Program Overview
The Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI) offers fully-funded summer internship opportunities to Penn students eager to explore modern India. CASI partners with nonprofit organizations and companies who work on a range of challenging contemporary issues, including public health, rural development, environmental sustainability, education, gender, and social enterprise.
Since 2007, CASI has funded more than 200 Penn students to work with 17 organizations across India. This program is funded through a combination of generous support from CASI donors and Penn Global.
The CASI Summer Internship Program is approximately 8–10 weeks long and will take place between late May and early August 2025.
2025 CASI Summer Internship partners:
Aravind Eye Care System (Tamil Nadu): Affordable Healthcare
Public Health Foundation of India (New Delhi): Public Health Research
Shahi Exports (Bangalore, Karnataka): Labor and Rural-Urban Migration
Ek Tara (Kolkata, West Bengal): Education and Development Programs
Udayan Care (New Delhi, India): Youth Development Initatives
SM Sehgal Foundation (Gurgaon, Haryana): Rural Sustainability Projects
Eligibility
No language skills, international travel, or previous work experience required. Undergraduate and graduate students both encouraged to apply. Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Penn students graduating in May 2025 are ineligible to apply
- Students studying abroad in the fall of 2025 are eligible to apply
- Students must have the ability to spend 8–10 consecutive weeks in India between May and August 2025
- Due to extended visa processing times, students cannot travel internationally between February 2025 and the beginning of the CASI Summer Internship. This includes personal travel, Penn Global Seminars, and other Penn-sponsored travel.
Program Requirements
- Attend pre-departure orientation sessions in March, April, and/or May
- Complete required paperwork to apply for an Indian Student Internship Visa
- Contribute to the CASI Student Programs Blog throughout the summer months
- Participate in the CASI Summer Internship Symposium after returning to campus
Funding
$5,500 will be provided for each student awarded a CASI Summer Internship, which will cover the cost of roundtrip, international airfare and in-country living expenses.*
Funds for the CASI Summer Internship Program are available through a combination of generous support from CASI donors and Penn Global.
Application
Students can apply for up to two CASI Summer Internships. Before applying, it is recommended that students read through the CASI Student Programs Blog, which can provide valuable insight into what it's like to be a CASI Summer Intern.
India is a vast country with diverse cultures, languages, and traditions. Please take some time to research each internship and its geographic location.
Applicants are required to submit an online application. The application requires personal information, the name and contact information for one academic or professional reference, an unofficial transcript, resume, and cover letter. The application can be accessed by clicking the following link:
APPLY HERE for CASI Summer 2025 Internships
Application Dealine: January 21, 2025, 11:59 EST
For more information, visit:
CASI Student Programs Blog: Read about past student experiences in India
CASI Student Programs Video: Hear from our former interns
Questions? Email: Juni Bahuguna (Assistant Director, Student & Visitor Programs) at junib@sas.upenn.edu
*The award will be treated as taxable income, which the recipient will be responsible to report for the tax year in which it was received.