
- Jeffrey A. McLean Foundation, for economically challenged college students to participate in unpaid internships
- Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL), Public Service Scholarship program
Check professional associations in your field(s) of interest to see if they offer awards or scholarships for students