[ILR] Summer Funding

Eligibility

  • ILR undergraduate students (first-years, sophomores, juniors—which includes those graduating in December) who have secured unpaid or minimally paid summer internships are eligible to apply for funding.
    • Allowable expenses must be internship-related and include (but are not limited to): housing, transportation for work, food, and cost of clothing).
    • Funding cannot be used for the student contribution, family support, entertainment, or for fall semester needs. 
    • You must have a secured internship offer in order to be eligible for any of the funding sources.
    • Ineligible programs/experiences include ANY ILR-sponsored programs such as (but not limited to):
      • ILR Summer High Road Fellowships (New York or Buffalo),
      • ILR Vietnam Engaged Learning Program in Winter,
      • ILR India Engaged-Learning Program at SVYM in Mysore,
      • ILR Zambia Global Service Learning Program at SAIPAR or any fee-based
      • Or experiences that are for academic credit or fee-based. 
      • Learn about eligibility criteria and application details. 
  • Candidates for the MS ILR – Labor Research and Policy degree program are not eligible for funding through these sources. Please check with your program coordinators for funding assistance. 
  • MILR candidates may apply for limited funding, specifically for internships in conflict resolution or labor relations, including public sector labor relations. Please click here for more information. 

Application Details

  • Complete one application, and you will be considered for all funds that apply to you (refer to the list below). Please note the application portal is managed through Cornell Career Services and is used for several university funding sources, as well as for all ILR-specific grants. All ILR student applications are forwarded to ILR Office of Career Services (OCS) staff for review.
  • There is a rolling application deadline.  This means that throughout the cycle, the committee will review those applications received by that deadline. Some ILR alumni-funded awards will be accepted as on a rolling basis beyond the May 1 deadline.  Around May 1, we will share information on the types of funding that remain and how to apply. 
  • Check back HERE for Summer Funding application  
  • February 1: Application Opens  
  • March 1: Application Deadline #1 (11:59pm)
  • April 1: Application Deadline #2 (11:59pm)
  • May 1: SEG Application Final Deadline (11:59pm) 

University Funding Awards

All applicants are considered for several university funding sources, including the Student Assembly Summer Experience Grant (SASEG). 

ILR Funding Awards

All eligible ILR student applications (see Eligibility list above) are considered for the ILR awards listed below. You do not need to specify these awards in your application or apply separately to them. 

Labor movement & worker centers: Chaim and Ida Miller Award (ILR first-years, sophomores, juniors) 

This fund is open to eligible students who have secured an internship with a labor organization, are involved with organizing or labor education, and would not be able to accept the internship without this aid. This fund was established by Marcia Miller and her brother, Gerry, in honor of their parents. Internships with government agencies, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) are NOT eligible. 

Local, State or Federal government: Clem Miller Scholarship (ILR first-years, sophomores and juniors; preference for juniors)

This scholarship supports undergraduate ILR students who have secured a summer position with elected officials at the local, state, or federal level. Established in honor of Clem Miller ILR’46, who served in the US House of Representatives.

Advocacy roles with domestic or international nonprofits: Vicki Saporta Social Justice Internship Fund (all Cornell undergrads)  

This fund is open to eligible students working in nonprofit organizations, domestic or international, that pursue progressive agendas, including, but not limited to, women’s rights, women’s reproductive health and rights, human rights, workers’ rights, organized labor, immigrants’ rights, environmental conservation, gun control, animal welfare, and labor unions. The intern role itself should involve active engagement in the organization’s focus. The fund was established by Vicki Saporta BSILR ’74. 

Opportunities outside of the traditional HR and LR fields: The Price Family ILR Student Experience Fund (ILR first-years, sophomores, and juniors)  

This fund is open to eligible students interested in pursuing opportunities outside of the traditional human resources and labor relations fields. The fund was established by David M. Price BSILR ’87. 

Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) and Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER): Melvin H. Osterman Internship Award (ILR first-years, sophomores, juniors) 

This fund is open to eligible students interested in public sector labor relations. The award is for a student who: 

  1. is selected for a summer internship with a Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) and/or a Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER) 
  1. will research issues of labor relations, labor law, and collective bargaining under PERB and/or GOER staff 
  1. will observe mediation sessions and hearings regarding labor arbitrations and employment practices 
  1. has completed courses in labor and employment law or collective bargaining (preferably both)  

Internships with government agencies, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) are NOT eligible. This fund was established by Mr. Osterman’s widow, Norma Grace Meacham BSILR ’74, JD ’77, and his colleague, Rosemary Townley.  

First Generation student in any career field: Karl Groskaufmanis ‘84 & Janice Ziegler’84 ILR Funding for Summer Internships (ILR first-years, sophomores, and juniors) 

This fund is open to first-generation students working in any career field. The fund was established by Karl Groskaufmanis BSILR ’84 and Janice Ziegler BSILR ’84. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at ilrcareers@cornell.edu.