Apply for Funding

The Arts Internship Awards have been established through the generous support of McGill alumni and the Arts Undergraduate Society to help students gain practical experience through internships. They are designed to provide partial funding to assist students with travel and other expenses related to their internship. The awards are open to undergraduate and graduate students who will be returning to McGill in the same program the semester following their internship. Students are selected based upon the quality of their internship proposal and their own academic and personal accomplishments.

Faculty of Arts Internship Awards 

Deadline for summer 2024: March 17, 2024 11:59 pm. 
Other resource available: Enriched Educational Opportunities Bursaries

If you have any questions about your funding application:

  1. Read all the sections of the left-hand menu of this page.
  2. Email your questions at aio [at] mcgill.ca 
  3. Come to drop-in hours in Leacock 307 or email us to request an online appointment.

Please note that any questions must be submitted the Friday before the deadline as our office is closed on weekends. If you face technical difficulties applying during the weekend, kindly send us a detailed email with screenshots and we will get back to you after the deadline.

Award Information Session - Recording

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

  • Open to full time* Faculty of Arts students (B.A., B.A & Sc., BSW, B.Th., M.A, MSW, MISt)
  • Must be returning to McGill in the same program the semester following the internship
  • Must have secured an internship with an approved host organization
  • Internship must take place during the summer (May-August)
  • Internship should be approximately 8–12 weeks in duration
  • Minimum CGPA of 2.7*

* If you have experienced barriers which have had an impact on your academic performance and wish to highlight these to the selection committee, the documents or comments will be taken into consideration in the application process.

Ineligibility

The following are not eligible for funding through the awards:

  • Activities that are primarily academic research
  • Field studies and courses
  • Internships with third-party & fee-based internship placement organizations

Please note: Internships with for-profit, corporate, or privately held companies should be paid. If you would like to discuss your situation please email anne.turner [at] mcgill.ca or jade.perraudlebouter [at] mcgill.ca 

Selection Criteria

  • Cumulative academic performance
  • Quality of internship proposal including learning goals and outcomes and mentorship
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Degree to which the internship will contribute to the student’s educational and professional development
  • Relevant work, volunteer experience and/or extra-curricular involvement
  • Other criteria as defined by the selection committee
  • Priority given to in-person internships

Application

Instructions

The award application is an online form. You will be asked to sign in with your McGill email and password. Please make sure that you are eligible to apply for awards before you start the application.

Please note that any questions must be submitted the Friday before the deadline as our office is closed on weekends. If you face technical difficulties applying during the weekend, kindly send us a detailed email with screenshots and we will get back to you after the deadline.

Unfortunately, the Arts Internship Office cannot review individual applications prior to submission. We can answer general applications about the application process.

 

All parts of the application must be submitted between application start and end dates, including this online form and reference letter.

What to Prepare for the Webform Application

  • Recommendation Letter - Applicants must have one letter of recommendation as part of their award application. The letter must be from a McGill professor (faculty member or lecturer). Letters should be no more than 350 words in length and describe the capacity in which your referee knows you (academic, character, work etc.). Letters should be emailed directly to anne.turner [at] mcgill.ca before the submission of the webform application.
Section 1: Personal & Academic Information
  • Your personal and academic information
  • Confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria*
    *** If you feel you have experienced barriers which have had an impact on your academic performance and wish to highlight these to the selection committee, the "Further comments" box at the end of the application form will be taken into consideration in the application process.
Section 2: Personal Statement & Transcript
  • Personal statement (max 750 words), uploaded as a PDF named in the format "lastname.firstname_ps".
    • In this statement, you are asked to provide:
      - a detailed personal statement explaining your interest in the internship and how it is related to your field of study,
      - degree to which the duties performed as an intern will contribute to your educational and professional development,
      - what learning goals and outcomes do you hope to accomplish during your internship.
  • CV or resume uploaded as a PDF, named in the format "lastname.firstname_CV"
  • Unofficial transcript uploaded as a PDF or JPG, named in the format "lastname.firstname_transcript".
  • CGPA - Give only numerical value of most recent CUM GPA (ex: 3.47). You may explain any issue with your CGPA in the Further comments box at the end of the form.
  • If you intend on receiving academic credit for this internship.

