Golden LEAF Rural
Internship Initiative
A Launchpad for Rural Careers and Leaders
Are you a Golden LEAF Scholar looking for a transformative summer experience? Are you a rural North Carolina business seeking to invest in the future of your community? The Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative offers a unique opportunity for both.
Program Snapshot
Program Benefits
For Scholars
- Gain invaluable work experience: Apply your academic knowledge to real-world projects in a rural North Carolina setting.
- Explore career paths: Discover new opportunities and passions within your field.
- Earn competitive wages: Receive up to $18/hour for up to 400 hours of work (minimum 320 hours required).
For Site Hosts Host a Scholar →
- Access top talent: Hire a motivated and skilled Golden LEAF Scholar.
- Benefit from added capacity: Gain support on key projects and initiatives.
- Participate at no cost: The Golden LEAF Foundation covers the intern’s wages.
Hear from Our Participants
“The experience has not only changed my view of my hometown, but also fueled my commitment to serve. This transformation in my perception is one of the most valuable takeaways from my internship, and I am certain it will influence my approach and dedication as I move forward in my career in social work.”
— Sherra Dickerson, ’23 RII Intern
“This opportunity has been great in preparing me for day-to-day nursing in a medical office environment. I have been able to gain industry knowledge firsthand through both observations and hands-on opportunities. The skills that I’ve gained will be useful for bedside or administrative nursing roles.”
— Princess Alston, ’22 RII Intern
For Scholars
The Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative provides eligible Golden LEAF Scholars with professional work experience related to their career field in a rural North Carolina community. The Golden LEAF Foundation provides funding to pay intern participants for up to 400 hours of work (minimum 320 hours required). In the first year, interns earn $16 per hour; in the second year, interns earn $17 per hour; and in the third year, interns earn $18 per hour. Internships take place over 8–12 weeks, between May and August. Internship sites that take on a Golden LEAF Scholar Intern provide them with a meaningful project or role that aligns with the student’s college major and future career goals.
Important: Golden LEAF Scholars will receive a unique application link via email. Applications cannot be accessed publicly.
How It Works
- Find an internship site: Golden LEAF Scholars are responsible for identifying a site to complete their internship. We provide a directory of interested sites as a resource.
- Apply: Complete and submit all application components, including your unofficial transcript and short essay questions.
- Selection process: Work with your selected site to define your job responsibilities and finalize your internship application. The RII team will evaluate your application and notify you of your status.
Eligibility & Requirements
- Eligible Experiences: The internship opportunity must be aligned with your declared or intended major.
- Eligible Sites: Internships must be completed in person at a site physically located in a qualifying rural county.
- Intern Responsibilities: You are responsible for contacting your prospective internship site and working with them to discuss job responsibilities.
Application Requirements
- Contact information
- An unofficial transcript (to verify course of study information)
- Internship site information
- Three short essay questions describing how the proposed experience aligns with your course of study and supports your professional development
Key Dates
November 4, 2025
December 2, 2025
January 22, 2026
February 19, 2026
May 18, 2026
Helpful Resources
- Intern Flyer
- Site Directory: [LIST COMING THIS FALL!]Golden LEAF Scholars are responsible for identifying a site to complete their internship. To support this process, Golden LEAF has compiled a list of sites that are interested in hosting an intern. This list is a resource. Golden LEAF Scholars may reach out to sites on this list or work with sites outside this list to secure an internship.
- BCHM Catalog: While the Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative aims to provide its participating scholars with valuable work experience, there are guidelines for activities scholars may engage in within Bioscience, Clinical, Health, and Medical (BCHM) settings. Please review this resource for a catalog of pre-approved BCHM job descriptions that you and your selected internship site will need to choose from.
For Host Sites
The Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative provides eligible Golden LEAF Scholars with professional work experience related to their career field in a rural North Carolina community. The Golden LEAF Foundation provides funding to pay intern participants for up to 400 hours of work. In the first year, interns earn $16 per hour; in the second year, interns earn $17 per hour; and in the third year, interns earn $18 per hour. Internships take place over 8–12 weeks, between May and August.
