Robert F. Smith Internship Program

2024 Position Descriptions

Applicants can be considered for up to 3 offsite positions of interest. To also be considered for a Robert F. Smith position located at NMAAHC in Washington, DC you must apply through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointments (SOLAA) system.

All Positions for 2024 (pdf)

Archives (1 position)
Apollo Theater Archives
New York, New York

Digitization (1 position)
Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library
Atlanta, Georgia

Digital Curation (1 position)
Chicago History Museum
Chicago, Illinois

Digitization (2 positions)
Fisk University John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library
Nashville, Tennessee

Digital History (2 positions)
Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University Libraries
Salisbury, Maryland

Digitization (1 position)
Museum of the Grand Prairie
Mahomet, Illinois

Archives (2 positions)
Tuskegee University Archives
Tuskegee, Alabama

Apply

Applications have closed for 2024.

• Cover letter (no more than 2 pages) detailing your past and present academic history and other experiences which you feel have prepared you for this internship and an outline of what you hope to learn during this internship.
• Resume
• Answers to Supplementary Questions below, submitted in one document (250-500 words for each answer). Applicants may use this document as a template.
  • Statement of interest in African American history and culture.
  • Please address how your perspectives and experiences contribute to a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable discipline.
  • The Robert F. Smith Internship Program consists of more than just project-based skills building. It also includes mandatory professional development seminars, cohort-building activities, attendance at an industry conference, and a mentorship program. Which components are you most excited to participate in, and how do you think your participation in those components will help you achieve your career goals?
  • OPTIONAL: If selected, what topics might you like to cover during the professional development seminars?
• Unofficial transcript(s)
• 2 academic and/or professional letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the intern applicant along with all other application materials.

Label all uploaded documents as: Full Name_Document Type (e.g. "Jane Smith_Cover Letter" or "John Doe_Transcript").

Anticipated Summer 2024 Timeline

• Applications accepted through February 15, 2024.
• Museum staff will confirm receipt of Offsite application materials via e-mail within 3 business days of submission. Applications submitted after February 9 will be acknowledged within 4 business days. Please contact us if you do not receive a confirmation.
• Host organizations will review applications and conduct interviews February 15 – March 20, 2024.
• All applicants will be notified of their status between March 26-31, 2024.
• Mandatory orientations for selected interns on Saturdays, April 27 and May 4 at 3 p.m. Eastern.

2024 Positions

Digitization (pdf)

Oral History (pdf)

Apply for onsite positions using the Smithsonian online application system. You must select either Digitization or Oral History as a position of interest.

What are onsite and offsite internships?

Onsite internships are those located at NMAAHC and hosted by the Smithsonian. Offsite internships refer to the positions at external organizations such as the Apollo Theater or Museum of the Grand Prairie.

I want to apply for opportunities onsite (at NMAAHC) and offsite (external organization). Do I need to apply more than once?

Yes. Applicants interested in offsite and onsite opportunities must apply through the Online Form for the offsite positions and separately via SOLAA for the onsite positions.

What is the difference between the Cover Letter and Supplementary Questions?

The cover letter should address why you are interested in the specific learning outcomes within the position descriptions, your academic and other experiences that have prepared you for this internship, and outline what you hope to learn.

The goal of the supplementary questions is to get targeted answers for some of the most important evaluation criteria. They address the candidate's interest in the holistic internship program as well as their general interest in African American history and culture. 

How do I upload the answers to the Supplementary Questions in SOLAA?

Save your supplementary question answers in a separate Word or PDF document and upload them using the "Other" category. 

How will my application be evaluated?

We encourage and train supervisors to prioritize the following when reviewing applications:

Primary (Cover Letter and Supplemental Questions)

• A compelling connection between their personal goals and experiences and the internship project duties and learning outcomes
• Quality of writing
• Some experiences, qualifications, skills, aptitudes, or coursework that will benefit the project
• Clearly and meaningfully demonstrates an interest in African American history and culture
• Shows a desire to participate in the entirety of the internship program

Secondary (Letters of Recommendation)

• References have a professional or academic relationship with the applicant
• Give enthusiastic support of the applicant
• Speak to the applicant's skills and aptitudes, and appropriateness for the internship
• Speak to the applicant's maturity and readiness to maximize a professional experience

Tertiary (Resume and Transcripts)

• Candidate is not yet employable for a full-time job based on the skills and experience listed
• Resume is easy to understand
• Reflects coursework relevant to the position (academic major is unimportant)
• Takes progressively more advanced courses in relevant topics
• Coursework reflects an interest in African American history and culture at some level
• Shows some introductory relevant experience through volunteering, student leadership, internships, museum or non-museum employment

Who do I address my cover letter to?

