The Michael Young Award is an award for IR and POSC students, especially first-generation students, who wish to pursue a summer study abroad, internship, or supervised research opportunity in Europe. This scholarship awards between $500 to a maximum of $1500 to assist students in completing research projects, for travel and accommodation expenses, or tuition costs.

Eligible topics seeks to explore global challenges, and could range from issues relating to sustainability, health, immigration to security and foreign policy. In order to qualify for funding the internship or project must be an academically approved activity. The application must include a concise proposal letter of outlining the summer study abroad program, internship or research project. If you are applying for summer study abroad funding, you must include proof of admission (i.e. a letter from the instructor of the course), where you will be studying, the number of weeks, and a program description. If you are applying for research funding you must create a research proposal identifying your research question, and you research methods. If you are applying for internship funding you must include where you will be working, the number of weeks and hours per week you will be working, and a job description.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Must be either an IR, IRGB, INCO, IRGE, or POSC major
  • Must have completed IR 210, and at least one other IR 200-level methods course (if an IR major).
  • Recipients must be registered for the Spring 2026 term.
  • The study abroad program, research, or unpaid internship must be completed before the student graduates from USC Dornsife.

Application procedure:

Applications open: October 24, 2025
Deadline: November 7, 2025 at 11:59pm PST

Submit a completed Application Form and materials to Akeya Harmon at akeyahar@usc.edu.

Submit the following as a single PDF:

  1. An updated CV or resumé that is tailored to this award.
  2. A research or study abroad proposal, including if you have applied to other funding resources.
    • Study Abroad Proposal: Identify the sponsoring organization, its mission, its address, the name and contact information for the program’s supervisor, the nature of the course, the number of weeks and hours per week, and why it would be valuable to enroll in this program.
    • Research Proposal: Identify the research question and methods used to answer the question. Detail how you will use funding to complete your research. Please include the number of number of weeks and hours per week, and why it would be value to fund your research.
  3. A budget showing living expenses and travel to and from the site.
  4. A STARS Report
  5. Contact information for a USC Faculty member who you’ve asked for recommendation.

For students applying for Internship support

In order to disburse the award, POIR will require a letter from the organization offering the internship to the student for the specified period. This letter should also agree to provide POIR with a simple report on the student’s work at the end of the internship.

You may submit an application that contains all of the materials except this letter and provide the letter if the grant is approved and you decide to accept it.