2026 Student Success Micro Internships

Student Success Micro Internships Project Proposal Form

2026
What is a Micro-Internship?
A Micro-internship is a paid, short-term (100 hours maximum) internship delivered in partnership between MU professional service units and students.
The programme is managed and supported by the MU Careers and Employability Service and funded by the THRIVE Initiative’s Student Engagement through Partnership (StEP) Fund.

Who can submit a project proposal?
We invite administrative, technical or professional staff (ATP) from all professional service units/departments within Maynooth University to submit a project proposal.

When can I submit a proposal?
ATP staff can submit a Micro Internship proposal form at any time from Wednesday, 7 January 2026 until 12:00 pm on Friday, 6 February 2026.

When can projects happen?
Successful projects take place between June 2026 and September 2026. Ideally, projects should not commence until after orientation (Thursday, 4 June 2026) and should be completed before students return to classes in Semester 1, 2026 (Monday, 21 September 2026).

Questions regarding the Micro Internship Programme?
Visit our website for more information, including:
- Past student blogs and projects
- Details of our online drop‑in sessions for ATP staff, available if you have questions about the initiative, process, or project proposal
- You can also e-mail us at MicroInternships@mu.ie
Deadline for submissions is 12:00 pm on Friday, 6 Feburary 2026. A copy of your submission will automatically be forwarded to your Head of Unit for reference also.
Academic CouncilAccess OfficeAdmissions and Student Recruitment OfficeBursar's OfficeCapital DevelopmentEstates OfficeCareers and Employability ServiceCentre for Teaching and LearningConferring OfficeCurriculum Services OfficeDevelopment and Alumni Relations OfficeData Protection OfficeVice President Students & LearningCritical SkillsStudent EngagementDeans' OfficeExaminations and Assessment OfficeExternal Relations OfficeFaculty of Arts and HumanitiesFaculty of Social SciencesFaculty of Science and EngineeringFreedom of Information OfficeGoverning AuthorityGraduate Research AcademyGreen CampusHealth & Safety OfficeHuman ResourcesInformation SecurityInternational OfficeIT ServicesLibraryMaynoothWorksMediation ServicesOifig na GaeilgePresident's OfficeProcurement & ContractsRegistrar's OfficeRegistryRegistry Policy OfficeResearch Development & SupportSecurity OfficeQuality Assurance and Enhancement OfficeStudent Fees and Grants OfficeStudent Records and RegistrationStudent ResidencesStudent ServicesStudent Skills and SuccessStudent Vetting OfficeTimetabling OfficeOffice of the Vice President for Equality and DiversityOther
Head of Unit(s)*
Head of Unit(s) / E-mail*
example@example.com
Project Mentor(s) Details

The project mentor is the main point of contact for the micro-intern. Please add additional mentors if required.
Primary Project Mentor (Main Point of Contact)*

PrefixFirst NameLast Name
Project Mentor Email*
example@example.com
YesNo

Project Details
Note:
If your project proposal is successful, the information provided here will be used to advertise the project.

Please include concrete roles and responsibilities which can be used to promote the position. Additionally, when outlining the role and requirements of the student, please take into consideration that this opportunity will be advertised to students of all levels (undergraduate and postgraduate) and disciplines.

To view an example Micro Internship job specification and the Micro Internship judging criteria, please click HERE
Position Title (The role that will be advertised to students e.g. Marketing Micro Intern)*
Please consider how the title may appeal to students
20 hours30 hours40 hours50 hours60 hours70 hours80 hours90 hours100 hours
Full TimePart TimeUnknown - To be finalised depending on student availability
Based on campusWork from homeHybrid
Note: Ideally, projects should not commence until after orientation (Thursday, 4 June 2026) and should be completed before students return to classes in Semester 1, 2026 (Monday, 21 September 2026).
Preferred Project Start Date*

