The Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics will award up to 6-8 Salem State students a $3,000 stipend for the completion of an internship or other similar professional experience in politics or public service during the Summer of 2024. This document contains more details about eligibility and how to apply. Please email BerryIOP@salemstate.edu with any questions.
Award Amount: $3,000 each
Application Deadline: Sunday, April 21st
Decision Announcement: Wednesday, May 1
Please note that selected recipients will not receive their scholarship until eight weeks after they’ve submitted paperwork due to a processing period.
Applicant Requirements
-
Undergraduate or graduate student, any major, any year; preference will be shown to applicants returning to Salem State in Fall 2024.
-
Applicant must be making satisfactory academic progress (2.0 GPA or higher) at Salem State.
-
Applicant must have already identified and/or secured an internship or other similar experience ahead of applying. This work must be in the area of politics, public service, advocacy, or law. Eligible types of work include but are not limited to an elected official’s office, government agency, non-profit, advocacy organization, or public interest legal services. Internships may NOT be with faculty at a university or with an active political campaign. Internship stipends will only be provided to secured, identified internships with supervisor confirmation. Preference will be shown to secured internships.
-
Applicant’s internship or other professional experience must be for a minimum of six weeks with at least 120 total hours of work.
-
Applicant does not need to be receiving academic credit for this internship.
-
Following the internship, the successful applicant must be willing to participate in an interview or questionnaire describing what they have gained from their internship experience along with a photo that can be used in future marketing.
-
Successful applicants may also be asked to participate in future Berry IOP panels or events.
Selection Process
-
Application packets must be submitted to the Berry IOP by Sunday, April 21st at 11:59 pm.
-
Each qualified applicant may be interviewed by staff members from the Berry IOP via Zoom or in our office located in Meier Hall 316.
-
Preference will be shown to applicants whose internships are unpaid or are paid Massachusetts minimum wage ($15 USD/hr) or below (either hourly or as a stipend from their employer).
-
Applicants cannot be receiving internship stipends from other sources (i.e., The Congressional Internship Stipend).
-
Applicants will be notified of the Berry IOP’s decision the week of May 1st 2024
How to Apply
Please email the following (single .pdf or Word file preferred) to BerryIOP@salemstate.edu and put SUMMER SCHOLARSHIP 2024 in the subject line.
-
Resume
-
Include your major and GPA.
-
-
Answer the following questions. Each response should be 200 words or less.
-
Identify your summer 2024 internship for which you are seeking funding. Please include organization, title, and responsibilities.
-
Briefly describe your skills, knowledge, and prior work experience as it relates to your upcoming internship. You can include internships, volunteer work, paid labor, nonprofit/club involvement, awards, etc.
-
How does your internship work relate to civic engagement, politics or public service?
-
How will the completion of this internship assist you in reaching your professional goals?
If the internship is already confirmed, please provide a letter from your supervisor/employer describing the following. If you are still waiting for confirmation, this information will be required before stipends can be dispersed, with a deadline of May 10, 2024.
-
A letter from your supervisor/employer describing the following:
-
A confirmation of your employment, your dates of employment, and number of hours you will be working each week.
-
A list of your duties and responsibilities.
-
Whether your internship will be paid by your employer, and your hourly wage/stipend amount.
-
Your supervisor’s contact information
-
Find an Internship
Are you interested in doing an internship but not sure where to start? Check out these helpful resources:
Civic Engagement Internship Opportunities
Civic Engagement Organizations