The Application Deadline for fall 2025 Has Passed. Spring 2026 Applications will open in December.

The Violet Internship & Research Award (formerly the Wasserman Center Internship Grant) provides financial support to students pursuing unpaid/low-paying and non-credit structured experiential learning opportunities such as internships and research assistantships. These opportunities are designed to provide active learning experiences through hands-on skill development, purposeful supervision, intentional reflection, and exposure to practical work or research relevant to a student’s professional journey. The Wasserman Center offers $1,200 awards during the fall and spring semesters and $2,000 awards during the summer. Students who are studying away for the semester should apply to the Violet Internship Study Away Award.

We understand that Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools are increasingly used by applicants and employers. Use of AI will not automatically disqualify candidates. However, if used poorly, AI can also hamper one’s ability to develop crucial communication skills and can lead to unintended problems like plagiarism. Additionally, the short-answer questions ask you to reflect on your experience, and low-effort, generic responses won’t help you stand out or make you a memorable candidate. Consider reviewing this document to ensure you’re ethically utilizing AI tools.

Please keep in mind that the selection process is competitive and awards are not guaranteed. When reviewing applications, the selection committee considers the quality of student responses in demonstrating the opportunity for skill development, professional and/or personal growth, and supervision and reflection, in addition to financial need.

FAQs

Please make sure to review our FAQs for answers to common questions!

Eligibility & Requirements

You must be a currently enrolled student in a degree-granting undergraduate or graduate program at a qualifying NYU school.

  • Students receiving their degree at NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU Shanghai, and schools not listed at the link above are not eligible.
  • Fall/spring: Students must be enrolled in classes or have maintenance of matriculation to apply.
  • Summer: Students must be continuously enrolled from spring to fall. Students who graduated in May and begin a new program in September are not eligible.

  • Undergraduate students: Minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA
  • Graduate students: Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • If it is your first semester at NYU, you must submit a transcript from your last educational institution as well as your NYU transcript in order to verify your GPA.
  • Keep in mind that NYU does not round up GPAs.

Positions must be in the following industries:

Students can only apply with non-credit internship or research positions. Volunteer and for-credit internships are not eligible.

  • You must be currently participating in a non-credit internship or research position or in the final round of interviews for a specific role.
  • Fall/spring: Positions must be a minimum of 10 weeks and at least 100 cumulative hours.
  • Summer: Positions must be a minimum of 8 weeks and at least 160 cumulative hours.

Application Specifics

  • Find the application on Handshake.
  • Make a copy of the Budget Spreadsheet and Short Answer Questions and fill in the requested information. Save as a PDF. Note: You must be logged into your NYU email in order to access the document.
  • Click Apply Externally in the Handshake job posting.
  • Respond to all survey questions.
  • Upload PDF versions of your current resume, unofficial transcript, budget spreadsheet and short answer questions.
  • Only complete submissions will be considered for the award. Late submissions will not be accepted.

  • It can take up to 4-6 weeks for us to review all applications, and all students will be informed of decisions.
  • Regrettably, we cannot provide feedback on unsuccessful applications. All decisions of the selection committee are final.
  • Incomplete applications or applicants who do not meet eligibility guidelines will not be considered.
  • If you apply and are selected for an award, you cannot change internships and still retain your award. Award decisions are based on funding students for specific opportunities and cannot be transferred to new positions.
  • Students who do not successfully complete their internships may forfeit their award.

Students attending NYU in F-1 or J-1 status are eligible to apply as long as they fulfill all other requirements for the award and for maintaining their immigration status. OGS recommends but does not require OPT/CPT for unpaid activity if it meets the US Department of Labor guidelines for unpaid internships. Please contact OGS to learn more about authorization for unpaid internships and volunteer work.