The Edna Bailey Sussman Foundation

Graduate Internships in Environmental Science

Deadline Friday February 15, 2008

Offered through the
SDSU Field Stations Program
-Collecting, sharing, and understanding environmental data-

The Edna Bailey Sussman Foundation sponsors research and internships for SDSU graduate students who apply hard science to help solve existing environmental problems. The internship is an assignment with a host organization involving the preservation of wildlife, the control of pollution, the preservation of natural land resources, or similar subject matter related to the environment and conservation.

The Sussman Foundation provides financial support directly to graduate students who are currently matriculated into graduate degree programs at SDSU. Students may request support for internships conducted during any time of the year, but most internship proposals request funding for the summer. For 2008, a maximum of $12 per hour, up to 35 hours per week, for 14 weeks will be awarded to three qualified SDSU students ($5,880 total).

Internship Host Organizations

Students should identify an internship position with a local business, agency, or non-campus research group for which they are requesting Sussman funding. The SDSU Field Stations Program (FSP) has internship opportunities available, and can assist in placing students in projects, at the following field stations: Mission Trails Regional Park, Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, and Tijuana River National Estuarine Reserve.

How to Apply

For information, requirements, and application materials, contact SDSU Field Stations Program at 619-594-0580 or visit LS-105.

Internship Requirements

The Edna Bailey Sussman Foundation will provide support directly to students who are matriculated in graduate programs at SDSU. Internships must meet the following conditions:

• The Intern position would not have been filled if the organization had to compensate the Intern out of its own funds. The Sussman Fund will consider enriching internship support for those who receive less than minimal support.
• The Intern will be utilized in an assignment involving the preservation of wildlife, the control of pollution, the preservation of natural land resources, or similar subject matter related to the environment and conservation.
• The Intern will not be utilized in sales, production, or any other capacity not directly related to the environment.
• The Intern will not act as a lobbyist.
• The Internship will occur in the United States or its territories.
• The Internship will not take place on the SDSU campus or its properties.
• SDSU may submit a maximum number of proposals that must meet minimal criteria as established by the Field Stations Program. The maximum number of proposals accepted by the Sussman Trustees is established each year immediately prior to the application deadline.

Application Requirements

Two copies of the following materials must be submitted in the order listed. DO NOT STAPLE. The applicant's name should be on each page of the application.

1. Application Cover Page (Standard Format required). Specify the start and end dates of the internship period. Get the application cover page here
2. Proposal: Describe the work of the intended internship and how it will contribute to your educational and career goals. What work will be performed during the internship and how will this work benefit the host organization? Identify the job supervisor by name and title and describe how the supervisor will evaluate the work. Maximum 500 words.
3. Letter from Faculty Sponsor (Typically the Major Professor). Statements should be addressed to The Edna Bailey Sussman Foundation. The faculty advisor's statement must explicitly discuss the following: (1) the start and end date of the internship, (2) the relationship between the internship and the student's academic program of study, (3) the nature of the work to be accomplished, (4) the name of immediate internship supervisor, (5) how the internship will be supervised.
4. Letter from Internship Sponsor (on official organization stationery, signed). Statements should be addressed to The Edna Bailey Sussman Foundation and should be written by the person who will directly supervise the internship and should explicitly discuss the following: (1) the start and end date of the internship, (2) the importance of the internship to the host organization, (3) the nature of the work to be accomplished, (4) the name of immediate internship supervisor, (5) how the internship will be supervised and evaluated.
5. SDSU graduate transcript (should include most current semester). Request two copies of the SDSU transcripts to be sent from the College Registrar directly to Field Stations Program MC 4614.
6. Undergraduate transcript(s) (Including transcripts for transfer credits). Unofficial copies of transcripts are acceptable.
7. Resume or curriculum vita.
8. Budget justification page.

Amount of Support

In 2008, Sussman will pay a maximum of $12 per hour, for up to 35 hours per week, for 14 weeks. The scope of the work proposed should match the total funding requested. Applicants are required to provide a separate budget justification page in support of their request.

Students may request support for internships conducted during any time of the year, but most internship proposals request funding for the summer. Sussman Internships do not provide tuition scholarships or health insurance benefits. These costs are the responsibility of the applicant. Sussman interns are responsible to report taxable income to the Internal Revenue Service.

Criteria for Campus Evaluation

1. Completeness of application.
2. Quality of proposal. 500 words or less. Applicant must have a good command of the English language.
3. Quality and strength of letter from Academic Advisor.
4. Quality and strength of letter from Host Organization.
5. Evidence of academic abilities – especially in subject areas directly related to the proposed internship.
6. Reasonable duration of internship.

Final Report

Interns must submit two paper copies and one digital copy of a final report to the Sussman Fund, c/o Field Stations Program fspinfo@sciences.sdsu.edu at the end of the semester following the internship. For Internships resulting in a large final report (more than 20 pages), thesis, or dissertation, an executive summary, generally 3-5 pages in length should be submitted.

If the final report is not submitted in a timely manner, as requested by the Field Stations Program, the funding will be revoked. If there is a reasonable delay in the preparation of the final report, please notify the Field Stations Program campus office: 619-594-0580.