Institutional Engagement

ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 250 people who, collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit www.innocenceproject.org.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Innocence Project welcomes interest from educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and students seeking structured learning engagements aligned with our mission.

This application is not for our standard semester-based internships. Those opportunities are posted and filled through a competitive recruitment process on our Careers page.

This request form is intended for:

• Educational institutions proposing semester-long collaborations
• Structured, credit-bearing learning engagements
• Programs prioritizing students directly impacted by the criminal legal system

Please note:

• We are unable to accommodate one-time visits, shadowing, or short-term observational experiences.
• We do not accept individual requests for internship placements outside of our posted roles.
• All requests are reviewed case-by-case based on alignment, capacity, and equity considerations.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

In alignment with our values of fairness, equity, and transparency:

• We do not enter into exclusive partnerships.
• We do not make special accommodations for individual schools or organizations outside of structured review.
• Hosting students requires staff capacity and alignment with departmental goals.
• All engagements must support meaningful learning outcomes.

If your proposal aligns with our mission and we have capacity, a member of the People & Culture team will follow up.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

If approved, engagements may include:

• Participating in structured departmental projects
• Supporting departments in their already established work
• Completing defined deliverables
• Engaging in supervised learning activities

All responsibilities are determined after internal review and departmental approval.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must:

• Be affiliated with an accredited educational institution, nonprofit organization, or formal academic program
• Demonstrate clear alignment with the Innocence Project’s mission
• Propose a structured engagement for consideration
• Provide academic sponsorship, supervision, or credit structure

KEY COMPETENCIES + VALUES

• Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest
• Shared commitment to the IP’s values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness

Benefits

COMPENSATION

This is an unpaid engagement. The Innocence Project does not provide compensation, stipends, or funding for institutional partnerships submitted through this intake.

Any financial support, academic credit, stipend, or funding must be provided by the engaging institution, sponsoring program, grant, or academic entity. Applicants are responsible for confirming funding arrangements prior to submission.

Submission of this form does not guarantee placement, and all requests are reviewed based on mission alignment, equity considerations, and organizational capacity.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To submit a request, please click “Apply for this Job” below.

Applicants must complete all required fields and provide any supporting information related to the proposed engagement to be considered.

Only complete submissions will be reviewed. Information submitted through this secure site is kept confidential.

SALARY RANGE

Unpaid