Public Service & The Arts Micro-Internship Program

Important Timelines for Fall 2026 Micro-Internships:

• Application window: August 24, 2026 through September 25, 2026 
• Interviews for selected candidates: Rolling applications  
• Hiring decisions: By October 13, 2026
• Micro-Internship experience window (30/40/65 hours): October 16, 2026 through December 22, 2026 
  (Fall Break is October 15-16, please work with your organization to establish a schedule that includes this information.)

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Available to currently enrolled UNC-Chapel Hill students from second year through first-semester seniors and graduate students 
• Currently enrolled in good standing with a minimum of 2.0 GPA at UNC-Chapel Hill 
• Student must receive an agreement from the organizations to benefit from the Public Service & the Arts Micro-Internship program 
• International students on visas must comply with International Student schoolers (ISS) guidelines for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Refer to your specific visa requirements, most do not allow for non-credit paid experiences).  
• It is up to the discretion of the UNC Career Center if a student can complete more than one micro-internship per semester. 

Students in their final semester at UNC-Chapel Hill are not eligible for post-graduation to post-graduation.  Non-degree-seeking students are not eligible for this opportunity. 

Award Amounts: A micro-internship award is based on the number of hours for each project (outlined in the job the description):  

• 30-hour projects: $450
• 40-hour projects: $600
• 65-hour projects: $980

How to Apply:

UNC-Chapel Hill Students can apply for the Public Service & the Arts Micro-Internship program through Handshake. 

1. Login to Handshake 
2. Click on the “Jobs” link 
3. In the keyword search, enter Micro-Internship UNC-CH

Requirements for Student Participation: 

UNC-Chapel Hill students who receive the Public Service & the Arts Micro-Internship will be required to fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete the Pre-Micro-Internship self-evaluation form in Handshake once the offer is received 
• Complete the Post-Micro-Internship self-evaluation form in Handshake  
• Provide a written and digital (photo or video) testimonial of micro-internship experience 
• Recipients must complete the number of hours indicated in the agreement form. Failure to do so will result in the repayment of money received 
• Participate in a student panel to share lessons learned and benefits of the experiential education 
• Recipients must write a thank you letter to the fund donors upon the conclusion of the experience (to be forwarded to the donor) 

All expectations above are required and are the conditions of the funding. Failure to comply with expectations will result in repayment of the funds. Public Service & the Arts Micro-Interns are required to immediately notify the UNC Career Center of any changes in their summer experience plans

APPLICATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FALL 2026 MICRO-INTERNSHIP PROGRAM ARE NOW OPEN.

Nonprofit organizations can apply to be part of the upcoming cohort of Public Service & the Arts Micro-Interns program through the link below.  The organizations participating in the Public Service & the Arts Micro-Internship will receive funds to hire a Micro-Intern for a total of 30/40/65 hours for the upcoming cycle. The hiring dates and hours per week are flexible as long as they occur in the time frame provided. Work with your student to set up a schedule that works for you both.

Please complete a program application to be considered for an internship award. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the program is full.  

•  Fall employer application window: July 27, 2026 through August 10, 2026
•  Summer employer application window: December 15, 2026 through February 13, 2027 

Organization Eligibility Requirements  

• Must be registered for an employer account in Handshake  
• Experience provided must be a total of 30/40/65 hours (you will work with your student intern to establish a weekly schedule, e.g. 10 hour/week for 3 weeks)   
• Supervision must be provided by a professional in the organization 
• A student evaluation must be completed at the end of the internship  
• Internships may be in-person, hybrid, or remote
• Funding provided is assigned in totality to the student(s) hired and will go directly to them  

Organization Expectations for Participation  

• Compliance with our program expectations in the employer guide on how to host a Micro-Internship  
• Posting opportunity in Handshake according to the timeline
• Organizations are responsible for selecting and hiring their student intern 
• Complying with the requirements and hiring timelines of the Public Service & the Arts Micro-Internship. 
• Fill out evaluation of students experience upon completion of the micro-internship 

Important Employer Timelines for Fall 2026 Micro-Internships: 

• Employer application deadline: August 10, 2026 
• Once your application is accepted, you may post your positions on Handshake during the following window:
  • August 24, 2026 through September 25, 2026 
• Interviews for selected candidates: Rolling applications  
• Make hiring decisions and make student offers: By October 13, 2026 
• The Micro-Internship experience should take place between October 19, 2026, and December 22, 2026. 
  (Fall Break is October 15-16, please work with your students to establish a schedule that includes this information.)