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What is SIGP?

Overview

The Summer Internship Grant Program was established to support current Â鶹´«Ã½ undergraduate students with a demonstrated financial need who are participating in unpaid internships.  SIGP is a funding source for undergraduates who have accepted (or who are planning on securing) an unpaid internship or summer experience in an industry that traditionally does not pay their interns. SIGP is also a career development program and provides resources and learning opportunities as students engage in the summer experiences.

Since 2007, the Summer Internship Grant Program has made it possible for undergraduate students to pursue unpaid internships. In 2024, 382 Â鶹´«Ã½ students received grants of $3500 to participate in unpaid summer experiences.

Career Development Program

In addition to receiving a grant for living and travel expenses accrued during the summer of an unpaid experience, students will participate in career development activities including: networking, resume & LinkedIn development, informational interviews,  and donor appreciation.

Who is Eligible for SIGP?

Current Â鶹´«Ã½ full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students will/will be:

• Enrolled for at least fall quarter of the following academic year in one of the following schools/colleges: Bienen, McCormick, Medill, NU-Q, School of Communication, SESP or Weinberg. SIGP is not open to graduate students or students in the School of Professional Studies.
• Demonstrate financial need. If you do not receive financial aid from Â鶹´«Ã½, or receive a minimal amount of financial aid, you will be asked to explain your financial need in a supplemental essay in the application.
• Pursuing an unpaid or low-paid internship in a traditionally unpaid field or role. Low-paid is defined as less than $1500 for the summer. Priority is given to applicants with financial need pursuing unpaid internships.
• Pursuing an internship that meets the required 280 hours of work between June-September and has a designated supervisor. Required hours must be completed no later than Friday, September 5, 2025.
• Receiving 0.25 or less credit. SIGP CANNOT be combined with programs within Â鶹´«Ã½ that offer credit including but not limited to GESI, Chicago Field Studies, Engage Chicago.  SIGP funding CANNOT be used for academic programs or coursework including but not limited to study abroad or certificate programs.
• Not receiving any money from the employer or other summer grants/awards from Â鶹´«Ã½.

If awarded, SIGP CANNOT be combined with any other summer grants on campus. Students must choose between SIGP or another grant. Including but not limited to the following ,, ,,, .

New for 2025: SIGP+

SIGP recipients may be eligible for an additional $1500 award for a total of $5000. If your summer expenses will exceed $3500 and you’re living away from home, you may be eligible for an additional grant which will add $1500 to your stipend, for a total award amount of $5000.

In addition to summer expenses exceeding $3500 and living away from home, preferred qualifications include:

• Living away from Evanston/Chicago
• Paying rent (rent must be related to housing required for internship/summer experience)
• Working in-person or hybrid (vs fully remote)
• Working in an unpaid internship (vs low-paid)
• SIGP is the primary summer experience
• Financial need

To be considered for SIGP+, students must first apply for and receive SIGP. When you confirm your internship/summer experience, you will have an opportunity to apply for the additional $1500. SIGP+ stipends will be paid in two installments, $3500 at the end of June and $1500 at the end of July. NU-Q students are not eligible for SIGP+.

Contact Information

Questions? Please contact sigp@northwestern.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions