Whitman Internship Grant (WIG)

What is the Whitman Internship Grant?

The Whitman Internship Grant (WIG) is a competitive grant that provides funding to students who secure or build an unpaid internship opportunity at nonprofit organizations, some for-profit organizations, and government offices. A Whitman Internship Grant may be provided for a semester or for a domestic/international summer experience. 

If you are interested in posting an unpaid internship opportunity to hire a student, visit our Recruit at Whitman page. 

Student Eligibility Requirements 

Any Whitman student who is eligible to work in the U.S. and is currently enrolled as a full time student may apply. International students who are permanent residents or who have received OPT/CPT authorization may apply. For questions about OPT or CPT contact Greg Lecki. Students who have never applied for or received grant funding are strongly encouraged to apply. Students may be eligible to apply for and receive up to three terms of funding (this includes receiving a Summer WIG). 

Internship Eligibility Requirements 

For an internship to be eligible for funding, it must abide by the the Fair Labor Standards Act. It is the applicant's responsibility to confirm that their unpaid internship meets the legal criteria.  The internship must be high-impact and be relevant to the student's educational goals and/or career interests. The internship cannot take place at Whitman College or involve religious work, and it must last the duration of the grant timeframe that the applicant is pursuing (year-long, semester, or summer).

To find current opportunities, browse the listing of WIG-eligible internships on Handshake. 

Resources available to you:

• The Whitman Internship Grant Database contains years of information about where our recipients have held internships.
• Student Career Advisors are available to help you no matter where you are in the application process. They an also help you find more information on the OPT/CPT process. 
• You can schedule an appointment on Handshake with one of our Career Coaches to help you create a plan to apply.

If you have any questions or would like to learn how to prepare, email Nadine Stecklein, Assistant Director for Internship Programs, at stecklen@whitman.edu.

Spring 2024 Whitman Internship Grant applications open November 1st 2023.  The deadline for submissions is January 19 2024 at 5:00 PM PT.

Summer 2024 Whitman Internship Grant Applications open Febuary 1st. The deadline for submissions are March 1st, April 1st, and May 17th at 5:00 PM PT.

Important Summer 2024 WIG Info (PDF)

Whitman Internship Grant Student-Supervisor Contract (PDF)

Whitman Internship Grant Rubric

Whitman Internship Grant Blank Application

2024 WIG Budget (spreadsheet)

APPLICATIONS OPEN