Through the Labs for Industry Futures and Transformation (LIFT) Network grant, the LIFT Network Internship Program connects students from regional colleges and universities to internships at local companies focused on advanced industries such as technology, manufacturing, data science and analytics, supply chain or logistics management, and research and development. The program can subsidize half of the wages of up to two approved internship positions for each employer partner, up to $2,500 per intern. During the program’s pilot year in Summer 2021, we dispersed more than $70,000 in funding to subsidize 34 internships supporting more than 20 companies in the South Bend - Elkhart region.

Program partners include the the University of Notre Dame's Center for Civic Innovation, enFocus, IT Sector Partnership, Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, and the South Bend Regional Chamber.

The model of the LIFT Network Internship program aligns directly with the aims of the overall initiative to increase productivity, improve resilience, and increase the supply of an advanced workforce for our region’s mobility cluster companies.

In order to receive intern wage subsidies as part of this program, employer eligibility requirements are as follows:

• Intern(s) must work a minimum of 300 internship hours over at least 8 weeks between May and August 2021.
• Company must compensate student interns at least $12/hour.
• Company should encourage intern attendance at the 5 required LIFT Network Internship events that occur during lunch hours or after work throughout the summer. Wage subsidies will only be awarded for interns who attend at least 3 of these 5 events—unless an intern is remote only.
• Company must be a for-profit organization located within Elkhart, Marshall, or St. Joseph County. Hospital networks facilitating roles similar to those listed below are also eligible.
• Company must operate within manufacturing, logistics, technology, or related industry OR;
• Company must create an engineering, technology, or other advanced position with an industry not listed above (examples: an information technology internship for a financial services organization, a data analyst intern for a healthcare organization).

PROGRAM CONTACT
Please direct any questions to Hunter Guthrie, the LIFT Network Internship Project Manager, at LIFTNetwork@southbendelkhart.org.

COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS
We understand that COVID-19 may continue to disrupt typical internship plans for employers. If your company needs assistance in planning an internship with the unique circumstances surrounding the pandemic, we are here to help. Our team has experience in designing remote and hybrid internship experiences, and we will work with you to ensure a successful internship experience for your LIFT Network Interns.

The Employer Application for Summer 2022 is now closed. If you would like to receive more information about the program and/or have interest in being a partner employer during Summer 2023, please fill out this Employer Interest Form.

• About the LIFT Network Internship Program
• LIFT Network Internship Program Flyer
• LIFT Network Internship Program for Students
• LIFT Network Internship Job Description Database