Golden LEAF Scholars are responsible for identifying a site to complete their internship. To support this process, Golden LEAF is gathering information from entities interested in participating in this initiative.
Complete our Site Interest Form to communicate your interest in hosting a Golden LEAF Scholar participating in the Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative. This list will be shared with Scholars beginning in fall 2025 as a resource to locate internship sites. Students will be responsible for reaching out to sites from this list.
For sites that have started the Site Interest Form, you may update your information by clicking the Site Portal Access button below.
Your Responsibilities
- Providing a meaningful project or role for the scholar.
- Mentoring the student on the role, professionalism, and rural community leadership.
- Reporting on intern performance via bi-weekly surveys.
- Entering a three-party agreement with the Golden LEAF Foundation and a temporary employment agency.
Helpful Resources
Guidance for Healthcare and Bioscience Internships
The Behavioral, Clinical, & Health Management (BCHM) internship program is designed for scholars pursuing a career in behavioral health, clinical care, or health management. These internships provide hands-on experience in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community health centers, and research facilities.
Specific Guidelines
- There are strict guidelines for activities scholars may engage in within a healthcare, bioscience, clinical, or medical-based setting.
- Under no circumstances may an intern provide or engage in direct patient care or share healthcare recommendations.
- Please review our Permissible Activities for Bioscience, Clinical, Health, or Medical-Based Internships. Your job title and all outlined activities must strictly adhere to these guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the compensation for a Golden LEAF Scholar intern?
In the first year, interns earn $16 per hour; in the second year, interns earn $17 per hour; and in the third year, interns earn $18 per hour. The Golden LEAF Foundation provides all funding for the intern’s wages.
How long do the internships last?
Internships take place over 8-12 weeks, between May and August, for up to 400 hours of work. A minimum of 320 hours is required.
What are the key program dates?
Key dates for the 2026 season include: Application Opens: December 2, 2025; Early Application Deadline: January 22, 2026; Regular Application Deadline: February 19, 2026.
What is the selection process for scholars?
After an application is submitted, it is reviewed to ensure the internship aligns with the scholar’s course of study. The Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative Program Manager then reviews the application, including the unofficial transcript and essay questions, to evaluate the scholar’s professional interests and commitment to a rural community. Interns are announced in March 2026.
How do scholars find a host site?
The program requires scholars to identify their own internship sites. To assist with this, the Golden LEAF Foundation provides a Site Directory—a list of businesses, nonprofits, and government entities that have expressed interest in hosting a scholar. Students are responsible for reaching out to sites from this list or finding a new one on their own.
Is housing provided for the internship?
No, the Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative does not provide housing or transportation stipends. Scholars are responsible for securing their own housing and arranging transportation for the duration of the internship. The program’s design, which encourages students to work in their home communities, is intended to minimize these needs.
Can an internship be completed virtually?
No, all internships must be completed in person at a site physically located in a qualifying rural North Carolina county. This is a core requirement of the initiative, which aims to provide hands-on, local work experiences and strengthen connections within the community.
What if I'm a first-year student without a declared major?
The program is open to first-year students who have not yet declared a major. The alignment with a “course of study” is defined as your intended major. The program may request additional information regarding courses you have taken or are registered to take to confirm your alignment with a particular field.
Are there specific project guidelines for host sites?
Yes. Internship sites are expected to work with the scholar to craft a job description that provides a meaningful experience. The project or role should be an extension of the content the intern has learned in their college courses and should use direct action verbs to describe specific tasks. The program emphasizes that this is not a traditional hourly job, but a professional and educational experience.
What makes a site eligible to host a scholar?
Internship sites must be located in a qualifying rural North Carolina county. Internships may be completed at an entity with multiple locations, provided the student completes the internship at a site located in an eligible county.
Contact Us
For any questions about the program, you can contact the Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative Program Manager at [email protected].