Undergraduate Internship Scholarship

The Center for Japanese Studies provides a limited number of scholarships for undergraduate students who will participate in a summer internship with Japan-affiliated organizations. Approximately five to seven scholarships are awarded on a merit-basis in an annual competition each spring.

Important Note: It is the responsibility of the student to find the appropriate summer internship position, to complete the necessary application and to secure a position offer. For assistance in finding an appropriate position, contact the LSA International Internships Program, the International Programs in Engineering, the U-M Career Center, or the Engineering Career Resource Center.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be currently enrolled undergraduate degree students at the University of Michigan.
• Applicants must remain an undergraduate degree student at the University of Michigan during the period of the internship. Graduating seniors may not apply for a scholarship to participate in an internship following graduation.
• Recipients must participate in an eligible internship. The internship must meet the following criteria:
  • Internship must be located in Japan, or be explicitly involved with work pertaining to Japan.
  • Internship must be with a reputable government, for-profit, or non-profit organization in Japan.
  • Both unpaid and paid internships are eligible.
  • The length of the internship must be at least 6 weeks.
  • Students must devote at least 75% of their time (normal work hours) during the internship period to the internship position.
  • Internship may be for academic credit or not for credit.
  • Independent research and volunteer activities are not eligible.
• If eligible, students must also apply to the LSA Internship Scholarship, CoE International Internship Scholarship Program and/or other internship scholarships offered by their home school and/or department.

Scholarship Award

• Approximately 5-7 awards per year will be made.
• Maximum award amount is $5,000 for international internships, and $1,500 for domestic internships.
• Award amount may not exceed the actual cost of transportation, housing, and food during the internship.
• Scholarship may only be used to cover expenses associated with the internship, such as airfare, housing, commuting, and food.
• Recipients will be selected on the basis of academic merit by the Center for Japanese Studies Admissions and Fellowships Committee.
• International students may be subject to income tax withholding on the scholarship amount. Please consult the International Center if you have any questions.

Application Materials

• Application form: Complete the online application form.
• Statement of purpose (limit 1000 words): Please write a concise and coherent essay of no more than 1,000 words. Please explain why you want to participate in an internship in Japan and how this experience will contribute toward your overall academic and career goals. Please double-space and put your full name and UM ID at the beginning of the statement.
• Résumé: Please provide a current résumé. If you are not sure how to put a résumé together, please consult the UM Career Center for assistance.
• Two academic letters of recommendation: Please ask two people who know you well and can speak to your academic interests and abilities. Letters from course instructors, GSIs and academic advisors are acceptable. Recommendation must be completed by someone affiliated with UM. Only one of the two recommendation may be completed by a language instructor; at least one letter must be completed by an instructor of a content course (e.g., history, literature, anthropology, political science, engineering, business, art, etc.). You will first need to register information about the two people completing the recommendations; then, you will complete a form which will send an automated email request to the recommenders.
• Current UM official transcript: Please check the appropriate box on the Application Form to grant permission to CJS to access your academic record on Wolverine Access and put a copy in your application file (this is the preferred method).
• Copy of letter of acceptance for the internship (if available), or proof of application submission (such as confirmation of application receipt).

Deadline

• March 15 for internships taking place during the spring-summer term (May 1 to August 31) of the same year.
• Late applications will not be accepted.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Awards will be announced in late April.

Questions or Further Information

Please contact us at cjs.internships@umich.edu.