FAQs for Students

You may extend your internship beyond the 3-month period. However, the additional work period will be considered outside of the range of the Doctoral Internship Program and arrangements must be made between yourself and the internship supervisor.

The intern may work the legal maximum each week, which is dependent on their immigration status within the country of work. 15 to 29 hours per week is considered part-time, while 30 hours and above per week is considered full-time. International students are typically allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week. Please consult International Student Services for more information.

As this internship program solely supports doctoral students, the level of work should be appropriate to your advanced skills and expertise.

The purpose of the Doctoral Internship Program is to give students learning experiences outside of their current network. However, should you find an internship opportunity at McGill that respects all eligibility criteria, please contact graduatefunding.gps [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Doctoral%20Internship%20Program) (GPS) for a case-by-case review. Note that internships or practicums that are a requirement for degree completions are NOT eligible for funding under the Doctoral Internship Program.

No, this program is for students who have submitted their initial thesis but have not yet defended, and have yet to submit their final e-thesis.

Yes, however, please note that International students on study permit are typically allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week if undertaking an internship in Canada (consult International Student Services for more information regarding weekly work hours). Please contact GPS should you have other questions regarding your eligibility for the program. 

Contact the potential host organization as soon as possible. Some organizations interview candidates months prior to the start date of the internship.

• An indicator of a genuine organization is its reputation. Is it well known and respected by the general public, or within the industry?
• The company/organization should not be asking students for a fee or payment to become an intern.
• The company/organization may have an official internship program.
• Internships may be in the private or public sector, for a non-for-profit or inter-governmental organization.

Yes, maximize your chances by applying to as many organizations/internships as you can!
However, remember that you can only do one internship under the Doctoral Internship Program, so choose wisely before submitting your application to GPS!

GPS has compiled a Database of Doctoral Internships. A list of resources offered to you as a McGill student is also available on the student information page.

The application should be submitted to GPS at least 2 months in advance of the proposed internship start date

Please allow for a period of up to 4 weeks for a review.

Yes. GPS will notify you, and the host organization.

You will receive payments directly to your bank account. Please ensure that your direct deposit information on Minerva is up to date.
The disbursement schedule for a full-time 3-month internship, for example, will be as follows:

• $2000 on the start date of the internship
• $2000 one month after the start of the internship
• $1900 two months after the start of the internship
• $100 upon receipt of the final internship report

In case of a prorated award, the disbursements will be prorated accordingly.

Please consult your Award Holder’s Guide.

We encourage you to accept any internship opportunity that will prepare you for your future career. However, if you receive funding from the host organization, your GPS funding may be prorated accordingly. That is, internships funded by the Doctoral Internship Program will be limited to a maximum of $2,000 per month, including remuneration from the host. If the host organization is offering $2,000 per month or more, the internship will not be eligible for funding from this program.

Note that non-monetary benefits (housing, etc.) may be offered by the host organization. These benefits may be considered additional to the $2,000/month maximum upon approval by GPS.

We recommend that you still apply to the Doctoral Internship Program, as it is a way for McGill to offer advice and support during your internship.

All doctoral interns will be expected to complete the course, Preparing for Your Internship on myCourses. 

Yes, upon completion of your internship, you will be required to submit a final internship report. Students participating in a longer internship (more than 3 months) will be asked to submit at the end of the 3rd month of their internship.

You should submit your final report within 2 weeks of finishing your internship. Late reports may affect your funding. Students participating in a longer internship will be asked to submit at the end of the 3rd month of their internship.

If you do not submit the report before the deadline, the final payment will be withheld.

Should your internship end sooner than expected, please contact GPS immediately for a review of your case. The funding you receive from GPS may be prorated accordingly.

Yes, we encourage you to expand your horizons as much as possible. Please remember to plan ahead in order to obtain the proper immigration and work permits in time.

Yes. The nature of the documentation will depend on your citizenship/immigration status in the country. For more information, please visit the Travel Canada-Living abroad website or consult your internship supervisor about country specific-requirements.

This process can take a long time. Please start applying for proper documentation as soon as possible.

No. It is your responsibility to apply for the appropriate legal documentation.

You are responsible for your own travel expenses. However, you may be eligible for a Graduate Mobility Award (GMA). Approval of your application to the GMA will be at the discretion of your Academic Unit.