Section 3: Internship Host Organization Information

  • Written confirmation of the internship from the host organization outlining the nature of the proposed internship, including specific discussion of learning goals; must also include the internship schedule, the name and title of the job site supervisor and value of any remuneration or other benefits offered, uploaded as a PDF or JPG, named in the format "lastname.firstname_host confirmation".
    • If done in letter format, it must be signed by your host organization.
    • If done by screenshot of email conversation, it must clearly show the sender, the recipient, and the date the email was sent.
  • A detailed description of the host organization. (max 500 words).
  • Internship Activities and Duties (max 500 words). Please describe your role at the host organization including the major activities and duties you will undertake as an intern. Please also describe how these duties are related to your academic field of study at McGill.
  • Host organization Internship Supervisor information (name, title/function, email address, phone number)
  • Mentorship provided by the internship supervisor to the intern, specifying the mentoring components such as specific learning objectives designed to increase the intern's knowledge, and guidance and training for the intern to hone existing skills and develop additional ones. 
    • Instructions: Please send your internship supervisor the following request, and copy their response in the text field: Please indicate a summary of the mentorship component of the internship. Please include: (1) The internship learning goals and outcomes; (2) How the on-site supervisor will provide the intern with mentorship and feedback in line with these learning goals.
  • Internship details: start and end dates, stipend if applicable, hours per week, paid or unpaid, etc.
  • Internship location and on how will the internship be conducted:
    • In-person (You will be conducting the entirety of your internship at the host organization office location)
    • Remote (You will not be traveling to the internship or for the internship. This means 100% of your internship will be conducted virtually.)
    • Hybrid (You will conduct the internship at the host organization office location (with a specified number of days in the office determined by the host organization).
  • Accommodations during the internship
    • Confirm that you have financial means to cover accommodations for the duration of the internship.
    • Confirm that you have sufficient travel and medical insurance (that covers medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, and trip cancellation and interruption) in the country you are staying, for the duration of your internship.
Section 4: Travel
  • Please advise if you will be required to travel during the internship (ex. conference, meetings, research, etc.). If yes, please specify the list of cities and countries and reason for travel.

  • For students conducting internships outside of Montreal

    • Confirm that you will register your travel on the Mandatory McGill Student Travel Registry app, no later than 4 weeks before the start of my internship.

      • The McGill Student Travel Registry is mandatory for all university-related travel outside of Montreal.

  • For students conducting internships outside of Canada: upload the Pre-Departure Orientation certificate. 
    • Pre-Departure Orientation is mandatory for all university-related travel outside of Canada. 
      • We recommend completing Pre-departure 3-6 months prior to departure for your international activity.
    • You will be required to download the certificate of completion in your application. The certificate is valid for 1 calendar year from the date of issue.
  • Read the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination.
    • You must acknowledge that at the time of your application, the internship location does not fall into the "Avoid non-essential travel" or "Avoid all travel" categories.
Section 5: Budget
  • Budget outlining expenses associated with your internship, using the budget template here: Office spreadsheet icon budgettemplateforawardapplication_1.xls, uploaded as an MS Excel file (xls/xlsx) or PDF, named in the format "lastname.firstname_budget"
  • Confirm if you applied for funding from other McGill offices for your internship.
    • Arts Internship Awards applicants should not be receiving funding from other McGill offices with exception of any funding from the Enriched Educational Opportunities Bursaries (EEO), or any funding from the McGill Student Aid Office.
  • Award Amount: If selected for an award, there is no guarantee that the award will cover the entirety of the budget submitted.
    • Confirm that you understand that the awards are designed to provide partial funding to interns to off-set internship related costs.
  • Award Disbursement Dates: Award funds will be issued in two disbursements in mid-June and mid-July.
    • Confirm that, if selected for an award, you are prepared to cover any costs before the awards are disbursed.
Section 6: Handbook & Declaration 
  • Recommendation Letter from a McGill Professor: the letter of recommendation must be submitted by the deadline for your application to be complete.

    • Confirm that your letter of recommendation has been sent from a McGill professor to anne.turner [at] mcgill.ca before the deadline.

  • Handbook - confirm that you have read the Handbook for Faculty of Arts Interns and will comply with the award recipients responsibilities - before, during and after the internship.

  • Declaration

    • Declare that the information contained in this application is accurate and true.

    • Understand that you are obligated to return all internship award money received if you have falsified any information on your application, or if you do not satisfactorily complete the internship.

  • Permission

    • Give permission for all application materials including transcripts, internship information and recommendation letters to be copied and distributed by the Arts Internship Office to the awards selection committee for the purpose of selection.

  • Further comments

    • Applicants may add further comments related to their application. Any urgent questions should be sent directly to the Arts Internship Office by e-mail at aio [at] mcgill.ca.

