About

Today’s students are seeking opportunities to complement their rigorous academic coursework with powerful learning opportunities outside the classroom. Our students’ educational experiences are increasingly being shaped by what they learn and do in the summers, whether that’s in a lab or a library, in an office or in the field.

Internships remain one of the most effective bridges between college and career. The more experience students gain, the stronger their outcomes. Data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers shows that students who complete internships are significantly more likely to receive job offers after graduation, with paid interns seeing the strongest results. Employers extend full-time offers to about 62% of their interns, underscoring the role internships play as a primary hiring pipeline. Students who complete multiple internships build deeper skills, broader networks, and greater confidence—further increasing their chances of securing an entry-level role soon after graduation.

At the same time, access remains uneven. While a growing share of internships are paid, financial barriers still prevent many students from pursuing these critical experiences—making support for funded opportunities essential.

At UR, the return on that investment is clear: 97% of Summer Fellowship supervisors say they would hire their fellow for a future role if circumstances allowed—a powerful testament to the value of hands-on experience.

Research experience is also critical, particularly for students planning to attend graduate school. One-quarter to one-third of Richmond graduates go to graduate school and research fellowships help prepare them to compete for admission to the best programs.

UR Summer Fellowships ensure students are able to take on the internship or research opportunity that will help them gain an edge in establishing their career path. Faculty-mentored research experiences allow students to pursue original intellectual discovery while also providing them with the laboratory, field, or archival experience that enables them to compete for admission to top graduate programs. Summer internships challenge students to apply what they’ve learned in a new setting while providing traction in the professional world.

UR Summer Fellowships include eight programs that award fellowships of up to $5,300 to students each summer. Continuing, full-time, degree-seeking University of Richmond undergraduate students in good standing in the School of Arts & Sciences, Jepson School of Leadership Studies, or Robins School of Business may apply, although each program may have additional requirements. In the summer of 2024, the University awarded more than $2 million in fellowship funding to approximately 550 students.