Funding for Experiential Learning Opportunities

Clark offers funding options for unpaid internships, research, and projects. More information about the types of funding opportunities available to Clark students, along with application instructions and deadlines, is available below.

Experiential Learning Award

Clark undergraduate students may apply for Experiential Learning funding for a secured, unpaid internship, research, or project-based experience during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Funding is available to first-year, sophomore, junior, senior (continuing to another semester), and senior students in a 5th-year master’s program who have secured an unpaid internship, research, or project-based experience.

This award provides financial assistance based on hours worked and is generously funded by Clark alumni, family, and friends. Students may receive no more than two funded awards for experiential learning during their time at Clark. Students may apply more than once for the Experiential Learning Award in different semesters.

Students may be able to receive academic credit for their experience through the Academic Internship Program or Directed Study.  However, funds may not be used to cover tuition costs. Learn more about the Internship for Academic Credit process.

The deadline to apply for this award is semester-based and cyclical:

Fall application deadline: October 15

Spring application deadline: March 1

Summer application deadline: April 15

Applications may be accepted after the priority deadline if funds are available.
For questions, contact the Career Connections Center at funding@clarku.edu.

Funding Advising: We encourage all students interested in applying for experiential learning funding to schedule an advising session with a career advisor through Handshake. If you have any further questions about these funding opportunities, contact the Career Connections Center at funding@clarku.edu before starting the application process.

Considerations

Funding Period

Please note that students are to use any and all awarded funds during the designated term of the grant. For example, summer awards are for expenses incurred from May to August only. Experiential Learning funds granted during the academic year should be used during the term indicated in the student’s proposal.

Assumption of Risk Waiver

This waiver must be completed for all awards received through the Centralized Application Portal.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

If you are utilizing human subjects, please check the information regarding the Institutional Review Board (IRB) through the Clark University Office of Sponsored Programs and Research. All funding applications requiring IRB review need to secure preliminary approval before applying for funding. See the IRB website for IRB application timelines and procedures.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Experiential learning funding is available to undergraduate Clark students in good academic standing, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Students who identify as International Students are required to complete Curricular Practical Training (CPT).  CPT authorization is required for all work experience for academic credit or to fulfill an internship requirement, whether paid or unpaid. Please review the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) website for further information and to complete a CPT request.

Travel Abroad

If you are participating in an experiential learning opportunity abroad, there are additional steps to take for reporting travel. Email the Study Abroad Office to better understand the current Clark-sponsored opportunity and international travel restrictions and requirements at studyabroad@clarku.edu.

Required documents to apply

• Proposal Narrative
• Resume
• Copy of the research, internship, or project description – saved as a PDF from the company website or an email from the company with appropriate contact information.
• Copy of the internship or research offer – saved as a PDF from the email or scanned in from a paper copy. Note: The offer must include the name and contact information of your supervisor, the name of the organization, start and end dates of the experience, anticipated number of work hours per week, and/or the number of work hours for the entirety of the experience.

Proposal Narrative

Applicants should submit a 2 to 4-page, double-spaced narrative (saved as a PDF document) describing their secured experience, including, in depth, how the experience connects to their academics and their future career goals. Your narrative should include the following header information: Your name, class year, major(s), internship/research/project title, and organization name at the top of the first page. Do NOT use a separate title page.

The following are considered criteria for a high-quality application:

Criteria	Expectations
Quality of the opportunity	Detailed position description and narrative clearly convey the kind of organization, the quality of work to be done, and the potential impact on professional and personal development.
Learning goals and internship/research/project deliverables	Clearly stated, with either some kind of tangible artifact being produced by the end of the internship/research/project experience or a purposeful learning experience that is at the heart of the project.
Strength of narrative and supplementary materials (resume, transcript)	The narrative clearly articulates why the student wants to complete the experience and why the timing is appropriate. Supplementary materials affirm the student’s readiness.
Connection to academic studies and/or future career goals	Narrative clearly states how this experience will deepen academic work and connect to career goals.
Financial Need	The student clearly articulates their financial need and provides documentation from their supervisor or employer about the number of anticipated hours worked.

After applying

Selection Process & Timeline

Review committees comprised of Clark staff and faculty members convene to finalize selections. A scoring rubric is used to evaluate applications. All applications have at least two committee reviewers. All students who apply will be notified in writing by email of the committee’s decision.

Accepting an Award

Students who are granted an award must complete the award acceptance form through Insight. Additionally, awardees must complete the on-demand Know Before You Go webinar before receiving funding. This webinar is meant to provide information to help you prepare for your upcoming experience. International students requiring Curricular Practicum Training (CPT) approval must contact the ISSO office before accepting an award to verify CPT status.

Award Disbursement

If funded, you will receive an award during the semester. Please note that you must set up direct deposit authorization specifically for Awards and Refunds with Student Accounts, so the funds will be deposited into your bank account. Please note that this authorization is separate from Payroll Direct Deposit. If you are awarded funds, you will receive detailed instructions for setting up direct deposit.

Tax Information

Domestic students: No taxes are withdrawn pre-disbursement; however, you will be expected to claim this award on your annual taxes, and this may impact your taxes due at that time. Please consult an accountant for more details.

International students: International students staying in the US for their internship will have some taxes deducted from their funding amount before receiving the funding; this means that the amount you receive will be less than the total award. The amount deducted depends on which country you are from and the tax treaty that the US has with that country. Generally, expect about 12-15% of your total award to be withdrawn. Please see the Clark payroll office for specific questions about your tax amount. International students doing their internship outside the US will not have taxes withdrawn or reported.