Summer internships and research are transformative experiences that help students explore career interests, build skills, and clarify next steps in their careers. At Carleton, we are committed to ensuring that financial barriers don’t prevent students from pursuing valuable summer opportunities.
Through the Career Center’s Summer Internship Funding, students can apply for financial support up to $5,350 to help offset expenses associated with pursuing an unpaid or underpaid internship or summer experience.
Application Timeline
The Summer Internship Funding application is open now. Applications will be reviewed in several waves following the deadlines below. Students are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible, as the pool of available funding decreases with each cycle.
Application deadlines:
- Sunday, February 1, 2026 – 11:59 p.m. CST
- Sunday, March 1, 2026 – 11:59 p.m. CST
- Sunday, April 5, 2026 – 11:59 p.m. CST
- Sunday, May 3, 2026 – 11:59 p.m. CST
- After May 3, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through June 8, or until funding is exhausted.
Students will be notified of funding decisions within three weeks of the deadline they applied under.
Eligibility Details
To be eligible for summer internship funding, students must:
- Be currently enrolled as first-years, sophomores, or juniors who will return to Carleton and enroll in courses for the next academic year
- Be in good academic and social standing
- Secure an unpaid or underpaid summer experience that is at least 6 weeks long and a minimum of 240 hours
- Earn a “Success-Ready Résumé” designation by preparing a résumé aligned with Career Center and industry standards. Students meet with a Carleton career coach to have their résumés reviewed and approved, and are encouraged to schedule résumé appointments well in advance.
- Submit a summer funding application, host organization form, and budget form
Students are encouraged to review the detailed internship funding website for eligibility rules, application documents, and more.
How Families Can Support Preparation Now
Families play an important role in helping students prepare early. Encourage your student to begin working on their Success-Ready Résumé and start exploring potential summer internship options. Because students must have a confirmed summer experience before applying for funding, identifying and securing an opportunity is a critical early step.
Career Center staff and trained Student Career Assistants are available to help students clarify interests, evaluate opportunities, and stay on track as the February application opening approaches.