Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as they secure a qualified internship offer.
Overview
The Yeutter Student Scholar Award supports a professional development opportunity for students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to gain valuable, hands-on experience and build a professional network through a summer internship in a trade-related organization. Often, these internships are unpaid or modestly-paid; this award aims to expand access to these critical career exploration and development opportunities by providing students with a monetary award to support the experience. By interning in the field, students will build knowledge of key and complex aspects of the international trade system, such as formulation of trade rules; financing, regulatory, and enforcement mechanisms; negotiation and accession processes; and dispute resolution tools.
Students who have received a trade-related internship offer are encouraged to apply.
Award
A minimum of one award will be granted each academic year to a student to support round-trip airfare, rent, meals, local transportation, and living expenses, for an international or domestic trade internship.
The award supports internships at major trade-related organizations, including but not limited to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of State, the World Bank, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Award amounts will vary based on strength of application, any compensation the student will receive from the employing organization, and a student’s requested level of support. Students will be asked to submit a budget with their application and a specific ask for level of support, based on their anticipated expenses for the summer and any other incoming support, including wages paid by the employing organization.
Eligibility
- Must be a University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduate, sophomore or above (enrolled in at least their third semester at the university and have earned at least sophomore standing in credit hours at the time of application)
- Must have at least one semester of study left following the summer internship
- Must hold a minimum grade point average of 3.5
- Must be able to demonstrate a clear interest in international trade through relevant coursework and/or prior experiences
- Internship must be related to international trade and take place in-person for a minimum of 8 weeks (usually mid-May through July or August, though fall and spring semester internships will also be considered for support). Remote internships will not be considered for the award.
Application and Selection Procedure
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling, ongoing basis. Students will be evaluated based on the overall strength of their written application and may be invited to interview. Applications will be reviewed in a timely manner. Students can expect notification of an award 1-3 weeks following their application date.
To Apply
Applications must be submitted via e-mail to yeutterinstitute@unl.edu with the subject "Yeutter Student Scholar Award." A complete application consists of the following:
- Applicant's resume
- Academic standing: Applicants must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5. Applicants must submit an unofficial transcript to allow the selection committee to verify academic standing.
- Statement of purpose: Applicants should address each of the points below in their statement of purpose. The statement should not exceed 2 pages, single-spaced.
- Describe our professional development. What motivates you and what are your professional aspirations, both medium- and long-term? What skills will you need for what kind of work?
- Describe the internship offer you have received. How does this align with your career goals, what do you expect to gain from it, and how does it connect with international trade?
- Faculty/instructor reference: List an instructor at the university as a reference in your application materials. Include their title, department, email, and one sentence explaining how you know this person (classes you have taken with them, RSO involvement, etc.).
- Budget and support request: Applicants should prepare a clear budget for the internship, including incoming wages or scholarships supporting the internship and anticipated expenses. Expenses might include round-trip airfare, rent, meals, commuting costs, and living expenses.
- Copy of internship offer: Applicants should attach a copy of their internship offer, and details for the hiring contact, to the application. A copy of an email offering the internship placement is sufficient.
Professional development
Upon completion of the internship, the recipient is responsible for delivering the following to the Yeutter Institute:
- Immediately upon return, the intern will fill out a brief internship evaluation survey.
- The recipient will also submit one written deliverable to be determined in coordination with the Yeutter Institute director. There are two options:
- A report, report, approximately three pages in length, describing: 1) the policy topic(s) learned; 2) a description of their role in the organization and skills used during the internship; and 3) a summary of the key takeaways and professional benefits received from participating in the internship.
- Alternatively, the recipient may choose to draft a policy brief, approximately three pages in length, assessing a trade policy issue the recipient learned about while completing the internship. The Yeutter Institute director will consider publishing the brief under the institute’s Trade Policy Conversation Starter briefing paper series. Each paper considers a current trade policy question and offers background and analysis intended to spur further discussion, inquiry, and research. The brief must follow the Yeutter Institute’s template.
Questions? Email yeutterinstitute@unl.edu.
Interested in supporting this award fund? Learn more about its creation and visit https://yeutter-institute.unl.edu/donate.