The School of Journalism and Mass Communication provides students with a variety of summer internship scholarships to help offset the costs of unpaid internships and/or low paying internships in high-cost cities. The following are the scholarships and subsequent criteria that have been generously provided through donations of UW-Madison alumni, friends, and supporters.
- Ben and Karen Deutsch Internship Fund: For any undergraduate SJMC student who meets the criteria below.
- School of Journalism and Mass Communication Board of Visitors: For any undergraduate or graduate student who meets the criteria below.
- Patricia Simms Journalism Scholarship Fund: Preference will be given to any student interning with the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism – scholarship is $500.
- Everyone Has a Story Fund: For any undergraduate student in the Reporting Track. Preference will be given to support voices of those from underrepresented groups or populations.
- Kelleher Internship Fund: Preference will be given to students who graduated from a Wisconsin high school.
- Eklund Fund: For any undergraduate or graduate student who meets the criteria below.
Application deadline
Friday, April 4, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
Award announcement:
The selection committee will interview finalists before making a final decision. Applicants will be notified by the end of April.
Eligibility
- Be enrolled in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a graduation date on or after December 2025.
- Be on campus and enrolled in school during the Fall 2025 semester.
- Have applied for, secured, OR been accepted for a summer internship. The internship must last a minimum of six weeks and involve a minimum of 120 hours of work, with a minimum of 20 hours/week.
- Show proof of internship(s) – if you applied for more than one; this may include a copy of the completed application, time period and hours of internship, a complete description of job duties and responsibilities, and include the amount of pay or stipend being provided. If already accepted into the internship, a letter from the supervisor confirming acceptance. If you are still in the process, you can upload a copy of email communications.
Criteria
Awards will be based on the following considerations:
- How this internship will benefit you in regard to your personal and professional goals.
- How this scholarship assistance will enable you (be specific) to participate in this internship opportunity.
- Your motivation and passion for the internship and why you specifically want this opportunity.
- The breakdown of anticipated expenses during the summer of your internship.
- Preference will be given to students who may not have had any internship experiences to date related to their personal/professional goals and/or have a financial need.
Please note: Internships at a partisan political organization and/or for a legislator cannot be considered.
Application Deadline
Friday, April 4, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
How to Apply
Application is available online through Scholarships@UW-Madison here.
Before you begin, be sure that you have created a PDF file that contains the following:
- Resume – Include all internships and experiences.
- Internship Description(s) – If you have more than one potential internship that you have applied to, please list all of them.
- Start/End Dates of Internship – Number of hours/week of internship; payment or stipend; whether you are required to receive credit.
- Proof of Internship Acceptance
- The Name and Email Address of the person recommending you for this scholarship.
Meet with our Advisor
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication offers one-on-one career advising to its students. Schedule an appointment with our career and internship specialist, Darby Winchel, to help you prepare to apply for our summer internship scholarships.