Students will be informed of results by the week of April 8, 2024.

Budget

Awards are allocated based on the individual merit of the applicant and the specific costs associated with the nature and location of the internship. Please note that the Faculty of Arts Internship Awards are designed to offer financial support to assist students undertaking internships. They offer partial funding and are not meant to cover all expenses.

Drafting a budget is an important part of the application process. The selection committee will expect you to have done careful research to come up with a budget amount that is reasonable and appropriate for your internship.

Research and estimate your internship expenses as accurately as you can at the time of application. A proper budget will include, but is not limited to:

  • Transportation
  • Accommodations
  • Food
  • Health insurance
  • Medical costs
  • Contingency fund

The amounts for each of these items will depend on the amount of time you will be spending in the country. Although the exact amounts can be difficult to determine, do your best to provide the selection committee with as accurate an estimate as possible. Talk to your host organization, check guidebooks, and talk with friends or family familiar with the region to estimate possible costs you might encounter.

Note: Travel insurance must be purchased for all travel including for airline tickets.

It is in the applicant's best interest to write a detailed budget and present it in a clear and accessible manner. See following file for a budget template: budgettemplateforawardapplication.xls

Budgeting is important while planning your internship, and we try to offer as much guidance as possible regarding expenses. We can not provide exact award amounts beforehand. The final amount will depend on your application and on the budget. For example, factors such as residing at home vs. finding your own accommodations, or whether the internship is paid or unpaid, will be taken into consideration when determining the amount of the award.

Recommendation Letter

Applicants must have one letter of recommendation as part of their award application. The letter must be submitted from a McGill professor (faculty member or lecturer). Letters should be no more than 350 words in length and describe the capacity in which your referee knows you (academic, character, work etc.).

When asking for a recommendation, you should be giving the individual writing the letter at least one month's notice (six weeks is best). Not only does this give them more opportunity to reflect prior to writing it, but it is also a matter of courtesy.

Make sure to provide your referee with a copy of your CV, a description of your host organization, and a copy of the cover letter you used to apply to the internship.

Lastly, it is a good idea to send them a reminder a week or so before the deadline. Please note that it is unacceptable for students to pressure professors to write a letter of recommendation at the last minute.

Letters of recommendation should be emailed directly to anne.turner [at] mcgill.ca (Anne Turner) from your referees and not included in your application package. All reference letters must be received by the deadline date. They may be sent anytime prior to this deadline as well.

Responsibilities of Recipients

The responsibilities of internship awards recipients are outlined in the Faculty of Arts Interns Handbook, available for download here (For Students - General Resources - Handbook). Please read the Handbook before applying for awards.

Before the internship:​ Award applicants are expected to prepare extensively for their internship in order to ensure their success. This includes mandatory attendance to a number of preparation sessions.

After the internship: Award recipients are expected to give back to the McGill community by sharing their internship experience with Faculty, staff, award donors, and students. You will be asked to participate in presentations, contribute to Faculty of Arts publications, act as a resource to future interns, and provide feedback on your overall internship experience.

Award Payment

Award funds are issued in two disbursements in mid-June and mid-July. Students must be able to cover costs prior to award payment. 

Please note for students travelling for their internships: Awards are conditional on submission of Pre-Departure Orientation certificate and completion of the McGill Student Travel Registry (prior to departure).

Direct Deposit Instructions

All awards are paid through direct deposit to your Canadian bank account. All award recipients must have a bank account in Canada. In order for the award to be deposited, you must update your information on Minerva: bank information, your Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN), and a valid permanent address.

Note: For international students who do not have a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN), only complete steps 1 and 2. All Canadian students must have a Social Insurance Number.

Please follow the steps below as soon as possible. Failure to do so will result in your award processing being delayed.

  • Step 1 - Access the Banking Information form on Minerva under:
    • Student Menu >> Student Accounts Menu >> Direct Deposit Bank Account and enter the information under Student-related and Payroll-related bank account information.
  • Step 2 - Update Contact Information
    • Access the Addresses and Phones form on Minerva: Personal Menu > > Addresses and Phones
  • Step 3 – for Canadian students: Access the Social Insurance Number form on Minerva under:
    • Student Menu >> Student Accounts Menu >> Student Tax Menu >> Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Travel Warnings

Travel insurance must be purchased for all travel including for airline tickets.

