Freeman Foundation Award

Freeman East Asia Internship Award

The Freeman East Asia Internship Fund is accepting applications to support internships and practica in East Asia during the summer of 2025 through summer 2026. Recipients of the fellowship (support ranges from $3,500 to $6,500, see levels below) will be selected by a faculty committee on a competitive basis.

Interested students will submit an application including the following:

  • An application form,
  • A résumé, and
  • An essay (no more than 1,000 words) on
    • your internship or practicum;  
    • how this experience relates to your study at MIIS and your professional interests and aspirations; and
    • how this fellowship would give you exposure to, and first-time work experience in, the region and selected country. The Freeman Foundation’s goal is to provide students with exposure to a country in East Asia where they have little to no experience.
  • Prior to receiving an award, students are required to provide proof of an internship offer, such as an offer letter from the organization with a brief description of the internship. Including an offer letter with your packet is likely to strengthen your application, but is not required. 

Parameters for the award:

  • Fellows should have secured an in-country internship or practicum that is at least 30 days in duration and related to the student’s degree program.
  • Eligible East Asian countries and regions are the following: Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Freeman Foundation Fellowships are not available for internships in China or Hong Kong.
  • Support is awarded according to the length of the internship in the region:
    • 30-44 days: up to $3,500
    • 45-59 days: up to $4,500
    • 60 days or more: up to $6,500
  • Non-U.S. citizens are eligible; however, this funding cannot be used for students returning to their home country.
  • Students must be currently enrolled during their fellowship.
  • Students who receive the Freeman award must be in good academic standing.
  • Students should be able to demonstrate financial need. If you received financial aid (accepted the full amount of loans you were offered) for the course, your aid may be adjusted and the grant may not be paid to you directly. Rather, the grant may be used to pay off the loans that were previously awarded to you.
  • Fellows must complete a short survey regarding the internship experience, which will be sent via email from Meghan Rasmussen, Director of Sponsored Programs.
  • If you receive the Freeman award, you are not eligible for any other Experiential Learning (EL) funding for the same experience.
  • Students can only receive a Freeman award once during their time at MIIS. 

All international travel should be registered in the Travel Registration system. If you are traveling to a country/region listed as a Level 2 or higher by the U.S. State Department, you are required to complete the international activity form in addition to registering your travel.

Application deadlines:

  • May 30, 2025 for summer or fall 2025 internships
  • November 15, 2025
  • April 20, 2026

See examples of past Freeman Foundation Fellows. Watch a recent info session with the MIIS Freeman Award Committee. 

Apply Now

Winners will be announced approximately two to three weeks after each deadline. Contact Stacie Riley in the Vice President’s Office with any questions.