The Center for Careers, Life, and Service administers a series of need-based grants to help students partake in professional development activities, acquire professional attire for interviews, conferences, and related activities, and participate in interviews for a range of post-graduate opportunities (full-time positions, fellowships, graduate and professional school, among others). Each of these grants is made possible through the generous support of the Daniel and Patricia Jipp Finkelman Deanship and other Grinnell College alumni.
CLS Grants
Explore Grant
✅ OPEN
New for Fall 2026, this grant empowers first- and second-year students to explore career interests through job shadows, independent projects, and other hands-on learning experiences.
Summer Internship Grant
🛑 CLOSED until Spring 2027
Supports participation in unpaid or low-paid summer internships. First-, second-, and third-year students are eligible, as well as fourth-year December graduates. (Shown here: Koast Tsymbal ’27, interning at Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, summer 2026.)
Graduate School Grant
✅ OPEN
Supports expenses associated with applying to graduate and professional school. Third- and fourth-year students are eligible.
Senior Interview Grant
✅ OPEN
Supports participation in interviews for full-time positions, post-graduate service opportunities, admission to graduate or professional school, or related post-graduate endeavors. Fourth-year students are eligible.
Professional Attire Grant
✅ OPEN
Supports purchase of professional attire. Second-, third-, and fourth-year students are eligible. (Be sure to check out the Career Clothing Closet as well!)
Professional Development Grant
✅ OPEN
Supports professional development activities like attending a professional conference, joining a professional association, pursuing a certification/designation, and more. Third- and fourth-year students are eligible.
Service or Civic Activity Grant
✅ OPEN
Supports collaborative civic and social justice projects in the local Grinnell community. All students are eligible.
