Skip to main content

## Search

My Visit

Donate

Smithsonian Institution

## Site Navigation

- Visit   - Hours and Locations
  - Entry and Guidelines
  - Maps and Floor Plans
  - Dining and Shopping
  - Accessibility
  - Visiting with Kids
  - Group Visits     - Group Sales
- What's On   - Exhibitions     - Current
    - Upcoming
    - Past
  - Today's Events
  - Online Events
  - All Events
  - IMAX & Planetarium
- Explore   - Art & Design
  - History & Culture
  - Science & Nature
  - Collections     - Open Access
  - Research Resources     - Libraries
    - Archives       - Smithsonian Institution Archives
      - Air and Space Museum
      - Anacostia Community Museum
      - American Art Museum
      - Archives of American Art
      - Archives of American Gardens
      - American History Museum
      - American Indian Museum
      - Asian Art Museum Archives
      - Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, African Art
      - Hirshhorn Archive
      - National Anthropological Archives
      - National Portrait Gallery
      - Ralph Rinzler Archives, Folklife
      - Libraries' Special Collections
  - Podcasts
  - Mobile Apps
- Learn   - For Caregivers
  - For Educators     - Art & Design Resources
    - Science & Nature Resources
    - Social Studies & Civics Resources
    - Professional Development
    - Events for Educators
    - Field Trips
  - For Students
  - For Academics
  - For Lifelong Learners
- Get Involved   - Volunteer     - Behind-the-Scenes
    - Digital Volunteers
    - Smithsonian Call Center
    - Visitor Information Specialist
    - Docent Programs
  - Citizen Science
  - Work with Us     - Office of Human Resources       - Working Here
      - Employee Benefits
      - How to Apply
      - Job Opportunities
      - Job Seekers with Disabilities
      - Frequently Asked Questions
      - SI Civil Program
      - Contact Us
    - Affiliations
    - Global Partners
- Support   - About Membership
  - Become a Member
  - Renew Your Membership
  - Make a Gift
- About   - Museums and Zoo
  - Research Centers
  - Cultural Centers
  - Education
  - Our Organization     - Leadership       - Secretary Bunch
      - Advancement
      - Communications
      - Administration
      - Education
      - Museums and Culture
      - Science and Research
    - Board of Regents       - Members
      - Committees
      - Reading Room
      - Bylaws, Policies and Procedures
      - Contact
      - Schedules and Agendas
      - Meeting Minutes
      - Actions
      - Webcasts
    - General Counsel       - Legal History
      - Internships
      - Records Requests         - Reading Room
      - Tort Claim
      - Subpoenas & Testimonies
      - Events
    - Equal Employment Office       - EEO Complaint Process
      - Individuals with Disabilities
      - Special Emphasis Program
      - Supplier Diversity Program         - Doing Business with Us
        - Policies and Procedures
        - Additional Resources
    - Sponsored Projects       - Policies         - Animal Care and Use
        - Human Research
      - Reports
      - Internships
  - Reports and Plans     - Annual Reports
    - Metrics Dashboard       - Dashboard Home
      - Virtual Smithsonian
      - Public Engagement
      - National Collections
      - Research
      - People & Operations
      - One Smithsonian
    - Strategic Plan
  - Newsdesk     - News Releases
    - Media Contacts
    - Photos and Video
    - Media Kits
    - Fact Sheets
    - Visitor Stats
    - Secretary and Admin Bios
    - Filming Requests

# Office of Sponsored Projects Internships

Interns participate in projects that directly or indirectly help Smithsonian research, curatorial, and educational staffs prepare proposals and administer grants and contracts. This includes work in administration, finance and accounting, public relations/marketing, and technical/computer. Emphasis is placed on developing special short and long-term projects that will be beneficial and of mutual interest to both the office and the intern. 

Internships with the Office of Sponsored Projects are **unpaid internships**.

### Requirements

Applicants with a background or interest in proposal development, grant and contract administration, project management, finance, accounting, or information systems are encouraged to apply. 

**Required academic background**: None

**Term**: Variable (minimum 2 months, 10-15 hours per week)

**Deadline**: Open All Year

### Internship Examples

### Services Provided

The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) provides assistance to Smithsonian staff who are seeking, or have obtained external funding for sponsored projects. A “sponsored project” is a research, education, exhibit, training or other activity that receives partial or full funding though the mechanism of a federal or non-federal grant or contract. OSP assists with the acquisition and use of grant and contract funding for Smithsonian research, education and training. Assistance is provided to Principal Investigators (individuals seeking grants or contracts), administrative units, and central management staff.

### Types of Work

Principal pre-award functions include:
                              - Advising on funding availability and sources
                              - Assisting with proposal preparation and submission, including meeting sponsor and Smithsonian requirements, and development of the budget
                              - Reviewing and negotiating the terms and conditions of a proposed award and accepting the award on behalf of the Institution
                              - Providing advice and assistance in development of the Institutions’ research policies.

Principal post-award functions include:
                              - Monitoring sponsored project financial management activities of all grants and contracts
                              - Providing advice and problem resolution services to Principal Investigators
                              - Serving as the official Smithsonian audit liaison with auditors of government agencies, private foundations, and corporations for grants and contracts.

The office is also responsible for preparing, negotiating, and applying the Smithsonian’s indirect cost rates for grants and contracts.

### Application Procedures

Use the Smithsonian's Online Academic Appointment system to apply for OSP internships: SOLAA.

There are no deadlines. Applications are reviewed throughout the year.

### Contact Information

**Phone**: (202) 633-7110

**Email**: ospmail@si.edu

                - Museums and Zoo
                - Research Centers
                - Cultural Centers
                - Education
                - Our Organization                   - Leadership
                  - Board of Regents
                  - General Counsel
                  - Equal Employment Office
                  - Sponsored Projects                     - Policies
                    - Reports
                    - Internships
                - Reports and Plans                   - Annual Reports
                  - Metrics Dashboard
                  - Strategic Plan
                - Newsdesk

##       Footer logo      

Link to homepage

###       Footer navigation      

- Contact Us
- Accessibility
- Job Opportunities
- Inspector General
- Records Requests
- EEO & Supplier Diversity
- Shop Online
- Host Your Event
- Press Room
- Privacy
- Terms of Use

###       Social media links      

- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- YouTube

###       Email signup form      

(Privacy Policy, Terms of Use)

Back to Top