1. What do you mean by "family planning" and "integrated family planning/reproductive health"? Isn't it all reproductive health now?

To be eligible for GAP funding, applicants must be interested in developing a particular expertise in family planning, birth spacing, STI-HIV/AIDS prevention, adolescent reproductive health, abstinence promotion, and related areas, and their GAP internship must serve to increase that expertise.

2. What do you mean by "population-environment"?

As used in this context, the term means linking family planning, reproductive health, and environmental programming in the developing world.

3. Who is eligible?

You must be a U. S. citizen or permanent resident. Your internship must take place in an eligible country (see question 4). You must be currently enrolled in a graduate program and the internship must take place during the summer between two years of graduate school or within a month of completion of your degree. If you are in a one-year program, you may apply for the March deadline and request permission to complete your internship off-cycle. Please note that approvals for internships not taking place in the summer are limited and entirely at the discretion of the Programs.

4. In which countries can a GAP intern work?

At the present time, GAP internships may take place in the following countries. This list is affected by current events and can change without notice. It is checked periodically and updated as necessary. You are encouraged to check several times while arranging your internship and writing your application. You may check for official Travel Advisories or Warnings at the State Department Web site, www.state.gov/travel/, or you may check with the Program by e-mailing gap.grants@umich.edu. Applicants will be notified upon receipt of their application if their proposed host country is no longer suitable, and they will be given the opportunity to arrange another internship if they wish to be considered.

List updated as of December 9, 2005

Sub-Saharan Africa:
Angola
Benin
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Ghana
Guinea
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mozambique
Namibia
Rwanda
Senegal
South Africa
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia

Latin America & the Caribbean:
Bolivia
Brazil
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Nicaragua
Paraguay
Peru

Asia (except Central Asia), the Middle East & North Africa:
Bangladesh
Cambodia
East Timor
Egypt
India
Jordan
Vietnam

Europe & Central Asia:
Albania
Belarus
Bulgaria
Caucasus
Croatia
Kosovo
Kyrgyzstan
Macedonia
Moldova
Romania
Russia
Serbia
Tajidkistan
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
Uzbekistan

5. My graduate program only lasts 11 months, and includes class work in the summer. Can I apply for the summer before I start, or after I graduate?

You may not apply before you start. You must be enrolled in a graduate program to apply. In a case like this, you would need to apply for the deadline that falls during your school year and request permission to do your internship at a time other than during the summer. Please note that approvals for internships not taking place in the summer are limited and entirely at the discretion of the Programs.

6. What if I am a part-time student?

Students enrolled half-time or more are eligible.

7. What if I don't have an internship arranged by the deadline?

In order to write a strong application, you must have a clear idea at the time you write of the host agency where you will be working, and you must know that your host agency is willing for you to work on a project with a family planning component (see question 1). We recognize that the details of your work there may be finalized after submitting your application materials, at the last minute, or even on your arrival. But the more information you can give us about your planned work, the stronger your application will be. You can submit additional information about your internship after the deadline, and it will be considered if it is received before applications are reviewed (approximately two to three weeks after the deadline). If you are just beginning to search for an internship or still considering multiple offers when you sit down to write the GAP application, you should not apply.

8. My host agency has offered me a stipend. Is this a problem?

No. However, if you are employed by an international organization active in this field and your proposed internship is primarily a way of cutting costs for your employer, you are not eligible. Some host agencies offer nominal stipends to all interns. If you do not have a continuing relationship with the host agency, such a stipend will not affect your eligibility.

9. If I receive GAP funding, what will I get?

You will receive $2,500, in two checks. The first, for $2,250, will be disbursed near the start of your internship. The second, for $250, will be sent to you after you have successfully completed the internship, including submitting the reports required by the Program in a timely fashion (see question 11). If you fail to complete your internship or the reporting requirements, you may be asked to return the funds.

10. Do I need to provide a budget?

No.

11. What records do I need to keep during the internship, and what reporting requirements are there?

Before you receive GAP funding, you will be asked to certify the dates of your internship and your citizenship. You are required to check-in with the Programs upon arrival at your internship. Within two weeks of the return date you give, you must submit a report on your internship. A form will be provided. In addition, your host agency supervisor will be asked to answer a questionnaire on your contributions to the organization's work. You must notify the program of any changes in internship dates and substantive changes in the scope of work.

12. My program is only 18-months, am I eligible to apply?

During an 18-month program, you are eligible the summer that you are in school, and if you graduate in May, you are eligible the summer following your graduation (See also questions 3 and 5).

13. I graduate in May, would I be eligible for the summer following my graduation?

All students who graduate in May are eligible for internships that begin within one month of completion of their degree.

14. I graduate in December/January, when could I apply for GAP funding?

Students who graduate in the winter are eligible for the first summer they are in school, not the summer following graduation. They must apply while they are enrolled and request permission to begin the internship within one month of graduation. Please note that approvals for internships not completed during the summer are limited and are entirely at the discretion of the Programs.

15. If I receive funding for my summer internship this year, may I apply next summer for funding for a different internship?

No, individuals may only receive GAP funding once.

16. I have a personal/professional commitment that may take place during my proposed GAP internship. May I leave my internship and then return to it?

GAP internships must be full-time work opportunities lasting at least two consecutive months. Award recipients sign an agreement certifying full disclosure of their internship's location, sponsoring agency, and dates. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact gap.grants@umich.edu prior to submitting your application.