The Obermann Center for Advanced Studies invites UI graduate students in humanities and humanities-adjacent programs to apply for paid summer internships with Iowa City nonprofit organizations Public Space One, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, and the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation. Six positions are available (two at each site). 

The eight-week summer program, funded by a grant from Humanities Without Walls, will give UI graduate students the chance to gain hands-on professional experience outside the classroom while building skills that translate across many career paths. Interns will apply humanities training such as research, writing, critical thinking, and ethical analysis in real world, public-facing settings.

This opportunity is open to current humanities and humanities-adjacent graduate students (MFA or PhD) not graduating in Summer or Fall 2026 who are interested in exploring careers beyond the traditional tenure track. 

Read more and apply at Obermann HWW Graduate Student Internships 2026. Applications are due Mar. 2, 2026.

Email Obermann Center Associate Director Lauren Cox with any questions.

Note: this memo was also published on Jan. 28, 2026.