Cornell Fellows

• Please note that Fellows funding will not cover the cost of summer academic credit ($400 per credit). Please work with your academic advisor and faculty sponsor to determine the appropriate amount of credit for your fellowship
• Preference is given to students who have at least sophomore standing at the time of application.
• Students selected must be enrolled at the College for the duration of the fellowship and at least one block following the completion of the fellowship in order to present at a Cornell Fellows Showcase.
• Fellowships must be done for academic credit.
• Fellowships are 8 weeks/2 blocks in duration and take place during the summer or academic year. 
• Students completing fellowships during their senior year must be enrolled in at least one course on campus following the conclusion of the fellowship.
• Students are limited to one fellowship during their Cornell experience.

In order to succeed as a Cornell Fellow, you should keep in mind the following expectations for yourself:

• It is your responsibility to obtain and communicate with your faculty sponsor.
• Meet with your site mentor to understand expectations for work hours, professional conduct, project work, learning objectives, and to create an assessment plan for the fellowship.
• Report for the fellowship position on time and fulfill all work responsibilities and/or learning and assessment plan requirements.
• Communicate routinely with your direct supervisor and/or site mentor and faculty sponsor to track progress on the learning and assessment plan.
• Plan and execute a substantive project, make an oral presentation (on-site or as part of the Fellows Showcase) about the project, and write a complete report.
• Submit weekly blog entries providing updates on the fellowship experience.
• Document the experience through digital photographs that can be used for the Cornell Fellows website and program marketing.
• Prepare a written summary of the fellowship experience reflecting on what was accomplished and how the fellowship influenced your academic and professional goals.
• Cornell Fellows funding is awarded to offset expenses for housing, transportation, food, and training supplies. Funding is not available for costs associated with academic credit.

• Secure a faculty sponsor and recommendation. Faculty sponsors must agree to award credit for your internship and complete the Cornell Fellows Faculty Recommendation Form to accompany your application. The faculty sponsor is also responsible for providing guidance and support to the Cornell Fellow during the fellowship. Dimensions Fellows (Mayo Clinic, Children's Hospital) ONLY: Your faculty sponsor does not need to complete the recommendation form above unless you are selected for the fellowship experience. You should, however, notify your faculty sponsor that Dimensions (Mark Kendall or Jai Shanata) may reach out to her/him for comment on your aptitude and suitability for the fellowship. 
• Update your resume with the Berry Career Institute. A resume outlining your academic, co-curricular, work, volunteer, and leadership experiences is necessary to help the Fellows Committee review your credentials for the fellowship. Make an appointment. 
• Write your proposal. The proposal should provide background on the site, your qualifications, and how it relates to your career goals. Required length is 600-900 words. Your proposal must be reviewed by a staff member in the Writing Studio or Berry Career Institute (Dimensions Fellows only: your statement must be reviewed by the Writing Studio) and must include the following elements:
  • An overview of the organization and how you found out about it.
  • Why the fellowship interests you and the projects you might be working on.
  • Skills and experience you have that will allow you to contribute to the organization. Be specific. 
  • What you hope to gain from the experience and how it helps you work towards your academic and career goals.
• Create a budget estimate. Use our budget form to estimate food, transportation, and housing expenses (if the provided form does not allow you to fully describe your budget situation, you may create your own). If you use our form, here is a sample budget to guide you through it. Please use Excel for file format.

• Apply.  See blue button above for "Apply for a fellowship (either an existing/competitive opportunity, or propose your own)".

• The Berry Career Institute will email you after receiving your application in order to schedule an interview with the Fellows Selection Committee as well as a mock interview prior to that.  If you are selected for the fellowship, you will also be required to complete an Ingenuity in Action proposal.

Fellowships will be awarded on merit and on a first-come, first served basis. We understand that many programs may not notify students of internship acceptance until closer to the internship start date. Applications received after deadlines will be accommodated when possible.

Deadlines for existing fellowship sites can change without notice, particularly if multiple applicants for the same role are expected. Check back regularly in case the deadline has changed. 

Summer Applications: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and students are encouraged to apply on or before the following deadlines (or deadline listed for a specific site).

Academic Year Applications: 60-90 days prior to the internship start date. Early applications are encouraged.