Program Overview

The Humanitarian Internship Program (HIP) is a university-funded summer initiative that provides George Washington University undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the humanitarian sector. Over the course of 10 weeks, selected students participate in paid, full-time internships with leading organizations addressing critical local and global challenges.

HIP is more than an internship—it's a cohort-based learning experience designed to develop the next generation of leaders in humanitarian work. Students are matched with host organizations based on their interests and skill sets and engage in professional, interdisciplinary work that spans fields such as policy, logistics, communications, data analysis, and development.

To enhance the internship experience and ensure meaningful growth, students also participate in six required cohort trainings throughout the summer. These sessions are designed to support students’ development of core competencies essential to humanitarian leadership, including:

HIP is built on a model of mentorship, peer support, and reflective learning. Students leave the program with deeper insight into the humanitarian field, a stronger professional network, and real-world experience that positions them for future impact.

At the conclusion of the summer, participants create and present a poster highlighting their internship experience, contributions, and lessons learned. These presentations are shared at a university-wide event in the fall, celebrating student impact and showcasing the value of the program.

Eligibility Requirements

The Humanitarian Internship Program is open to students from any academic background or program:

• Full-time undergraduate students must be in their sophomore or junior year at the time of application.
• Currently enrolled graduate students

To be eligible, students must:

• Not be graduating in the spring semester prior to the internship period
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 at the time of application and at the start of the internship
• Be in good standing with the university, including a clear disciplinary record

International students must be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT eligibility requires full-time enrollment for at least one academic year (two consecutive semesters, excluding summer) and completion of at least one full academic semester at GW prior to the internship.