2026 South Asia Center Summer Internship Program Application

Description

The South Asia Center (SAC) is pleased to announce new research internship placements in South Asia for Summer 2026. Students will be able to work on a project of their own design with the aid of a local mentor in South Asia, or can choose to volunteer with an organization devoted to work in a particular field (see sample topics below).

Most opportunities include a host institution and/or research mentor who will offer guidance to students, assist with accommodation, and offer valuable connections and insight. Placements are available to students at all levels. Funding is currently limited to students who will NOT graduate in May or August of 2025.

Application Instructions

1. Upload Personal Statement answering the following questions: 
   
   After reviewing institutional and mentor descriptions, provide a short description of your interest in the proposed research from the specific internship site tab on our website. If you want to work on an independent project of your own design, students please submit your proposal so that host institutions and/or mentors can easily accommodate. 
   
   Do you have previous experience working with this topic? If yes, please explain. If you have never worked on this issue/with this population before, please explain why you would like to (250 words or less).
   
   Have you taken a Research Methods course or conducted research before? If so, please give details, and explain the process, challenges and outcomes of previous research (250 words or less).
   
   Please describe a time when you had to be self-directed and resolve a conflict while working in a challenging environment (250 words or less).
    
2. Please upload a total of 2 references. References can be academic or professional. If you’d like, feel free to include one from a faculty member who might have a direct interest, or serve as an on-campus project mentor. 
    
3. Please upload a PDF of your unofficial Penn transcript.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.