Global Research & Internship Program Application Process

All non-graduating, full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate or master’s level students at the University of Pennsylvania are eligible to apply to the GRIP program. 

• Students must be returning to the same degree program in the following Fall term as a full-time student

GRIP applicants should be self-motivated, adaptable, and open-minded, with a willingness to engage and immerse themselves in a cross-cultural, professional experience.

Individual GRIP placements may also have additional eligibility requirements. Full details by program are available on the “Internship Details & Eligibility” tab of each program brochure in PASSPORT.

Please note that students who have previously withdrawn after committing to the GRIP program will not be considered for future cycles.

GRIP participants must be 18 years old or older by the program start date.

All GRIP participants must adhere to the Penn Abroad University Policy on Conduct & Academic Integrity

Note: One GRIP application per student is permitted.

Understanding how individual opportunities vary and how they connect with your professional, academic, and personal goals will lead to a stronger application and a more fulfilling experience abroad.  

Understanding Placement Structures

• Direct Internship Placements: Students who elect to apply to a direct internship placement are applying to work with a specific employer, which is listed as the program name. These are typically considered more independent experiences because you may be the only or one of a few Penn interns at this location. You can expect that the minimum funding award is 50% of the total estimated cost on the program brochure. 

  • For direct internships, students typically succeed the most if they are:

    • looking to apply to a specific role or company as listed on PASSPORT

    • confident in their ability to navigate the housing market on their own

    • Prepared to build community and network outside of Penn

    • Excited to explore independence and are comfortable with solo travel

    • Looking to have more flexibility in program duration, as well as start and end dates, so that they can plan out their own cultural immersion activities

• Cohort Internship Placements: You apply for acceptance into the overall program, which is based on an industry and location. Each cohort varies in size from 5-15 Penn students. After committing to the program, Penn’s on-the-ground partners will facilitate interviews between the strongest candidates and potential employers and will match you to a placement. The partner organization will charge a program fee for the internship placement, housing, and other items such as visas, SIM cards, and excursions. The minimum guaranteed funding covers the entire program fee.

  • For cohort placements, we have found this is the best placement for students who:

    • Are looking for a highly structured program with structure, housing, airport pickup, and related features

    • You’re open to different types of work opportunities at the time of application and want to explore different facets of a particular industry

    • You’re also excited about making close connections with university students both from Penn and other colleges participating in this placement

• Research Placements: You apply to and conduct research on a specific project under a faculty PI affiliated with an institution abroad. Multiple Penn students will be accepted to each placement.

  • Students who succeed in this type of placement are typically:

    • Looking for an experience within a university environment.

    • Excited to make close connections with other university students and faculty.

    • Open to working independently on a research project.

    • Looking to build skills and networks within an academic discipline.

Reviewing Placement Information

• Search and explore GRIP placements in PASSPORT by placement structure (cohort, direct, and research), industry, or location.

• Review full placement details by reviewing the “Internship Details & Eligibility” tab of each program brochure to determine if the placement meets your professional, academic, and personal goals. 

• Consider key information in the program tabs such as “Visa and Housing” and “Money Matters:” 

  • Will the internship or research placement challenge me to learn and grow through its structure, location, and responsibilities?

  • Does the program offer housing or will I need to secure my own accommodations?

  • What financial considerations would I need to take into account to participate in this program?

Getting Connected 

Take advantage of the opportunity to learn more and ask questions as you choose a placement and prepare your application.

• Upcoming GRIP Information Sessions

• Penn Abroad Ambassadors

• GRIP Drop-In Hours and Penn Abroad Drop-In Hours

• On-Demand Information Session

Application Steps

1.  Attend an information session.

   • Students interested in participating in the GRIP program are required to attend one of the GRIP info sessions offered during the application period or review the GRIP on-demand HERE.   

2. Open your application within PASSPORT.

   • Click the "Apply Now" button on the GRIP program brochure you wish to apply to. This will prompt you to log in to PASSPORT with your PennKey and password to open your GRIP application.

   • Complete all requirements listed in the online application.

   • Please note that only one GRIP application per student is permitted.

3. Submit your GRIP application by the application deadline OR before the application cap is reached, whichever is earlier. 

   • GRIP Application Deadline: 12 PM (noon) ET on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 

   • Each cohort and research placement has a cap of 40 total submitted applications. Each direct placement has a cap of 20 total submitted applications. Once the cap has been reached, the program brochure will be updated to indicate that applications will no longer be accepted to that placement.

   • Remember to click the “Submit” button to fully submit your application in PASSPORT! 

4. If you open and then withdraw an application for one placement, you will be required to email intern-abroad@upenn.edu to reinstate it.

5. Sign up or review the recording for the GRIP Tips: Strategies for Putting Forth a Strong Application session hosted by Career Services to help you prepare your application.

6. Applicants may be contacted by the GRIP employer or partner for interviews. Interviews will take place between January and February. Not all employers conduct interviews.

Creating a Strong Application

• Read through the program brochure in full and don’t forget the tabs! The more you know about the opportunity you are applying to, the better prepared you will be to apply and create strong application materials including cover letters or personal statements. Prepare your application materials specifically for that role and avoid being too general.

• Review posts from previous participants on the Penn Abroad blog. You can learn a lot about the company’s culture and the program location through the experiences of your classmates. Feel free to reach out to an Ambassador to ask more questions - they are always happy to talk to other students about their time abroad!

• Follow application instructions carefully. Some opportunities have strict eligibility requirements (e.g. only sophomores and juniors can apply), while others have specific application instructions (e.g. combine your resume and cover letter a single PDF). Employers look for students who have strong attention to detail and follow instructions closely, and your application is a perfect opportunity to make a good first impression.

• Consider academic, professional, and extracurricular activities in your personal statement or cover letter. Aside from past work experience, think about what classes, clubs and organizations, or other leadership roles might relate to the internship or research placement. What skills have you developed during your time here at Penn or in high school (problem-solving, time management, communication, etc.)? What strengths would you bring to the organization? What areas do you hope to develop as part of the internship experience?

• Utilize the resources offered by Career Services by making an appointment with an advisor or attending drop-in hours to have your application materials reviewed. Check out their "How to" guides for writing resumes and cover letters as you prepare your application materials. They also offer guidance for preparing for interviews.

• Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your application. GRIP receives hundreds of applications every year, and it is easy to tell who spent time on their application and who rushed to complete it in the last hour. Starting early also leaves time to have friends, family, and mentors review your materials and provide feedback.