2011 PEER Summer Internship Program -
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the application deadline?
Application review will begin after the first submission deadline on March 21, 2011 at 8:00 am Pacific Time. The application submission form will remain open until all positions are filled. Applicants who submit their information after March 21st, may still be considered if additional applicant review becomes necessary. For the best chance of acceptance, all students are encouraged to submit their application before the first deadline on March 21, 2011 at 8:00 am Pacific Time.
How many hours will I work a week?
You will work a regular 40-hour work week over a 10-week period from June 13, 2011 – August 19, 2011. Daily hours and schedules may vary, and are agreed upon by the mentor and intern in advance.
I am currently an undergraduate but I am graduating in May/June 2011. Can I apply for the PEER Summer Internship?
According to the NSF grant details, "students who have received their bachelor's degrees and are no longer enrolled as undergraduates are generally not eligible to participate." Therefore we cannot accept May/June 2011 graduates into the program, and they should not apply.
There are several other options already posted on the PEER website that may be a good fit for recent graduates however, especially if they are continuing on to graduate school. Visit the PEER website listing of internship opportunities.
The program dates are June 13, 2011 – August 19, 2011. Is there any flexibility in these start and end dates?
No. The start and end dates for the program are not negotiable, because of the close coordination needed amongst all the interns and the set dates for the scheduled activities like the orientation program. These dates were carefully chosen to allow participation of most students from universities with either a semester or a quarter system.
Can I take a class during my internship, or hold a job?
This is not recommended or allowed. For special necessary cases, proposed classes or outside employment would need to be discussed by the the intern, mentor, and intern coordinator, then approved by the mentor and intern coordinator in advance.
Interns who are student employees at the host institution where they will intern must terminate their student employee status before their internship start date.
Is the $7,000 stipend given as one lump sum?
No. As soon as your mentor confirms that you have started your internship, your first stipend payment of $6,000 will be initiated. A final stipend payment of $1000 will be generated once you have successfully completed the internship.
What does the $7,000 stipend cover?
The $7,000 stipend amount is intended to cover travel expenses (getting to and from your host institution's city) and living/subsistence expenses for the duration of the internship.
Are income taxes withheld from my stipend payments?
Stipend payments will be generated from the University of California, Berkeley. Those students who are residents of states other than Calfornia will have California income taxes deducted from the gross stipend amount. They will have to file a California State Income Tax Return the following year in order to request a refund (if eligible) of that amount.
Is there any assistance in finding living accomodations?
You will be responsible for finding your own living accomodations, but PEER can help you get in touch with contacts and resources at each host institution that may provide assistance.
Who makes the travel arrangements and pays the expenses for attending the Orientation Workshop and PEER Annual Meeting at the conclusion of the internship?
PEER makes all arrangements and covers all expenses.
If I'm not selected for the PEER internship program, what are some other options?
View other opportunities posted at the PEER Internship web page
Who do I contact with more questions?
Heidi Faison, PEER Outreach Director, hfaison@berkeley.edu, 510-642-3462
Need More Information?
Find more information about the PEER Internship Program.


Funding for the 2011 PEER Internship Program is provided National Science Foundation under Grant No. EEC-1063138. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation (NSF).