Sewanee considers internships and research fellowships a valuable and integral part of a field of study—an important way to gain insight into a career field, obtain valuable professional experience, and develop new skills. Sewanee's internship funding program is funded by 50 endowed internship funds established by very generous donors and through donors' annual gifts.

 

Highlights

200+
Students

More than 200 students receive funding from Sewanee annually to participate in meaningful internships and research fellowships in Sewanee, all over the United States, and abroad.

600k
In University funding

Currently enrolled, degree-seeking Sewanee students are eligible to apply for a portion of more than $600,000 in funding for unpaid internships and research fellowships.

#9
“Best Schools for Internships”

In 2022, The Princeton Review named Sewanee #9 for “Best Schools for Internships.”

Sewanee Internships

ACE Internships

ACE (A Career Exploration) internships are hosted by alumni, parents, and friends specifically for Sewanee students. Some ACE internships are paid while others are unpaid; many of these internships have been offered for more than a decade. ACE Medical Internships require recommendations from professors and transcripts in addition to the cover letter, resume, and list of references typically required to apply for ACE Internships.

Internships cover a wide variety of industries, including the arts, conservation and environmental issues, finance, medical, legal, medical, public affairs and civic engagement, and more. Currently enrolled, degree-seeking Sewanee students are eligible to apply on Handshake by February 15.

Fellowships

SURF Research Fellowships

Career Readiness + Student Success works with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship to sponsor the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) program that offers on-campus research opportunities with Sewanee faculty. Email the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship for additional questions. Currently enrolled, degree-seeking Sewanee students are eligible to apply for opportunities on Handshake by March 1.

Biehl International Research Fellowship

The Biehl Social Science Research Fellowship is a funding opportunity for independent social science research study, conducted during the summer, in a country where the primary language is not English.

DUGAN EDUCATION AND RESEARCH GRANT

The grant is awarded to a politics major or minor who demonstrates financial need. It can be used for any of the following purposes:

    1. Research costs for projects during the school year (e.g., data access)
    2. Travel costs to an academic conference where the student presents a paper
    3. Travel to summer internships, contingent on the student also applying for other University internship funding such as Tonya Public Affairs funding.
    4. Summer courses abroad led by a Sewanee professor
    5. Summer research costs (travel and supplies, but not stipends)
    6. Attendance at experiential learning conferences, if the conference is part of a course (e.g., Mock Trial, Model UN)

    Students seeking grants for domestic experiences may apply for up to $500, while those engaged in international experiences may apply for up to $750.

    Gessell Fellowship in Social Ethics

    The Gessell Fellowship in Social Ethics offers funds to enable an independent research project in social theory or social ethics. The project may be an academic research paper or field experience. Projects with a local focus are particularly encouraged.

    Office of Civic Engagement Internships

    The Office of Civic Engagement supports multiple summer and academic year internships for students to invest in community and deepen their leadership and professional skills.

    External Fellowships

    A variety of fellowships are available to Sewanee students, including graduating seniors.

    Funding

    Over $600,000 in Funding Awarded Each Summer

    Funding for the Sewanee Internship program began with the Tonya Fund for Public Affairs in 1981, and funding is now available from 50 endowed funds and support from individual annual donors and foundation grants. More than $600,000 in stipends is awarded for students to complete unpaid and under-funded internships and research opportunities each summer. In addition to the inaugural fund in public affairs, donors have established internship funds in the arts, business and economics, conservation, environmental studies, medicine, ministry and service, mathematics and the sciences, and international studies. You're invited to support this priority.

    Apply for Funding

    To apply for funding, students find an existing internship OR dream up their own at an organization of their choice, secure it with a sponsor at that organization, and then apply for funding through Career Readiness (details are on Brightspace). Students offered unpaid internships or research fellowships are eligible to apply for University funding by April 1.

    Explore Resources

    Browse Brightspace for resources from cover letters to job searching and everywhere in between. Find us on the Brightspace Discover page and click "Enroll in Course" to get started.

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    735 University Avenue, Sewanee TN 37383  

    careers@sewanee.edu (931) 598-1121

    Civic Engagement Internships
    Invest in Community

    The Office of Civic Engagement supports multiple summer and academic year internships for students to invest in community and deepen their leadership and professional skills.

    Learn More
    Career Competencies
    Eight Career Competencies

    Experiences both within and outside the classroom contribute to preparing students for life after Sewanee. Through the development of career competencies and readiness, Sewanee students are ready to enter the workforce or graduate/professional school successfully. The National Association of Colleges and Employers has identified eight career competencies.

    Learn More
    Canale Internship Fund
    Community service internship

    Supported by the Canale endowment, students pursue a community service internship of their choosing. The internships are student-submitted projects that benefit the greater Sewanee community, while also developing the individual intern’s leadership, communication, emotional, and analytical skills.

    Learn More