An internship can be a valuable part of a college education and a stepping-stone to a career after college.

Thanks to the generosity of our School of International Relations (SIR) alumni, we offer select students a maximum stipend of $2,000 for a minimum 10-week unpaid internship.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be either an IR, IRGB, INCO or IRGE major;
  • GPA of 3.4 or higher;
  • Must have completed IR 210, and at least one other IR 200 level methods course;
  • Recipients must be registered for the Spring 2026 term; and
  • The internship or research must be completed before the student graduates from USC Dornsife.

Application procedure:

Applications open:
Deadline:

Submit an application form with the following materials:

  1. A short CV or resume customized to this internship application.
  2. A personal statement (250 words) identifying the sponsoring organization, its mission, its address, the name and contact information for the intern’s supervisor, the nature of the intern’s work, the number of hours per week, and why it would be valuable to hold this internship. Additionally please note if you have applied to other funding resources.
  3. A simple budget showing living expenses for the internship period and travel to and from the site.

If the internship will count for USC credit, then provide the name of the faculty member who will supervise your work.

Ask a USC faculty member to submit a recommendation on your behalf. We will reach out to the faculty email provided in the application to request their recommendation.

In order to disburse the award, POIR will need a letter from the organization offering the internship to the student for the specified period, and agreeing to provide POIR with a simple report on the student’s work at the end of the internship.

This letter will be due if your award is approved and when you accept it.