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PW 2026: Purposeful Work Internship Funding Request Application 2026 (Deadline: March1)

Bates Center for Purposeful Work
Email

PW 2026: Competitive Funding Program Details

 The Purposeful Work approach to summer internships gives students the tools they need to deepen what they learn through their internship, as well as the chance to apply for a summer stipend for any unpaid or low-paying internship. Through the program, students benefit from goal setting and reflection activities designed to help maximize their experiences, strengthen their resumes, and build connections.

 

There is a rubric at the end of the posting that outlines how applications will be assessed.

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Workplace Evolution

We recognize that organizations are hosting in-person, virtual and hybrid internship options for summer 2026. Since the climate of the workplace is constantly evolving, please fill out the application accordingly. 

As you are applying, eligibility and funding will be contingent on you filling out your short answers and your site supervisor filling out the employer verification form which acknowledges their awareness of and compliance with mentorship availability and workplace protocols. 

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Funding Amounts

Internship funding awards will range from $2500 to $5000 to support part-time and full-time internships ranging from 250 to 300 hours and a variety of other variables. 

  • Bates sophomores (2028), juniors (2027) who have received an offer for an unpaid or low-paying internship will be eligible to apply for funds. Priority will be given to need-based applicants.

In order to support as many students as possible, partial awards may occur.

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2026 Program Details:

  • The 2026 Purposeful Work Internship Program will support in-person, virtual and hybrid opportunities.

The deadlines are March 1, April 1, and May 1.

  • A funding selection committee composed of Bates staff will review all application materials and select award recipients. This committee is the final arbiter of the funding allocations.
  • While students who have been awarded funding through this process in a previous summer may apply, priority will be given to students who have not received funding through this process from the Purposeful Work Internship Program in the past. Refer to the rubric below to better understand the metrics used to award stipends. 
  • Students will be awarded and prioritized funding based on their financial need and number of hours confirmed for the internship.
  • Prior to participation, students are required to:
  • Sign all PW paperwork electronically.
  • Attend a virtual internship orientation.

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2026 Program Requirements:

During summer 2026 students will be required to:

  • Actively participate in weekly online reflection activities.
  • Complete three brief online surveys (pre-, mid-, and post-internship).
  • Prepare a presentation due within one month following the end of the internship. The format will be decided upon in consultation with PW staff.
  • Write an  impact letter to the donor who made their funding award possible.

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Competitive Funding Application Details

Please read the following instructions carefully and complete your funding application as indicated. To be considered for Purposeful Work Internship Funding you must  Complete the three eligibility requirements at least one full business day before the application deadline. 

 

To be eligible and apply for Purposeful Work 2026 Internship Competitive Funding: 

  • You must submit all materials by the Funding Application deadlines (March 1, April 1, and May 1). 
  • Only complete applications received by the deadline will be considered. 

1. You must have an offer for an internship and your employer must send in the form below.

  • Your hiring employer will confirm your internship by completing your Employer Verification Form. Please send this link to your hiring employer. A response from your employer must be received before the Funding Application Deadline.

2. Have your resume approved by the Center for Purposeful Work before applying. You can find this label on your profile. You will upload it to this posting. 

  • Students are encouraged to use our drop-in hours to have their resume reviewed. For more information about these reviews, please visit the Center for Purposeful Work website. (It takes about 48 hours for the label 'resume reviewed 2025/26' to be applied to your profile. Please plan ahead!)
  • Upload your resume.

 

3.Fill out this form which includes your short answer and budget details. You will only be considered if all three sections are filled out.

 

In the form you'll see details like the ones below:

  • Include the following information at the top of your document and answer the first two prompts and budget. These must be answered for your application to be considered complete. Prompt 4 is optional. The committee will consider the thoroughness of your response and purposeful reflection : 
  • Your first and last name, class year, Bates email address
  • Anticipated start and end dates for your internship
  • Anticipated number of internship hours per week
  • Anticipated total number of internship hours
  • When did you get your internship offer?
  • How did you learn about this competitive funding program?

 

  • Prompt 1: Learning Goals: In your own words, please explain what you hope to gain from this summer internship. Be sure to comment on your intended learning goals (i.e., the specific skills, experiences, or exposure you hope to gain) as well as how this internship relates to your career and purposeful work exploration. (Limit of 1500 characters)
  • Prompt 2: Experience: Please describe how this experience will take place in an in-person, virtual, or hybrid setting. What are the tools you will need to be successful in this internship? If known, what training, resources, or programs might you need to complete your responsibilities? Please indicate how you plan to communicate with your site supervisor, receive feedback, and discuss your work. (Limit of 1500 characters) 
  • Your projected budget. (See sample budget outline here).



  • Prompt 4 (optional): Statement of Need: Provide a brief statement of your financial need. What makes it compelling? What is happening with your family dynamics? For example: is a parent/guardian retiring? Do you have a sibling in college? Is there a change in your financial aid need? Are there any additional concerns that you would like to share? While we obtain basic information from the Financial Aid Office, please include any special financial circumstances that you would like the Committee to consider.  *Please share a sample budget as mentioned above. (Limit of 2000 characters)

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Deadlines to apply:

March 1, April 1, May 1, 2026

  • First Round Complete: March 1 at 11:59 PM EST (students will be notified by March 14)
  • Second Round: April 1 at 11:59 PM EST (students will be notified by April 18)
  • Final Round: May 1 at 11:59 PM EST (students will be notified by May 16)

These deadlines are designed to accommodate the different times at which internships are secured. If you do not receive funding in one round, you are welcome to apply to the second round and your materials will be reviewed as a first-time submission. There is no rollover or waitlist. Staff at the Center for Purposeful Work will review unfunded applications prior to resubmission. 

 

NOTE: Applications submitted outside of Handshake (e.g., via email) after the 11:59 p.m. deadline will not be considered. Allow yourself plenty of time to complete the entire process, including the eligibility steps, well before the deadline.

 

NOTE: Funding is limited and we are working to fund as many students as possible. It’s important to ask yourself: Do you truly need this funding to complete this internship? What would happen if you didn’t get it? 

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Application evaluation rubric:

Because student requests exceed available funding, award decisions are based on the quality of the application, the student’s proposed learning goals, the strength of the internship opportunity and its connection to an individual’s exploration of purposeful work, and demonstrated financial need.

The selection committee will use the following rubric when considering individual applications:

(Scale of 0-3 with a score of 3 as the highest.) 

1. Quality of Application

  • Spelling/Grammar
  • Answered Questions Effectively
  • Complete Application

2. Quality of Experience

  • How does the experience contribute to exploration of purposeful work?

 3. Class Year

  • Junior 2
  • Sophomore 1

4. First Generation Student 

  • Identify as first generation student 1
  • Do not identify as first generation student 0

5. Financial Need (as determined by financial aid status)

  • High 3
  • Medium 2
  • Low 1
  • No Need 0

6. Statement of Need (as determined by statement in application) OPTIONAL

  • Extenuating Circumstances 2
  • Compelling Circumstances 1
  • No Additional Need 0

7. How Well This Experience Is Explained as Virtual/In-Person/Hybrid?

  • Student has presented a well-thought out plan and cited specific examples 2
  • Student has presented a plan without citing specific examples 1
  • Student has not presented a plan 0

8. Received PW Internship Funding Previously: -3

9. Received PW Internship Funding Previously and did not complete requirements: -2

 

If you have any issues or questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to purposefulwork@bates.edu.