Graduate Student Career Exploration Grant

The CAPD Career Exploration Grant awards a small grant ($1,000 or $1,500) to graduate students to help cover the cost of completing a one-month underfunded domestic internship over IAP in a career field they would like to explore further. Underfunded opportunities are defined as opportunities paying less than $2,000 over the one-month IAP.  Funding cannot be used for trainings, classes, or experiences outside of the US. MBA students are not eligible for this grant.

Applicants can request funds within the following ranges:

Application deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds have been allocated. If you would like to apply for the grant after November 15th, contact Tavi Sookhoo (tsookhoo@mit.edu) to inquire whether are funds are still available. 

Combine your responses to the short answer questions with the offer letter from your host organization into one PDF and upload it to Handshake. Separately, upload your resume.

Attention International Students: Review this guidance to ensure your eligibility before applying for the Graduate Student Career Exploration Grant.

Describe the organization and the project you will be working on. Share the company name and website. 

How many weeks is the experience? How many hours per week? 

What compensation (if any) are you receiving from the host organization? Types of compensation can include a stipend, hourly rate, housing, or transportation. Specify the type and amount if possible. 

What funding will you be receiving from MIT during the month of January? List all of your funding sources during this time period, please include start and end dates. 

Discuss how this experience will help you explore your career interests (maximum 250 words) 

Specify the amount you are requesting ($1,000 or 1,500). How will the amount you're requesting help you complete this experience? (maximum 250 words) Funds are intended to offset expenses students incurred by completing the experience. Examples of expenses can include travel, transportation, housing, food or living expenses. 

Which of the following professional development competencies will this experience help you develop? Please discuss one competency and how this experience will help you develop it. (200 words) 

Have you discussed your plans for an internship over IAP with your advisor?  Choose one of the options listed below

Is there anything else we should know about you? 

Questions about the grant? Contact Tavi Sookhoo - tsookhoo@mit.edu.

Questions about writing the application? Use Handshake to schedule an appointment with a CAPD career advisors, Tavi Sookhoo or Alexis Boyer.

Additional details are found on CAPD's website