The University will not approve student travel to all countries or regions of countries, as the safety of students is of primary importance. In planning a University-related international travel activity, staff members and students are to consider the nature of the activity, the associated risks and the location, specifically consulting travel warnings and reports issued by the Government of Global Affairs Canada (GAC). A travel warning is official advice concerning travel to a country or specific regions of a country, based on an overall assessment of the security risk and expressed in terms of the following four levels:

  1. Exercise normal security precautions
  2. Exercise high degree of caution
  3. Avoid non-essential travel
  4. Avoid all travel

University-related activity will not be approved in locations for which GAC has issued a level 3 or 4 warning. University-related courses, conferences and other activities undertaken in these locations will not receive McGill credit or recognition.

FAQ

What are the Faculty of Arts Internship Awards?

Students with confirmed summer internships have the opportunity to apply for Faculty of Arts Internship Awards. These are designed to provide partial funding to interns to offset internship-related costs such as travel, accommodations, visas, and other expenses. 


Who funds the internship awards?

The Faculty of Arts Internship Awards are generously funded by alumni and friends of the McGill University Faculty of Arts. See more information about the donors here.


Am I eligible to apply if I found my internship on my own, independently of the Arts Internship Office?

Yes. Students who have found their internship by means outside of the Arts Internship Office can apply for internship awards as long as they meet the other eligibility requirements.


When should I begin preparing my award application?

As soon as possible after you have secured your internship. Please note that when asking for a recommendation, you should be giving the professor writing the letter at least one month's notice (six weeks is best). 


If I am selected for an AIO Posting Internship, do I have to send an Award application as well?

No. AIO postings are automatically funded (see the award amount on the PDF posting) you do not need to submit an Award application.


Can award application materials be submitted in French?

Yes. All award materials, including recommendation letters, may be submitted in French.


The Arts Internship Awards have different names. Do I have to submit separate applications?

No. There is a single application form for all the awards.


When do I expect to hear back the result from the Arts Internship Office?

The Arts Internship Awards selection committee will review all applications after the application deadline. Applicants will be informed once the decision is made.


If I receive an award, how and when will I receive the money? Is this award considered to be taxable income?

Award recipients will receive the award funds by direct deposit to a Canadian bank account. Award funds are issued in two disbursements in mid-June and mid-July. Interns must be prepared to cover their costs before receiving their award money.

Travel insurance must be purchased for all travel including for airline tickets.

The amount received will be recorded on a T4A/Releve 1 and will be treated as scholarship income by the Federal and Quebec governments. For more information regarding taxes click here.

McGill International Experience Awards

The MIEA logo and a world map

The McGill International Experience Awards (MIEA) were established in 2013 through a donation by Joseph Schull and Anna Yang. The MIEA include the Schull Yang International Experience Award and other awards supported by other donors and matched by Joseph Schull and Anna Yang.

The MIEA provides students with the opportunity to participate in academic activities including internships, and supports the Arts Internship Office through the following awards for summer 2024: the Susan Casey Brown Fund for McGill, the Davies Family Arts International Internship Award, the Brenda and Morrison Hurley Arts Internship Award, the Chris Tyler Marckmann International Social Work Summer Internship Awards, and the John Wasileski Externship Awards, McGill International Experience Awards.

 

Selection Criteria and Eligibility

The McGill International Experience Awardees are selected based on a range of criteria that demonstrate academic excellence, community involvement, and potential to become global leaders in their field.

  • Academic achievement: Students should demonstrate a level of commitment to the completion of their studies and a high standard of academic achievement in their chosen field. This criteria may be evaluated through letters of recommendation, academic transcript, and any honourable publications or past awards.
  • Commitment to giving back: Students should show current involvement with the McGill community through extra-curricular activities, or in professional settings related to their field of study, and demonstrate how their international experience will impact their community and field of study. This criteria may be evaluated through the curriculum vitae and statement of purpose.
  • Professional development: Students should demonstrate the relevance of the international activity to their professional development, or an interest in pushing the scope of their academic discipline into a professional context. This criteria may be evaluated through a description of the international activity.

Eligibility criteria:

  • The activity must take place outside of Canada.
  • The student must be a registered full-time student in the Faculty of Arts at the time of application.
  • The student must be returning to the Faculty of Arts following the international activity.

Enriched Educational Opportunities: Need-based Bursary

Learn more about how the EEO Bursary program can help undergraduate students with the additional costs associated with internship opportunities.

Please note: All steps should be completed well in advance of the start of your internship. No approval will be granted after you have started your internship.

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