Internships, and other hands-on learning experiences, give ILR students the opportunity to develop important transferable skills and gain experience in a variety of sectors. While it is ideal to find paid opportunities, many positions remain unpaid and some students may need support in order to participate.

ILR undergraduate students (first-years, sophomores, and juniors) and first-year MILRs who have secured unpaid or minimally paid summer internships are eligible to apply for funds donated by ILR alumni. Undergraduate students may also apply for campus-wide funding options.

Current students interested in learning more about funding options should visit the funding section of the ILR Career Space (applications typically open in mid-spring).

ILR Alumni-Funded Awards

ILR Alumni have generously donated funding to support current students engaging in meaningful, yet unpaid/underpaid, internship opportunities. Certain funds may not be offered every year.

If you are an alum interested in funding student experiences, contact ILR Alumni Affairs.

Chaim and Ida Miller Award (ILR first-years, sophomores, and juniors)

This fund is open to eligible students who have secured an internship with a labor organization, are involved with organizing or labor education, and would not be able to accept the internship without this aid. This fund was established by Marcia Miller and her brother, Gerry, in honor of their parents. Internships with government agencies, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) are NOT eligible.

Clem Miller Scholarship (ILR sophomores and juniors; preference for juniors)

This fund is open to eligible students who are working in the House of Representatives. 

Melvin H. Osterman Internship Award (ILR first-years, sophomores, and juniors)

This fund is open to eligible students interested in public sector labor relations. The award is for a student who:

  1. is selected for a summer internship with a Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) and/or a Governor's Office of Employee Relations (GOER).
  2. will research issues of labor relations, labor law, and collective bargaining under PERB and/or GOER staff.
  3. will observe mediation sessions and hearings regarding labor arbitrations and employment practices.
  4. has completed courses in labor and employment law or collective bargaining (preferably both).

This fund was established by Mr. Osterman’s widow, Norma Grace Meacham BSILR '74, JD '77, and his colleague, Rosemary Townley.  Internships with government agencies, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) are NOT eligible.

Vicki Saporta Social Justice Internship Fund (Cornell first-years, sophomores, and juniors; preference for ILR students)

This fund is open to eligible students working in nonprofit organizations, domestic or international, that pursue progressive agendas, including, but not limited to, women's rights, women's reproductive health and rights, human rights, workers' rights, organized labor, immigrants' rights, environmental conservation, gun control, animal welfare, and labor unions. The intern role itself should involve active engagement in the organization's focus. The fund was established by Vicki Saporta BSILR '74.

The Price Family ILR Student Experience Fund (ILR first-years, sophomores, and juniors)

This fund is open to eligible students interested in pursuing opportunities outside of the traditional human resources and labor relations fields. The fund was established by David M. Price BSILR ’87.

Scheinman Summer Fellowship (ILR first-years, sophomores, juniors, and first-year MILRs)

This fellowship is open to eligible students interested in pursuing an unpaid summer internship related to conflict resolution or labor relations. The fund was established by Scott Buchheit MSILR '77.