What is SIGP?
Overview
The Summer Internship Grant Program was established to support current Northwestern 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 2025, 282 Northwestern 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 Northwestern full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students who 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 Northwestern, 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 4, 2026.
- Not enrolled/participating in a study abroad program through GLO or another academic study abroad program for the summer. Students cannot participate in SIGP in addition to their study abroad experience.
- Not enrolled in/completing more than one academic course over the summer. Students cannot participate in SIGP in addition to more than one summer course.
- Not receiving any money from the employer or other summer grants/awards from Northwestern. SIGP funding cannot be used in combination with other University support and/or funding sources (small University grants and employer stipends of less than $1500 are permitted).
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 Summer Undergraduate Research Grant (SURG), Weinberg College Summer Grant, SoC Internship Award Program, Political Science Grant
New for 2026: SIGP+
SIGP recipients may be eligible for an additional $1500 award for a total of $5000. If your summer expenses will exceed $3500, you’re living away from home and/or Evanston/Chicago, and you’re working in an in-person or hybrid unpaid internship, you may be eligible for an additional grant which will add $1500 to your stipend, for a total award amount of $5000. Priority will be given to students who/who are:
- Have summer expenses exceeding $3500
- Living away from home and away from Evanston/Chicago
- Paying rent (rent must be related to housing required for internship/summer experience)
- Working in-person or hybrid
- Working in an unpaid internship (vs low-paid)
- SIGP is their only summer experience
- Demonstrate a high financial need
To be considered for SIGP+, complete your SIGP application by the deadline. Students will not be selected for SIGP+ until after initial selections are made for SIGP and SIGP recipients confirm their unpaid internships/summer experiences. Students completing credit-based internship programs are not eligible for SIGP+. NU-Q students are not eligible for SIGP+. Students who receive an SoC Internship Award can still be considered for additional funding through SIGP+.
Contact Information
Questions? Please contact sigp@northwestern.edu.
Application & Timeline FAQs
What does a SIGP application entail?
The application includes questions and essays. Students will respond to questions about their career interests and summer experience. In addition, students will write and submit one essay and an optional supplemental essay. Find the essay questions and steps for how to apply on the SIGP website.
Is there someone I can talk to about my application materials before submitting?
Do I need to have a summer internship/experience secured before I apply?
No. At the time of application, students are not required to have a summer internship/experience secured. SIGP recipients who do not have an internship secured will be required to meet with NCA to develop an internship search strategy. Grant recipients must secure an internship and finalize their summer plans by May 20, 2026.
I missed an information session. Can I view the presentation now?
Upcoming information sessions (all virtual)
I applied to SIGP last year. Can I reapply?
Can I apply to SIGP if I am staying with family/friends during my summer experience?
Yes. Students are still eligible for SIGP even if they will be staying with family or friends during the summer. If selected for SIGP, recipients will be asked to provide a budget to indicate how the funding will be used this summer beyond housing. Students living at home will not be eligible for additional funding available through SIGP+.
When will I find out if I've been awarded a SIGP grant?
Students will be notified if they are selected by Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
The SIGP timeline for NU-Q students differs from the timeline on the Evanston campus.
How can I strengthen my SIGP application?
Applicants should be sure to clearly describe summer plans (or intended plans), identify specific learning goals for the summer, and draw connections between experiences. Consider academic coursework, leadership experiences, volunteer work, or professional experiences and how those connect to your summer plans and career interests. You want to tell a cohesive story. Find more tips on the SIGP website.
I am a student in School of Communication; can I still apply for an SoC Internship Award?
The SoC Internship Award Program has merged its application process with SIGP. Students with majors in the School of Communication who apply for SIGP will automatically be considered for both the SoC Internship Award Program and SIGP (both awards are $3500). Students selected for an SoC Internship Award will be removed from consideration for SIGP. Students selected for an SoC Internship can still be considered for additional funding through SIGP+.
The SoC Internship Award Program is funded by generous donors to support students who have secured unpaid or low-paid internships. For more details, visit: Funding Your Undergraduate Internship (EPICS).
I am a student in Medill; can I still apply for a Medill Internship Grant?
The Medill Internship Grant Program (MIGP) has merged its application process with SIGP. MIGP is funded by generous donors to support students who have secured unpaid or low-paid internships related to journalism and integrated marketing communications, with typical award amounts of around $1000. Medill students who apply for SIGP will be considered for SIGP first, to provide the best chance of receiving the highest possible award. Medill students who are not selected for SIGP will be automatically considered for MIGP. For more information or questions, contact medillcareers@northwestern.edu. Eligible Experiences FAQs
Can I use SIGP for summer academic research?
Academic research is not an eligible summer experience for SIGP. To qualify for SIGP, a student must be pursuing an unpaid internship or other practical, career-related experience. Students pursuing academic research should consider other summer funding options.
Can I travel internationally for my summer experience?
Can I receive academic credit for my unpaid internship?
Students completing credit-based internship programs with an unpaid or low-paid internship are eligible to apply for SIGP. If selected for SIGP and completing an eligible internship, students participating in credit-based internship programs would receive $3500 to support summer expenses. Credit-based internship programs include Chicago Field Studies, Engage Chicago, Journalism Residency, SESP Industry Practicum, and SoC EPICS Internship Seminar (CMN 340). Students participating in credit-based internship programs will not be eligible for additional funding through SIGP+.
My experience is paid. Can I still apply?
SIGP supports students pursuing unpaid internships. If your internship/experience is low-paid (defined as less than $1500 for the summer) and you’re not living at home for the summer, you are still eligible to apply. Priority is given to students with financial need pursuing unpaid internships. Students with low paid internships will not be eligible for additional funding through SIGP+.
Can I do more than one unpaid internship over the summer?
Yes. If recipients cannot meet the 280 hour requirement with a single summer experience, they can supplement with a second unpaid or low-paid eligible career-related experience to fulfill the 280 hour requirement for SIGP. Required hours must be completed no later than Friday, September 4, 2026.
Can I combine SIGP with other experiences over the summer?
If awarded SIGP, your unpaid internship/career experience will be your primary summer experience. Your SIGP experience CANNOT be paired with a paid internship or another full-time (paid) professional opportunity. Students CANNOT participate in SIGP in addition to a study abroad program. Students CANNOT participate in SIGP in addition to more than one academic summer course. Some SIGP recipients choose to work additional paid, part-time jobs to supplement their income over the summer. Additional opportunities are subject to review and approval.
Can I take classes over the summer while completing an unpaid internship or career experience with SIGP?
SIGP recipients will be able to take one academic course over the summer while participating in SIGP. SIGP funding cannot be used to cover the cost of tuition for any summer classes or other academic programs. If awarded SIGP, your unpaid internship/career experience will be your primary experience over the summer. We encourage students to consider their summer commitments before choosing to take a class. It can be difficult to manage schedules and fully commit to your internship experience while managing academic commitments.
Can I study abroad over the summer while completing an unpaid internship or career experience with SIGP?
No. Students will not be able to participate in SIGP in addition to a study abroad program or experience. Additionally, study abroad programs and experiences are not eligible for SIGP, including study abroad programs through GLO and other academic/course-based programs.