DayMonthYear
Preferred Project End Date*

DayMonthYear
Please use this space to comment on the above selection and provide the student with more information on working arrangements, such as expected weekly hours, required working days (if an event/core project meeting is taking place).
This information is important to students who may have another part-time job.
Overview of Office*
Background to the office and the work you do. (300 words maximum)
Proposed Project Details*
Brief synopsis of your proposed project. This should include the project scope, location and context of how this project fits into the overall objectives of the host office. (300 words maximum)
Tasks to be completed by the Student *
Highlight, using bullet points, the key tasks that the student will be responsible for accomplishing. This programme is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students at Maynooth University, so please consider the language being used. (300 words max)
The ideal candidate will have:*
Highlight, using bullet points if possible, the necessary knowledge and skill set that you require from a student to undertake this project successfully and to achieve the necessary outputs. (250 words max)
Benefits to the Student*
Articulate the skills, knowledge and abilities that you believe the student will gain as a result of participating in this project. (250 words maximum)
What is the outcome the student will produce for the Unit at the end of their Micro-Internship? *
Micro Internships are project based and focused on a specific outcome / deliverable. e.g. Presentation / Report / One Pager etc.
How will student partnership enhance this project?*
Please indicate how the project will operate with a partnership ethos. What key relationships will be in place? How will the work be scheduled and developed with the student?(300 words max)
Note on Interviews:
Your chosen interview date will be advertised alongside the role so students have advance notice of this. Once opportunities have closed to students on Tuesday 7th April, the Careers and Employability Service will share applicatons with you ASAP. You will then have approximately 2.5 weeks to shortlist, interview and select your candidate. Please schedule interviews between Monday 13th April and Thursday 30th April. You must submit your top candidate(s) to us by end of day on Thursday 30th April.
Preferred Date for Interviews. *

DateMonthYear
Please use this space or the upload option below if you wish to outline / attach further details

0/100
Upload any additional files here

Optional
Cancelof
Programme Requirements

Each successful student participating in the Micro Internship Programme is required to complete the following, in addition to the work outlined by the host unit/office:
- Attend a one‑day Orientation (04 June 2026) and a Developmental Day (September 2026 – exact date to be confirmed).
- Complete an online reflective blog during the experience. This allows students to reflect on their learning and skills development and also provides a promotional opportunity to showcase the work of host offices and student–staff partnerships.
Project Duration and Funding
- Projects must be a maximum of 100 hours in duration and may be undertaken on a part‑time or full‑time basis between June and September. A full‑time project equates to approximately 2.5 weeks.
- If successful, Micro Internship projects are 50% funded by the THRIVE Initiative’s StEP Fund, with the remaining 50% funded by the host office.
- Students are paid at the Administrative Standard rate (€17.54 per hour as of January 2026). This funding covers the cost of the student resource only and is paid directly to the student. Any additional costs associated with the project (e.g. materials, travel, equipment) are expected to be covered by the host office.
Resources, Confidentiality, and Supervision
- If your project is successful, students are expected to have appropriate access to resources and tools required to complete the project. This may include (but is not limited to): desk space where applicable, access to relevant software or hardware, meeting rooms for interviews or focus groups, tools for fieldwork, and access to existing data, reports, or databases.
- Students may be required to adhere to confidentiality, data protection, and ethical guidelines relevant to the host office and project.
- While some projects may involve multiple staff members (e.g. primary and secondary mentors), it is essential that each Micro Intern has a named primary mentor. Regular check‑in meetings should take place to monitor progress, set and review tasks, and support the student’s learning and development.
I have read and understand the above programme practicalities and requirements, and by pressing submit I confirm I am submitting my project proposal in accordance with the above guidance.
Please note that the primary project mentor will be notified of the outcome of their application. All project mentors will be invited to a mentor’s briefing on Thursday June 04th 2026 if successful.

If you have any queries concerning this form or Micro Internships at MU, please e-mail Rebecca at MicroInternships@mu.ie or visit our website for the scheme timeline, support documents and to read about previous projects.
Should be Empty:

Rows	Prefix	First Name	Last Name	Contact E-mail Address
Additional Mentor 1
Additional Mentor 2
Additional Mentor 3

Student Success Micro Internships Project Proposal Form

Project Mentor(s) Details

Project Details