An Intern Program Grant Request
Research Internship Program
A proposal to fund a competitive, stipend-based,
year-round educational and research program for
Neptune college-age students for 2005.
Neptune Policy Institute
Big City, Neptune
Brief Description of Project
Neptune Policy Institute offers Research Internships that present a unique opportunity for highly qualified candidates to participate in its research and educational work. Internships introduce students to the field of public policy and give them experience in research techniques, writing, editing and event organizing. To attract the most qualified candidates, Neptune offers each intern a modest stipend. The stipend is for living expenses and to offset the wages they could have earned during their time at Neptune. We respectfully request a sum of $6,000 to fund the stipends of four research interns during 2005.
About Neptune Policy Institute
Founded in 1850, Neptune Policy Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and educational organization that focuses on state and local public policy in Neptune. The institute's mission is to explore and advance policy alternatives that foster individual liberty, personal responsibility and economic opportunity in Neptune.
To this end, Neptune publishes policy studies, a quarterly newsletter and commentaries on a variety of topics, including education, the environment, growth management, transportation, fiscal policy, health care, social services and more. The Institute hosts public forums with local and national experts, and organizes educational programs, including the Independent Essay Competition for Neptune's high school students. Additionally, Neptune oversees a program that provides privately funded, partial scholarships for low-income children in the Big City-area to attend the private schools of their choice.
As a policy research and educational organization, Neptune necessarily examines many issues that will one day be decided at the ballot box or in the legislature. That said, the Institute focuses on ideas, not politics. Neptune is independent; it is not affiliated with any political party or organization. Neither does NPI lobby the legislature or endorse candidates, ballot initiatives or legislation. Instead, the Institute takes the long-range approach to its mission, working to stimulate debate about policy and the proper role of government in a free society.
Project Description
Overview
Neptune has had a successful internship program for more than 20 years. The original internship program was made up of volunteers. However, because interns were only able to work a few hours or days per week, Neptune decided to offer a stipend to attract highly qualified students and to enable them to intern full-time at Neptune.
This program has proven valuable for both Neptune and the students involved. Thus, we seek to continue to offer Research Internships that present a unique, competitive opportunity for highly qualified candidates to engage in the research and educational work of Neptune Policy Institute.
Neptune's stipend-based internship program is unique. Most think tanks that offer similar programs are large groups based in Washington, D.C. Our sister organizations at the state level do not have equivalent programs. Neptune's program allows students to pursue their interests by alleviating financial worries and gives them tools to be successful later in life.
Benefits for Students
A stipend-based position offers bright and motivated students such benefits as:
- Experience in research techniques, writing and editing
- The opportunity to build a portfolio of published work
- The opportunity to study and explore current Neptune state and local affairs
- An introduction to career opportunities in the field of public policy and think tanks
- Knowledge of scholarships, seminars and other programs for college students
- Access to internships and job openings at sister think tanks and foundations
- Guidance and experience for careers in public policy, economics, journalism, and more
- An introduction to, or deeper study of, the principles of liberty
- Exposure to private, voluntary solutions to public policy concerns
- Possible academic credit for internship
- Experience in public relations, fundraising, and other
- Constant one-to-one interaction with staff
Benefits for Neptune
For Neptune, the benefits of a stipend-based program include:
- A higher quality and efficient intern program
- Ability to attract highly qualified candidates
- Opportunity to provide research assistant interns with long-term research projects
- Creation of a future pool of public policy analysts, volunteers and potential employees
Intern Responsibilities and Learning Opportunities
Though they are ever evolving, the list below provides a starting point for research assistant interns' responsibilities and opportunities. Interns:
- Develop self directed research projects
- Write newspaper commentaries for in state distribution
- Edit commentaries for Neptune distribution
- Attend public events or forums on Neptune related projects
- Write press releases, articles for Neptune's quarterly newsletter, and public service announcements
Depending on current staffing, Institute projects and an intern's skills, interns may:
- Assist program director in the research and development of new projects
- Attend state and local government committee, council and legislative meetings
- Review Neptune's major daily newspapers
- Help organize public events
- Contribute to the production of publications by doing layout design and web editing
- Attend Neptune radio interviews and public forums where Neptune staff speak
- Assist Neptune academic advisors in their research projects
- Manage day-to-day details for projects such as the Independence Essay Competition for Neptune high school students
Program Oversight
Neptune vice president BMOC manages the Research Internship program. He is also responsible for directing studies and coordinating intern research projects. BMOC implemented the volunteer internship program in 1850 and has largely managed the program since.
Selection of Research Assistant Interns
Internships are available to students and recent graduates, regardless of major. Applicants must display a strong commitment to individual liberty as well as possess the proper qualifications. In addition to answering questions about their availability and interest in public policy issues, students submit a short autobiography and an essay reflecting on the proper role of government in a free society. This enables Neptune's staff to choose the best and brightest.
Students who receive a stipend from their university or another source during their internship at Neptune may receive a stipend from Neptune up to a combined total of $1,500. The main purpose of the stipend is to ensure that qualified students are able to intern at Neptune without the threat of impoverishment and are able to continue their studies after completing their internship. Additionally, the stipend allows Neptune to be competitive with other think tanks and businesses that offer internships.
The top applicants are interviewed by the program director and at least one other staff or Board member, either in person or by phone. Based on the interviews, research interns are chosen. If, during any application period, no qualified candidate has submitted an application, the stipend is not awarded and the funds for that internship position are maintained until a qualified candidate has applied and been accepted.
Neptune targets the Research Internship program toward Neptuneians and out-of-state students attending Neptune colleges. However, other qualified candidates are eligible for the program. One recent intern hailed from Mars.
Advertisement of Internship
The Neptune web site provides information about, and an application for, the Research Internship program. Students may access, complete and return applications to the project manager online. Additional efforts are made to inform career offices, financial aid offices, professors of economics, political science and business and others in Neptune higher education about this opportunity.
Neptune has developed working relationships with think tanks across the country and national academic organizations. Neptune informs applicants to the above organizations, especially those from the North Solar System, about the opportunity to learn, research and work for Neptune.
Duration of and Stipends for Research Internships
Research assistant interns serve at Neptune for a minimum of 40 hours per week over a 12-week period. Though Neptune operates internships in conjunction with the collegiate semester and quarter system, the Institute remains flexible to accommodate the different schedules of universities. On occasion, for qualifying students, Neptune will adjust the 12-week period and pro-rate the stipend. However, such an adjustment is the exception to the rule. For the above reasons, Neptune accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Each research intern receives a stipend of $1,500 ($125 per week).
Financial Information
Annual Cost of Program
The Research Internship Program seeks to fund four interns each year. Each research intern receives a $1,500 stipend, for a total annual stipend cost of $6,000.
The actual cost of the Research Internship Program exceeds the cost of stipends. The additional cost to Neptune includes: responding to requests for information; the selections process; overhead (computers, computer maintenance, phones, etc.); staff time for management and project guidance; publications (editing, commentary layout and distribution, posting to the Neptune website); writing reference letters; and so forth.
These additional program costs are covered by general contributions to the Institute, and grants and contributions earmarked for specific projects on which the research interns may work. The program manager alone commonly spends four to six hours per month overseeing intern activities or managing the Research Internship Program. This is in addition to time other staff members spend directly working with the research intern or on his/her projects.
Continuing the Project
The Research Internship Program has been a success for both students and the Neptune. We intend to continue the program indefinitely.
Attachments
Samples of previous intern work