Applications are reviewed by several individuals so there is no need to address your letter to a specific individual. Generic addresses such as “Selection Committee” or “Intern Manager” are sufficient.

How do I submit my letters of recommendation?

• FOR OFFSITE APPLICATIONS: Letters of recommendation should be uploaded by the applicant in the same form submission with the rest the application materials. The letters, as well as the rest of the documents, must be either in Word or PDF attachments.
• FOR ONSITE APPLICATIONS: Letters can be submitted directly by references via SOLAA. Applicants can also upload the recommendation letters directly into SOLAA.
• It is okay to use the same reference letters for all positions onsite or offsite.

Can my reference submit a confidential letter?

• FOR OFFSITE APPLICATIONS: We require that applicants submit their letters of recommendation along with the rest of the application materials through the online form. If a reference will not provide an applicant with a letter, we will make exceptions but only if it is necessary and with prior approval. To receive approval, have your reference contact RFSInternships@si.edu(link sends e-mail) to confirm their preference and receive further instructions.
• FOR ONSITE APPLICATIONS: Letters can be submitted confidentially via the SOLAA portal.

My reference can’t submit a letter by February 15, 2024. Are extensions available?

Extensions are not offered for any reason. All application materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on February 15, 2024. We recommend that you begin the application process early to give yourself and your references ample time to submit documents. Be sure to let your references know the deadline well in advance.

Is there more information about the position available beyond the position description?

We strive to include as much detail as possible in the position descriptions. We cannot provide any further information about specific projects.

Do I have to use the Supplementary Questions PDF form?

No. The Supplementary Questions PDF form is available for use as a template. If you choose to submit the answers with a document you create, be sure to answer all required questions (numbers 1-3).

When and how will interviews be scheduled? Do I need to be there in person?

Interviews are scheduled on an individual basis by each supervisor after February 15. Most applicants participate in phone or video interviews.

I’m not an African American studies or history major. Can I still apply?

Successful applicants must have a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of African American history and culture. The specific academic major does not need to be related, but individual coursework is typically a significant indicator of past interest.

Does the program provide housing?

In general, no. Supervisors can often offer limited guidance and resources. This is a good topic to raise during an interview. If housing is provided directly by the host organization it will be noted in the position description.

How do I find the onsite application in SOLAA?

Once in SOLAA, go to Explore Opportunities and search for the specific Program Name “Robert Frederick Smith Internship Program”. Applications to the “National Museum of African American History and Culture Internship Program” do not transfer to the RFS Program. Similarly, applications to the RFS Program do not transfer to the NMAAHC program. 

I never heard back after submitting my application in SOLAA. What does that mean?

Onsite applications via SOLAA are not confirmed by individual e-mails because applicants can login to the system at any time and directly see if their applications are marked as submitted. SOLAA will not alert applicants if all the necessary documents are not submitted. It is a good idea to double-check the list of requirements prior to submitting the application.

I never heard back after submitting my offsite application via e-mail. What does that mean?

If you do not hear back from NMAAHC staff within 3 business days from your submission, your application was not processed. Please contact us to follow up.

How do I know if my reference letters have been submitted in SOLAA?

Applicants can login to SOLAA any time during the application period to see if the letters of recommendation are present. We recommend checking the system in the days leading up to the deadline to confirm the two required letters have been submitted.

Can international students apply?

If international students already have visa sponsorship in place, they are eligible to apply for the positions at Atlanta University Center, Fisk University, Museum of the Grand Prairie, Nabb Research Center, Tuskegee University, and at NMAAHC. If you do not have a sponsored visa, you may be eligible to apply for the onsite positions in DC. Click here to learn more about the process for requesting sponsorship. International applicants can also direct questions and inquiries to The Office of International Relations.

When will new host organization applications open?

The RFS Internship Program is no longer accepting new host organizations.

When will 2025 internship applications open?

The RFS Internship Program will end in 2024. No applications will be announced for 2025. If you are interested in internships at the Museum, visit the General Internship Program site.