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Participation in the Citi Aspen Intern Program is limited to current members of MicroTest that are in good standing. Current and past members will be receiving membership confirmation information via email during November, 2008. If you have do not receive this information and wish to confirm your status please email microtest@aspeninst.org.
The selection process for the Citi Aspen Intern Program is competitive. To learn more about the program and submit an application, please click on the links below. To learn more about alumni, click here.
Additional downloadable forms and materials
Proposal Format (word)
Sample MicroTest Job Description (word)
Intake Data Matrix (excel)
Supplemental Materials (pdf)
Download RFP (pdf)
Description
The Citi Aspen Intern Program is a 12-week internship program that will expose 15 graduate students to the microenterprise development field in the U.S., while helping microenterprise development programs to collect high-quality client outcomes data. Programs receiving awards will select an intern to work under their supervision. In addition, the Aspen Institute will convene all the interns in Washington DC at the start of the project for training and orientation, and again at the end to share experiences, findings, and successes.
Stipends for interns are $7,000. Interns’ travel, food, and lodging in Washington DC will be covered by the Aspen Institute.
Eligibility
Applications will be accepted only from current MicroTest members in good standing (e.g. they have a current signed membership agreement and no outstanding invoices from prior years). Eligible applicants must meet all of the selection criteria listed below, must agree to follow all data collection protocols and timelines, and agree to follow all Citi publicity requirements.
Programs receiving awards will select their interns. However, in order to receive compensation under this program, internship candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Graduate students, between their first and second years of graduate studies, are strongly preferred.
- Experience and/or coursework in research methods; experience in interviewing clients and field social research a plus
- Pursuing degree in public administration, planning, business administration, economics, international development or related field
- Have a strong interest in pursuing a career that addresses domestic poverty and/or economic inequality
Programs do not have to have an intern identified at the time of the proposal. However, an intern meeting the above criteria must be identified prior to any funds being disbursed.
Selection Criteria
In addition to the eligibility requirements and intern criteria, proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Clarity of the organization's key research questions and their relationship to the organization's current needs
- Thoughtfulness of plans for data use
- Quality of management plan for survey implementation and integration of key staff to support success
- Approach to intern selection, and
- Relevance of proposed additional tasks for interns (in terms of contribution to organization and of contributing to intern's understanding of the microenterprise field)
Proposal Submission
Proposals must be received via e-mail (or hard copy if necessary) no later than 9:00 p.m. EST on December 5, 2008. Proposals should be no longer than five (5) pages, not including attachments, using single spaced 12 point type. Proposals should address all of the eligibility and selection criteria.
Required attachments include your key research questions, the completed intake data matrix, a job description for the intern, and a timeline of key activities.
Citi Aspen Intern Program
Attn: Jan Simpson
The Aspen Institute
One Dupont Circle, NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
Jan.Simpson@aspeninstitute.org
Questions can be directed to:
Tamra Thetford: microtest@aspeninst.org
(773.384.7710)
| December 5, 2008 | RFP Due |
| January 16, 2009 | Internship awards announced |
| April, 2009 | Training for Data Collection Managers begins via webcast |
| May 26, 2009 | Internship start date |
| May 27, 2009 | Webinar for DCMs and Interns on Pre-Interview Tasks |
| June 4-5, 2009 | Introductory training meeting in Washington DC |
| July 16, 2009 | Completed client outcome data due to Aspen Institute |
| August 6, 2009 | Closing meeting of interns in DC |
| August 14, 2009 | Final day of internship |
