Doctoral Intern Fellowships with Rackham Host Organizations
Doctoral Intern Fellowships with Rackham host organizations provide doctoral students with opportunities to apply for internships with organizations that Rackham has built relationships with to develop mutually beneficial projects and host students.
Students may apply for internships with Rackham host organizations for the fall term, winter term, and spring/summer term.
Eligibility criteria vary by term. Please read the guidelines below carefully before applying to ensure your eligibility.
Writing Cover Letters and Resumes
For suggestions on writing cover letters and resumes, please visit the University Career Center, VersatilePhD, ImaginePhD, or this resource from our colleagues at Harvard’s Office of Career Services.
Upcoming Deadlines
Spring/Summer: February 13, 2023
Fall: February 24, 2023
Eligibility Requirements and Funding Information
Doctoral students who wish to receive Rackham funding for an internship with one of Rackham’s host organizations must meet the general eligibility criteria for the Rackham Doctoral Intern Fellowship Program below. Please read carefully, as the eligibility varies by term.
Only doctoral students enrolled in Rackham programs of study are eligible to receive funding. Please check your eligibility before applying.
Eligibility for All Terms
- Students must be in good academic standing. Students on academic probation or on a leave of absence are ineligible.
- Students must obtain authorization from their director of graduate studies (DGS) to apply.
- International students may participate in the program, but will need appropriate work authorization to do so. For internships off-campus, international students should consult with the International Center to discuss what work authorization and CPT course enrollment may be needed in order to participate in an internship well in advance of applying. Rackham Doctoral Intern Fellowships must be relevant to the student’s program of study and career goals. No additional work authorization is typically required for on-campus internship sites, but if international students hold other on-campus positions while completing an internship, they may still need curricular practical training (CPT). International students should consult with the International Center to discuss their specific circumstances.
- If you are selected for an internship, you must sign a student agreement, complete a work plan using Rackham’s template, and attend monthly cohort meetings (conducted remotely online) facilitated by Rackham staff during your internship.
- A student may only receive one Rackham Doctoral Intern Fellowship of any kind during their course of study at U-M. This includes RDIFs with host organizations and Student-Identified intern fellowships.
- Students may not hold other Rackham or departmental fellowships, GSI, GSSA, or GSI positions while completing a Rackham Doctoral Intern Fellowship. Students with other Spring/Summer fellowships should consult with their department (or other source of the funding) to discuss deferring other Spring/Summer support to a future date if they are awarded a Rackham Spring/Summer Doctoral Intern Fellowship.
Fall and Winter Term Additional Criteria and Funding
- Only doctoral students who have achieved candidacy are eligible to apply.
- Intern Fellows are expected to contribute to their internship 20 hours per week and receive a one-term fellowship package which includes candidacy tuition and fees, GradCare, and full stipend at the current Rackham fellowship rates.
Spring/Summer Term Additional Criteria and Funding
- Doctoral pre-candidates and candidates are eligible.
- Students must be enrolled during the winter term and continuing their studies in the fall term to be eligible.
- Students must be doctoral students who have completed at least two academic terms.
- In line with Rackham’s new 12-month funding plan for doctoral students, all Spring/Summer Rackham Doctoral Internships with our host organizations will now offer a full doctoral stipend (currently $12,028).
- As with other Rackham fellowships, students may work up to 10 hours per week in addition to completing their Rackham Doctoral Internship.
Students with questions about the criteria and guidelines should contact Rackham’s Professional Development and Engagement team.
Application Process and Materials
Students can view Rackham’s host organization opportunities and must apply through the Rackham Doctoral Intern Fellowship Application Portal.
Please read the project descriptions and application instructions carefully. Applicants must submit the following materials:
1. Departmental Approval
You must obtain authorization from your DGS indicating your eligibility to participate in the program if selected for an internship. Applications without DGS authorization will not be reviewed or considered by host organizations.
Students should send their DGS the form to complete in advance of the application deadline.
2. Cover Letter
A cover letter which includes the applicant’s full name, email address, and graduate program should be tailored to the specific organization and project. Your cover letter should be no more than two pages and answer these questions:
- What are the skills and experience you bring to the organization?
- What do you hope to learn from the internship experience with this organization?
3. Resume
You must include a current resume (not a CV) outlining your experience and qualifications. It should be no more than two pages. Best practice is to tailor your materials to the specific project and organization(s) to which you are applying.
4. Professional References
Please provide your full name and contact information for three references along with your resume. Upload your cover letter, resume, and references as a single PDF or Word document using Rackham’s application portal.
5. Interviews
Host organizations will schedule interviews with applicants. You can leverage the services of Rackham's embedded career counselor to prepare your cover letter, resume, and for your interview—appointments can include cover letter or resume review, tailored interview tips and strategies, as well as mock interviews. Schedule an appointment at the University Career Center's website.
Contact Professional and Academic Development
1530 Rackham Building
915 E. Washington St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070
Email: rack-intern@umich.edu
Phone: 734.647.4013
Fax: 734.936.2848
Hours
Professional and Academic Development is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The office is closed Saturdays and Sundays and on the following holidays: Thanksgiving (Thursday and the following Friday), Christmas through New Year’s, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4), and Labor Day.