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Intern Nebraska

Internships create lasting connections between students, businesses, and regions; more than half of young people who participate in an internship become full-time employees where they intern. The Intern Nebraska Grant Program (InternNE) provides financial assistance to businesses that create new internships in Nebraska.

The Department of Economic Development (DED) will accept public comments from June 23, 2023 to July 14, 2023 regarding the proposed 2023-2024 Amended Qualified Action Plan and the proposed 2024-2025 Qualified Action Plan for the Intern Nebraska (InternNE) grant program.

Comments may be mailed to Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Attn: Rose Baker, P.O. Box 94666, Lincoln NE 68509-4666. Comments may also be submitted by email to rose.baker@nebraska.gov.

Is my business eligible for an InternNE grant?

Business and organizations that may receive support from an InternNE grant must:

  • Be located in Nebraska.
  • Be a for-profit company or a non-profit; government entities, as well as both public and private colleges and universities, are not eligible.

Are the internships we want to create eligible?

Internships receiving support from InternNE must employ a student who is either:

  • In eleventh or twelfth grade in a public or private high school; or
  • Enrolled in a college, a university, a certified training institution or some other institution of higher education; or
  • Applies for an internship within twelve months following graduation from a public or private high school or a college, a university, a certified training institution, or some other institution of higher education.

The internship should employ the student in a professional or technical position that:

  • Has a limited duration
  • Provides valuable work experience and career knowledge
  • Contributes to work on a short-term objective or project
    • Receives credited or certified training for skilled positions that will help resolve skilled workforce shortages and create talent pipelines for Nebraska industries
  • Pays at least the current state minimum hourly wage.

How much can my business receive?

InternNE grant can reimburse 50%, up to $7,500 per internship, of eligible expenses.

What expenses are eligible for reimbursement?

Business with less than 50 full-time equivalent employees are eligible for:

  • Wages paid to an intern
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Internship housing
  • Transportation expenses relating to internships
  • Internship recruitment or administrative costs

    Businesses with more than 50 full-time equivalent employees are eligible for:

    • Tuition reimbursement
    • Internship housing
    • Transportation expenses relating to internships
    • Internship recruitment or administrative costs

    How do I apply for funds?

    Applications will be available fall of 2023.

    Applicants must meet eligibility requirements and submit a completed application.

    The Department will provide updated 2023 program guidelines and FAQs in the coming weeks.

    Program Resources

    The Department of Economic Development (DED) will accept public comments from June 23, 2023 to July 14, 2023 regarding the proposed 2023-2024 Amended Qualified Action Plan and the proposed 2024-2025 Qualified Action Plan for the Intern Nebraska (InternNE) grant program.

    Comments may be mailed to Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Attn: Rose Baker, P.O. Box 94666, Lincoln NE 68509-4666. Comments may also be submitted by email to rose.baker@nebraska.gov.

    Have questions about InternNE?

    Rose Baker

    InternNE Coordinator