The Summer Internship Awards (SIA) offer funding to support unpaid (and underpaid) off-campus internship opportunities: public sector, non-profit, or other unpaid summer internships and healthcare-related research opportunities (see below for eligibility). These awards are accompanied by a guided reflection process over the summer to help awardees get the most out of their internships. This award is administered by the Center for Life Beyond Reed (CLBR).
CLBR uses this definition of an internship from NACE:
An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional workplace setting (across in-person, remote, or hybrid modalities). Internships provide students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience, develop social capital, explore career fields, and make connections in professional fields. In addition, internships serve as a significant recruiting mechanism for employers, providing them with the opportunity to guide and evaluate potential candidates.
Award amounts for 2026 recipients will be up to $5,100 for a minimum of 320 hours over 8–10 weeks between the end of spring semester and the beginning of fall semester.
Reminder: many internships are paid. Visit our How to Find Opportunities page and search for paid internships in Handshake. Please also read our Summer Internship Awards and Budget FAQ.
International Students
There is funding from the Summer Experience Award (SEA) through the International Student Services office that is reserved for internships for international students. International students will automatically be considered for this funding.
Application Deadlines
- Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at noon pacific time
- Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at noon pacific time
- Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at noon pacific time
The application will close after each deadline while staff evaluate the application volume and remaining funding. As long as funding remains, the application will reopen shortly after each deadline has passed. If applications exceed available funding after any of the deadlines, then the application will not be re-opened, and that will be communicated on this website, and in the CLBR Newsletter.
Most funding decisions will be made after each deadline, though sophomores may receive earlier funding decisions. Funding decisions will be communicated within the application in SMApply, and via email.
Sophomores
For summer 2026, there is unlimited internship funding available to sophomores thanks to the Daniel Sophomore Exploration Fund. If all other funding is expended, the application will still re-open for sophomores for the remaining deadlines.
Eligibility
At the time of application, applicants must
- be currently enrolled at Reed;
- be a first year, sophomore, junior, or spring/fall senior who plans to be enrolled at Reed this fall;
- have already been offered an internship.
Students studying abroad through a college approved program are considered to be currently enrolled at Reed for the purposes of this program and are eligible to apply. Students who are on leave in spring semester are not eligible to apply.
Students are encouraged to apply to multiple funds, but students may not accept this award in addition to another Reed College-funded summer award intended to fund a full time opportunity over the summer.
Eligible Internships
In order to be eligible for funding, the internship
- must include at least 320 hours of work over 8–10 weeks in the summer between May 15, 2026, and August 30, 2026 (though the work can start earlier, or end later);
- must be off-campus (the internship cannot be with Reed College);
- must be unpaid or underpaid;
- must be with a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization or in the public sector (unpaid internships with for-profit or other types of organizations may be funded if the application demonstrates that they meet guidance from the Department of Labor);
- must primarily be an internship, and not a research opportunity (unless it is a clinical research opportunity at a research or healthcare facility)*;
- can be in-person, or remote.
Applications for support with for-profit/private sector businesses or individuals are generally not funded unless the application demonstrates that the internship will comply with the guidance (linked above) from the Department of Labor. Applications for support with for-profit businesses or individuals must address this guidance in the application.
*The SIA prioritizes funding internships, but research assistantships are also considered for funding. Clinical research opportunities at research or healthcare facilities are an exception, and are also eligible opportunities due to funding from the Daniel Healthcare Career Fund.
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:
- Connection to field of study or career goals
- Some experience or qualifications or preparation to be successful in the internship
- Articulation of learning outcomes of the internship, and how the internship host will support learning
- Carefulness, quality, and thoughtfulness of plan and adherence to all SIA guidelines
To Apply
All applications will be submitted in SurveyMonkey Apply (SMApply). The application consists of starting an application in SMApply, and then completing all of the tasks in the application. These consist of an eligibility form, an application form, a budget form, and uploading a resume. There's also form to send to your internship supervisor. Please read our FAQ as well.
Eligibility Form
The questions in this form confirm that both you and your internship are eligible for funding. If your internship is not with a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization or in the public sector, there will be a place to address how your opportunity complies with U.S. Department of Labor guidance (see above).
Application Form
The application includes five short response questions with word limits:
- Internship Overview (150 words): Please write a one-paragraph introduction that succinctly summarizes your proposed internship and the benefits to you.
- Organization's Mission & You (175 words):Please describe how the mission of the organization connects to your own values.
- Internship Tasks & Motivation (225 words): Please describe the work/project/activities you anticipate doing as well as a description of your motivation and interest in this area.
- If this work is similar to a role or organization that you have previously worked in or worked with, explain how this experience is different and introduces you to new skills and experiences.
- Relevant Skills (225 words): Please summarize the skills, knowledge, or other relevant preparation you will bring to this position.
- Desired Outcomes (225 words): Please outline the desired educational outcomes of this experience, how they apply to your goals, and how your internship host will support these outcomes.
Detailed Budget
Fill out the detailed budget form with your summer expenses and an explanation of how you will cover any expenses that exceed the award amount. Please read our budget FAQ if you haven't already.
Note: if you currently receive financial aid from Reed College, we will automatically increase your budget request by $2,000, up to the maximum award of $5,100. You do not need to take any action, or note this in your budget. CLBR staff will contact the financial aid department directly for this information.
Resume
Upload an up-to-date one page resume (PDF) summarizing any work and volunteer experiences relevant to your internship.
Internship Supervisor Approval Request
List your internship supervisor's contact information in this form so that they can review and confirm the details of your application. Internship supervisor approvals are also due by the same deadlines as for applications.
Next Steps
Applications will be reviewed by staff who will compare your application materials to the selection criteria (listed above) and confirm your eligibility, and the internship's eligibility for funding. Applications must be approved by both CLBR staff and the internship supervisor in order to be considered for funding by the application deadline.
Any applicant whose application needs revisions will have their application returned to them with comments and will need to resubmit by one of the application deadlines above. Applications missing the internship supervisor approval will not be considered for funding until after the next application deadline (except for sophomores).
You will be notified if we find that we are unable to offer you funding as soon as we are certain.
During, and after, the internship you'll need to participate in the reflection process over the summer as requested by the Center for Life Beyond Reed. You will also need to participate (if available) in a campus poster session in the Performing Arts Building (PAB) on Thursday September 3, 2026.
Contact as at clbrfellowships@reed.edu if you have any questions.
Travel Restrictions
Reed College typically does not permit college-funded travel to other countries that are categorized as level 4 (do not travel). Exceptions might be made for an applicant's home country. Travel to countries on a level 3 advisory warning might be allowed on a case-by-case basis, but there would need to be a strong case made in the application for why the travel is necessary, and how it can be done safely.
Intended travel countries must not be restricted at the time of application. If a travel country becomes restricted after you are awarded funds, we will work with you to find alternative plans.
Email clbrfellowships@reed.edu if you have any questions.
Funding Sources
The Summer Internship Awards are funded primarily by gifts from alumni, parents, and friends of the college. Funds that support the SIA include (but are not limited to):
- Arao/Singleton Dream Student Opportunity Fund
- Daniel Healthcare Career Fund (DHCF)
- Daniel Sophomore Exploration Fund (DSEF)
- DCR Opportunity Fund
- McGill Lawrence Internship: The McGill Lawrence used to be awarded separately. You can view legacy awardees here.
- Paxson Student Experience Award in the Performing Arts
- Saunders Center for Life Beyond Reed Support Fund
- Schroeder Student Opportunity Fund
- Summer Experience Award from International Student Services
- Walter Family Fund