Mellon Grant - Internship Proposal Form Logo

  • USF Mellon Humanities Internship Program: Funded Internship/Project Proposal Form

  • University of South Florida (USF) is accepting proposals for internships and work/applied projects from local community organizations, nonprofits (charitable 501(c)(3)/social welfare 501(c)(4)), and employers in the Greater Tampa Bay area, including Sarasota and St. Petersburg/Clearwater.

    Due to the generosity of the Mellon Foundation, USF has been awarded $4.8M to provide funded internship/experiential learning opportunities to humanities students from eight departments in the College of Arts and Sciences over the next five years.

    Organizations with approved internship proposals can host a USF student as an intern at no cost to the nonprofit/government partners and a 50% cost match for for-profit partners. The program meets the goals of the Mellon Foundation grant by supporting community-driven projects and strengthening community outreach and engagement.

    Although proposals are currently being accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, intern placement for the USF Mellon Humanities Internship Program begins Fall/August 2025.

    Internship proposals will be selected by USF based on the quality of the experiential learning opportunity and alignment with the goals and purpose of the Mellon Foundation grant.  

    PLEASE INCLUDE ONLY ONE INTERNSHIP/PROJECT PER PROPOSAL FORM. 

    Multiple openings (several students) doing similar tasks/projects can be considered in one proposal. However, if you have various types of internships/projects with different duties and objectives, please submit additional proposal forms for each type or separate role. 

  • Proposed Internship/Project

  • Internship Learning Objectives:

    Organizations must ensure that student interns are given opportunities in the form of projects, assignments, or work. Consider the following question:

    • At the end of the internship, what will students have learned? What will they take with them from this internship back into the classroom or onto their next job? 

    Learning outcomes often take the form of skill development, including soft (essential) skills in addition to technical ones. Review the article by the National Association of Colleges and Employers on how employers can develop interns in areas critical to their careers. 

    Example Learning Outcomes: 

    1. Develop Professional Communication Skills: Enhance written and verbal communication skills by drafting emails, reports, and presentations, and participating in meetings and discussions.
    2. Improve project management skills: Create, track, and deliver project materials on time and/or collaborate on team-based projects.
    3. Enhance Teamwork and Collaboration: Work effectively as part of a team, contributing to group projects, and collaborating with colleagues to achieve common goals.
    4. Build Professional Network: Establish connections with professionals in the field, attend networking events, and seek mentorship opportunities to build a professional network.
    5. Build technical skills related to [software, online tools, technology systems].

    If you have further questions about developing an effective internship program, please reach out to TPA-internships@usf.edu.

  • Proposal Submission Review Process & Timeline

    Once proposals are submitted, they will be reviewed for approval by the department coordinator. Proposals are reviewed as they are received. 

    You will receive an email with a Site Agreement (3-year partnership agreement with USF). Once the site agreement is returned, you will be notified about the outcome of your proposal within two weeks.

    Once proposals are approved and accepted, the following process will occur:

    1. The internship/project will be posted on Handshake, our job board for USF employers and students. The internship/project will begin to be promoted to students, who will apply for the role using their resumes. Organizations can begin to review applications as they are received and are responsible for the selection/hiring decision. 
    2. Once the student accepts the internship/project, Organizations will provide the student an Offer Letter containing the details, including the date of hire and date of anticipated completion. Students will use this Offer Letter to enroll in their internship course. Participating students/interns will earn credit for the internship in addition to receiving payment for the hours worked. 

    Thank you for your interest in participating as an internship site partner for the USF Mellon Grant Humanities Internship program. 

    Questions regarding this program should be directed to the Center for Career and Professional Development at TPA-internships@usf.edu. 

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