Research internships

Expand your professional networks and strengthen your research and transferable skills through a research internship.

What is a research internship?

A research internship allows you to collaborate with a research end-user—an organisation external to academia—on a real-world research and development (R&D) project. Lasting between 3 to 6 months, these internships require a minimum commitment of 60 full-time equivalent days and can be conducted on-site (domestically or internationally), online, or through a hybrid model, either full-time or part-time.

While research internships can be undertaken at any point during your academic journey, it's advisable to start exploring internship opportunities early, aiming to secure a position within the first 18 months of your candidature.

Hear from University of Melbourne PhD Dr Amanthi Thudugalage about her experience undertaking a research internship through APR.Intern

The process

1. Check eligibility

To qualify, you must:

  • Be enrolled (or under examination) in a graduate research course.
  • Obtain approval from your supervisor.
  • Demonstrate satisfactory progress in your candidature.
  • Have completed Research Integrity Online Training (RIOT).
  • Complete the internship before finishing your degree.

2. Find an internship

Through APR.Intern

APR.Intern connects graduate researchers with industry-funded internships ($3,300 studentship per month) across all sectors and disciplines. Through the APR.Intern website you can:

Once you have found an internship you wish to apply for, you will need to submit the Student Approval Form to your principal supervisor and the Graduate Research Internships team for sign-off.

Source your own

Leverage your professional and industry networks to negotiate a custom internship. You can share this flyer with potential host organisations.

Once an internship has been offered, complete the Internship Registration Form and submit it to the Graduate Research Internships team, who will assist with formalising the project plan and agreement.

3. Pre-internship

Once you have received an internship offer, the Graduate Research Internships team will guide you through the following steps:

  • An Internship Agreement must be signed by both the host organisation and the University before your start date. This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of all parties, including insurance, intellectual property, and confidentiality.
  • You will need to sign a Student Deed. If you have any concerns about its legal implications, free legal advice is available through the UMSU Legal Service.
  • If your internship involves travel, you must comply with University travel policies, including applying for Study Away if necessary.
  • You will be enrolled in Research Internship (SKIL90005), which will appear on your academic transcript.

4. During your internship

During your internship, you will report directly to your host organisation supervisor. Your University supervisor (or academic mentor) and APR.Intern will stay in touch to ensure the internship is running smoothly. You must stay enrolled for the full duration of your internship.

If you are receiving a stipend, it will continue throughout the internship. For industry-funded internships through APR.Intern, you will receive an additional $3,300 monthly studentship, funded by the host organisation.

5. After your internship

At the end of your internship, submit a final report summarising the research's purpose, objectives, methodology, and outcomes. If eligible, apply for internship late submission (see below).

Candidature and late submission

Internships must be undertaken during candidature or the examination period. International candidates may only commence an internship under examination if their visa allows sufficient time.

Candidates who meet the following criteria will be approved for late submission of 3 to 6 months (pro-rated to the internship duration):

✔ A fully executed Internship Agreement (APR.Intern or UoM Graduate Research Intern Agreement) must be lodged with the Graduate Research Internships team:

  • PhDs: Before reaching 3.0 EFTSL (3 years FTE)
  • Masters (Research): Before reaching 1.5 EFTSL (18 months FTE)

✔ The Internship Project Plan and Final Report (as specified in the Internship Agreement) has been completed and approved by the principal supervisor.

To apply for late submission:

  • Complete the late submission form with your advisory committee chair (by 3.5 years for PhDs and 1.5 years for Research Masters)
  • Select ‘Research Internship’ as the reason for the delay in thesis submission.
  • Attach the internship completion certificate provided by APR.Intern as supporting evidence.

Information for external organisations

Information for staff

FAQs

  • Research internships run for between 3 to 6 months (or 60 to 120 full-time equivalent days).

  • Yes, with supervisor approval. However, unpaid internships do not include the $3,300 monthly studentship.

  • Yes, the University provides liability, accident, and travel insurance coverage during approved research internships. For internships based overseas, you must apply for Study Away to ensure insurance coverage.

  • Yes, if your visa allows enough time. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with visa conditions. Candidates who are unsure of their visa conditions or obligations are encouraged to seek advice from a registered visa agent or visa lawyer.

  • Yes. Where an internship is to take place overseas, the host organisation (or Faculty) must fund, at minimum, travel and accommodation costs, in full and up front. Where an internship is based interstate or overseas, it is important you review the guidelines and apply for Study Away.

  • Research internships are course activities that must broadly relate to your area of study. They must make use of, or contribute to, the research skills you develop during your candidature, but do not have to be closely related to your thesis topic.

  • Plan early and discuss internships with your supervisor in the lead-up to your confirmation milestone. Submit your Internship Registration Form at least 8 - 12 weeks before the proposed commencement date.

  • Generally, the outcomes of the internship will not form part of your thesis. However, this depends on factors such as intellectual property rights (determined in the internship agreement) and the type of research activity undertaken during the internship.

  • Candidates who seek late submission due to an internship would not be precluded from applying for late submissions for other research related, or compelling or unexpected personal or medical reasons.

  • Whilst ongoing paid employment in which R&D is conducted does not fulfill the requirements of the University’s research internship program (and is not eligible for enrolment in Research Internship (SKIL90005) and for internship late submission), the University is obligated to report industry engagements for doctoral candidates where there is at least 60 full-time equivalent days of R&D conducted during candidature. Candidates who fulfill these criteria should submit the Employment Registration Form

Contact

Graduate Research Internships team
Email: gr-internships@unimelb.edu.au