U.S.-Panama Innovation & Competitiveness Initiative
Internship Training Program
This honors program, based on the vision of the Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación, promotes access of world-class knowledge and advanced global skills by providing a platform for structured discussion. It promotes local leadership through the ideals of responsible public service.
University and college students participating in this program will have an opportunity to interact with other students from the United States and around the world, sharing ideas and experiences among politicians, policymakers and experts. Participants will work in different private and public sector organizations located in Washington, D.C., with our partnering internship sites guaranteeing 80 percent of meaningful tasks, and limiting the administrative tasks to no more than 20 percent of the participant’s time.
The additional components of the Training Program will facilitate the acquisition of critical knowledge regarding innovation and competitiveness.
Eligible students can apply for a full scholarship offered by SENACYT. These scholarships are competitive.
Download our program overview for more information [2]
The Internship Experience
U.S.-Panama Innovation & Competitiveness Initiative
Check out this blog written by one of our international interns, Dina [3].
Check out this video from one of our international interns, Fallow Bwatu.
Check out this video from Querétaro
Sample Internship Sites
U.S.-Panama Innovation & Competitiveness Initiative
- Organization of American States
- World Resources Institute
- D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development
- Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Amazon Conservation Team
- Rural Coalition
- InterAction
How to Apply
U.S.-Panama Innovation & Competitiveness Initiative
Eligibilty
- Must be a Panamanian citizen and have a valid passport.
- Must have completed at least 2 years of undergraduate studies or be currently enrolled in a masters or post graduate program.
- Must maintain a minimum grade point average of 91/100.
- Must present current academic transcript.
- Successful completion of an accredited standardized English test [i.e. TOEFL (Minimum score of 500 (Paper Based)); IELTS or equivalent].
- Complete all of The Washington Center application components.
- As part of the application, an essay containing a proposal for an Innovative Project must be written (3 pages minimum). Themes for this essay may be selected from: International Trade; Import and Export Compliance; Commercialization of Technological Products; Innovation; Transparency; Regional Sustainable Development; Research and Development Policies; Copyrights and Patents; Scientific Journalism; Improvement to Panama's competitiveness in different sectors: (i.e. Agro industries; Logistics and Transportation; Bioscience and Healthcare; Sustainable Tourism; Technology; STEM Education; Environmental Law or Renewable Energy).
How to Apply
- Speak with you campus liaison or email us [4].
- Visit the portal [5] to begin an internship application.
- Send supplemental documents (below).
Application Components
- Motivational Letter*
- Resume*
- Two letters of recommendation*
- Copy of official identifications
- Copy of valid Panamanian passport
- Letter of Endorsement from the University
- Official copy of professional degrees and current academic transcript
- Official copy of accredited standardized English test results [i.e. TOEFL (Minimum score of 500 (Paper Based)); IELTS or equivalent].
- Essay of preliminary project plan (described in Eligibility Requirements)
* These documents should be presented in English
