EXCEL Internship Fund

EXCEL recognizes that real-world learning experiences are essential to the success of students as emerging professionals in the world of the performing arts, and internships are one avenue towards gaining that experience. The EXCEL Internship Fund provides students grant awards up to $2,000 ($3,000 in exceptional cases) to offset expenses related to underpaid or underfunded internship experiences.

SMTD students awarded funding for internships must follow guidelines for University of Michigan Related Travel (UMRT) in order for awards to be issued. To prepare for travel, please refer to the U-M Global Engagement website for resources on travel safety and wellness.

Please note that Internship Fund awards are issued in the form of financial aid awards. Make sure you are aware of how this funding may affect you by contacting the Office of Financial Aid.

All awards will be taxed according to Federal Laws, and unfortunately, EXCEL cannot make up for any differentials that may result.

Need Additional Support?
Students are encouraged to sign up for coaching with an EXCEL staff member prior to submitting their application. Questions regarding eligibility or application requirements may be directed to [email protected].

Updated: 8/2026

Application Deadlines

Fall/Winter 2026/2027: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis during the academic year. Please expect up to two weeks before decision notification.

Spring/Summer 2027 (early decision): March 12, 2027 / notification date: March 26, 2027

Spring/Summer 2027: April 16, 2027 / notification date: April 30, 2027

After the final deadline, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, typically through June 1 or until all funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. Due to high demand from SMTD students, it is recommended to apply as early as possible.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must be a current undergraduate or graduate student in SMTD at the time of application and be returning in the following academic term.
- Internships after graduation do not qualify for funding. For internships that begin in the summer, students must be returning to SMTD in the Fall term.
Applicant must have an internship experience secured in order to apply for funding.
Students who have received other project awards from EXCEL (i.e., Enterprise Fund, Performing Arts EXCELerator) are still eligible to apply for the Internship Fund.
- Students who have been awarded paid EXCEL Internships are not eligible to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances.
International students should consult the International Center regarding their eligibility to work before applying.
Internships may or may not be taken for ARTSADMN 491/591 credit; please contact Prof. Jay Pension ([email protected]) if you intend to enroll for credit.

Criteria for Internship Funding

EXCEL follows the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) guidelines for what defines an internship. Before applying, be sure that your internship meets NACE Criteria.
Applicant must demonstrate why the internship is crucial to their professional and educational development.
- Note: If the opportunity is akin to an “internship” in your respective field (e.g., apprenticeships,) please include in your narrative what about this professional experience makes it equivalent to an internship.
Applicant must include proof of their secured internship by submitting an offer letter from the organization.
Applicant must demonstrate a clear financial need for funding.
Internships may be paid or unpaid.

Eligible Expenses

The Internship Fund is dedicated to supporting student internships that foster Career Readiness. It does NOT typically fund the cost of artistic work occurring over the summer, such as costs associated with participation in a conference, competition, audition, training program, summer festival, or other routine curricular activity.

Examples of eligible expenses include:

Housing
Transportation (e.g., airfare, rental car, train ticket, gas for commuting, etc.)
Food
Equipment or software required to complete the internship virtually, if not provided by your employer

Examples of ineligible expenses include:

Expenses incurred from personal travel or vacations
Regular expenses that a student pays outside of their internship (e.g. car payments, auto insurance, long-term medical expenses, credit card bills, etc.)
Entertainment expenses

Please also note that the Internship Fund is NOT intended to supplement paid internships with one of EXCEL’s current host organizations as listed on the EXCEL Internships website.

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How to Apply

Submit the following documents through the Internship Fund 2026-2027 Internship Initiation form (within Canvas).

Application information and narrative will be captured via text response in the form, the Project Budget should use the provided template and be uploaded as a PDF.

Grant Form Elements

Your name
Type of internship: EXCEL partnered or self-sourced
Internship information, including:
- What is the timeframe, modality/location, and hourly commitment of the position?
- What are the core responsibilities of the position? Describe the specific duties or projects for which you will be responsible.
- Will you have direct supervision by a professional with relevant experience and experience?
Learning goals
- Two areas of growth and determine ONE thing you hope to do in your internship to begin to improve in your skill gaps?
- How will these learning goals impact your professional development, and how does the opportunity relate to your overall career goals? (~200 words)
Degree information
Funding Questions
- Is your internship paid or unpaid?
- What is the amount or rate?
- Describe a clear rationale for why you require funding to engage in this internship. Your budget should reflect this rationale. You may choose to include details about your personal financial circumstances.(~200 words)

Project Budget

Use the EXCEL Internship Fund Budget Template to outline the income and expenses associated with your internship. Your budget should reflect your request amount from the Internship Fund and balance to zero. Please review eligible and ineligible expenses above.

List all of your expenses. Indicate which line items the internship award will cover.
Include any compensation that you expect to receive from the hosting organization or company.
Non-monetary compensation may be included under in-kind income.
Include any secured funding from other sources (U-M grants, awards, etc.) as part of the budget.

Supporting Materials

Required: A faculty recommender must complete an online recommendation form. (No letter required.) The form will ask the following:
- To what degree do you believe this student will benefit from this internship? (Scale of 1-5)
- To what degree do you believe this student is qualified and/or prepared for this internship? (Scale of 1-5)
- Optional: Do you have any other comments in support of this student’s application for internship funding? (Limit response to 100 words.)
Required: A written statement from the host organization confirming your standing internship offer including start/end dates, number of hours required for the internship, and general responsibilities of the role.

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