• About ASIP • The Program

The Program

Students may apply to participate as interns with the Alberta Smithsonian Internship Program (ASIP) either in the summer session (May to August) or the fall session (September to December) of a given year. Before submitting an application, students must research the internships available at the Smithsonian Institution that may be of interest to them, as the internships are of different durations. The applications submitted by students for both sessions are put through the following four-tier process:

  1. Screened for completeness and compliance with specific eligibility requirements
  2. Evaluated for nomination and subsequent recommendation to the Smithsonian Institution
  3. Assessed for suitability via a telephone interview, and upon a successful interview
  4. Recommended to the Smithsonian Institution for consideration and eventual placement.

An Application Form and other relevant information about the Program can be downloaded from a link on the ASIP website: www.destinationtheworld.ca.

Deadline for Applications

Applications for internships in either session of a given year must be submitted to the ASIP Coordinator's Office by the last day of the first full week in January of that year. This deadline may vary from year to year, depending on the criteria and deadlines set by the Smithsonian Institution. Applications forwarded after the deadline specified on the Application Form will be accepted only if an insufficient number of applications is submitted, and will be processed only after those received on time have been processed.

Funding

An internship must be of at least 2 to 4 months in duration to be deemed eligible for ASIP funding. The Program awards a sum of $6000.00 CDN each, for up to ten internships annually. The actual number of recipients will depend on the specific dates and durations of internships requested, and the ability of the Smithsonian Institution to find placements for the successful nominees. The monetary award will be paid in a lump sum at the commencement of an internship. Students are required to pay for a return airline ticket as well as their living and accommodation costs for the duration of their internship from these funds. If an intern is required to withdraw for reasons other than personal health or a family bereavement, a pro-rated amount of the award for the portion of the internship not completed, will have to be returned. For more information on the monetary award, or withdrawal conditions, please contact the ASIP Coordinator.

Travel Arrangements

Students will be responsible for making their own travel arrangements (Edmonton or Calgary/Washington, D.C). Students are advised to fly in to Reagan International Airport (not Dulles International Airport) as it is less expensive, and has metro access to the city. While students are encouraged to make tentative travel arrangements upon nomination, they MUST NOT pay for an airline ticket until they have received formal acceptance from the Smithsonian Institution; most airline tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE.

Travel Documentation

The Program Contact at the Smithsonian Institution will ensure that the ASIP nominees, upon successful placement, receive appropriate visa and immigration documentation, prior to their departure for the United States. In turn, these students, prior to their departure, must ensure that they have a valid passport, a return airline ticket, appropriate health and travel insurance, and made arrangements for suitable accommodations.