Brown University (the “University”) appreciates that, as an educational institution, its mission includes providing individuals with opportunities to gain practical experience outside of the classroom. This policy provides guidance for paid internship opportunities at the University, which are a shared responsibility of University Human Resources and the department hiring paid interns. 

This policy applies to paid interns only. Please refer to the Unpaid Internships and Volunteer Opportunities Policy for information related to unpaid interns or volunteers.

Paid internships provide recent graduates and current undergraduates enrolled at the University or another accredited higher education institution and others an opportunity to gain practical work experience in a field related to their academic program. Paid interns must have the knowledge and experience to perform services primarily for the University’s benefit. 

Paid internships are hourly positions which receive compensation that meets the minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Rhode Island laws or at least equals the University minimum wage for staff positions. The University’s staff hiring policies and processes govern paid internships. Paid internships are processed via Student Employment if the individual is a current University student; otherwise, they are processed as a staff position and comply with the Hiring Employees for Staff Positions policy. 

Paid interns or volunteers between the ages of 16 and 17 must have written consent from parent(s) or legal guardian(s) prior to any activity.

Individuals between the ages of 16 and 17 may be ineligible to intern at certain worksites at the University, including laboratory environments where hazardous materials or select agents are present. 

For the purpose of this policy, the term below has the following definition:

All individuals to whom this policy applies are responsible for becoming familiar with and following this policy and the Hiring Employees for Staff Positions policy. University supervisors are responsible for promoting the understanding of this policy and for taking appropriate steps to help ensure compliance with the policy.

Failure to comply with this and related policies is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension without pay, or termination of employment or association with the University, in accordance with applicable (e.g., staff, faculty, student) disciplinary procedures. 

This policy is not a legal document. This policy does not confer a term of employment, nor is the language intended to establish a contract of employment, express or implied, between any employee and Brown University. The University reserves the right to change, amend or terminate any of its human resources policies at any time for any reason.

Brown University is a community in which employees are encouraged to share workplace concerns with University leadership. Additionally, Brown’s Anonymous Reporting Hotline allows anonymous and confidential reporting on matters of concern online or by phone (877-318-9184).

The following information complements and supplements this document. The information is intended to help explain this policy and is not an all-inclusive list of policies, procedures, laws, and requirements.