The Samo Alajbegović Fellowship provides funding to a select group of LSA students so that they can embark on immersive internship experiences in the countries bordering the Adriatic Sea—in art history, dolphin conservation, archeology, journalism, and other compelling subjects.
There are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to live and learn in Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, or Bosnia and Herzegovina while building your portfolio of hands-on work experience.
Who qualifies?
Fellowship applicants must be LSA students who’ve secured an internship in the Adriatic Sea region, specifically the countries of Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The student must also be returning to U-M for at least one term after their internship. The LSA Opportunity Hub has a range of highlighted positions in the Opportunity Network, but students who have secured positions independent of the Hub are also eligible.
How much is awarded?
Up to $5,000 per student to help cover costs like airfare, rent, and food.
How does the application process work?
Once you have secured your internship in the Adriatic Sea region, complete and submit an LSA Internship Scholarship application. Applicants must complete the general application, international internship conditional application, and the Alajbegovic application to be considered for the fellowship—all of which go live in January. If you have any questions about the funding application process, please contact LSAscholarships@umich.edu.
What’s the deadline?
Applications open in January and are accepted on a rolling basis through March. Exact dates will be announced the first week of January. Students won’t have to wait until the application closes to learn whether they’ve been granted an award—funds are given throughout that January–March period.
What else should I keep in mind?
The application process is competitive; we encourage those who qualify to submit their materials as early as they can.
What are some examples of qualifying internships?
The experiences and industries vary widely. In previous years, students have explored everything from art education at the Guggenheim Collection in Venice to marine research off the coast of Croatia.
I'm an alum/donor. How can I contribute to funding the fellowship?
Donate and make a contribution towards students working in this region. Their internships and research opportunities allow them to explore and add to the fields of archeology, marine biology, art history, biology, ecology, the humanities, and other subjects.
