Center for Social Innovation

Supporting MBA Students in Making a Difference

The Stanford Management Internship Fund (SMIF) supports MBA students who take summer employment with nonprofits, government agencies, and social purpose businesses.

What does the Fund provide?

Many nonprofits, social enterprises, and government organizations have summer employment opportunities for graduate students, yet find it difficult to pay MBA-level salaries. SMIF supplements the employer contribution, bringing a Fellow’s compensation in line with the salaries earned by peers working in the for-profit sector.

Selection process

The SMIF selection process is rigorous, both for organizations that wish to hire a Stanford MBA student and for students interested in participating:

• Organizations must involve their SMIF Fellow in a mission-critical project and mentor the fellow throughout the summer.
• Students must demonstrate preparedness for the experience and a commitment to making real impact as a summer employee.

Conditions and eligibility

• Fellowships are granted for ten to twelve weeks.
• Students are eligible only if they return to the GSB after their SMIF fellowship. Additional restrictions apply.

The following organizations are eligible for SMIF support:

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (or equivalent, if non-U.S.)
• Public entities, such as government agencies
• Social purpose for-profit businesses that fulfill additional criteria

Application deadlines

Applications submitted jointly by the student and employer are accepted between March and May each year. See the SMIF Employer Guide for deadlines.