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GRANTS

Wily Initiatives Fund Internship Grant

The purpose of the Wily Initiatives Fund Internship Grant is to provide recognition & financial assistance to undergraduates who choose to gain exposure and work experience in an early-stage, technology-focused startup company during an off-term away from campus.

Qualifications

Applicant eligibility:

  • Currently enrolled Dartmouth undergraduate at the time of application

  • Have an offer to work during a summer off-term and plan to continue studies in the following term

  • In good academic standing

  • No honor code violations

Internship & Startup criteria:

  • Early-stage, tech-focused startup

  • Under 3 years of existence

  • Under $250K in revenue

  • Not more than $500k in dilutive funding

  • The internship is in-person or hybrid, full-time for 8-10 weeks in the U.S.

  • The internship does not need to be a technical role, but the startup itself should be focused on building and growing a new technical solution. Internships at consulting, investment and other professional services firms do not qualify for this grant.

Note: Preference is given to Dartmouth-related startups. In addition to Handshake, check the new DEN Job Board for potential startup internship opportunities.

Questions? Contact Roy Schmidt

Dates

  • For Summer 2026 internships: 4 grantees will be selected to receive $10,000 each.

  • Applications closed on April 19. Good luck!

  • We are working with the Center of Career Design to streamline the application process. Those not selected for the Wily Initiatives Fund will be referred to the Center for Career Design for eligibility review and consideration for funding up to $6,500 without having to complete another application.

Prepare to Apply

  • A prerequisite to funding is an internship planning meeting with a Center for Career Design coach in the current or prior term: schedule a meeting with a coach. You can also meet this requirement by completing this funding workshop pathway and subsequent quiz.

  • Prepare your budget and proposal. You will be asked to upload this.

  • Your application and your written proposal must be your own work and conform to Dartmouth College’s Academic Honor Principle.

  • Have your internship job description ready. You will be asked to cut & paste this into the application.

  • Have the name and email of your Hiring Manager and Supervisor ready. This may or may not be the same person. Your Hiring Manager will receive an email from Dartmouth Center for Career Design asking them to verify your internship details. Your Supervisor will receive an email at the mid-point and end of your internship asking for their feedback.

Important Notes and Expectations

  • All recipients must provide any necessary information or documentation within one month of award notification or any and all monies awarded will be forfeited. If receiving an award, checks must be deposited within 90 days to avoid loss of funds. Checks will not be reissued.

  • International students in F-1 or J-1 status are limited in terms of the types of employment activities they may engage in while a student at Dartmouth. International students who wish to participate should consult with their OVIS advisor before accepting any offer of employment, including a paid or unpaid internship, to determine whether the proposed activity is permissible under the F-1 or J-1 rules.

  • All taxes are the responsibility of the award recipient.

  • Grant recipients will be required to attend a midpoint virtual checkin meeting and submit a post-internship writeup about the impact the internship experience has on their academic career and future career aspirations.

  • Employers: Please note that an unpaid internship is not just free labor! These grants are for internships that provide an educational experience in an early-stage tech startup environment.