Virtual internship program proposal: Free template

Customize this free virtual internship program proposal with Cobrief
Open this free virtual internship program proposal in Cobrief and start editing it instantly using AI. You can adjust the tone, structure, and content based on your client’s industry, team size, and learning objectives. You can also use AI to review your draft — spot gaps, tighten language, and improve clarity before sending.
Once you're done, send, download, or save the proposal in one click — no formatting or setup required.
This template is fully customizable and built for real-world use — ideal for helping businesses, startups, or nonprofit teams structure a remote internship experience that’s valuable for both interns and hosts. Whether you’re hiring one intern or a full cohort, this version gives you a structured head start and removes the guesswork.
What is a virtual internship program proposal?
A virtual internship program proposal outlines your plan to design and deliver a remote learning and work experience for interns. It typically includes onboarding, mentorship, project design, communication workflows, feedback systems, and tools setup.
This type of proposal is used by HR teams, internship coordinators, or people ops consultants building structured internship experiences that work in a remote environment.
Use this proposal to:
- Attract and onboard early-career talent with a smooth, guided experience.
- Deliver hands-on learning through scoped remote projects.
- Ensure regular feedback, mentorship, and skills development.
- Set up a repeatable system for managing interns without adding chaos.
This proposal helps clients turn internships into structured, outcome-based programs — even without an office.
Why use Cobrief to edit your proposal
Instead of copying a static template, you can use Cobrief to tailor and refine your proposal directly in your browser — with AI built in to help along the way.
- Edit the proposal directly in your browser: No setup or formatting required — just click and start customizing.
- Rewrite sections with AI: Highlight any sentence and choose from actions like shorten, expand, simplify, or change tone.
- Run a one-click AI review: Get instant suggestions to improve clarity, fix vague sections, or tighten your message.
- Apply AI suggestions instantly: Review and accept individual AI suggestions, or apply all improvements across the proposal in one click.
- Share or export instantly: Send your proposal through Cobrief or download a clean PDF or DOCX version when you’re done.
Cobrief helps you create a polished, persuasive proposal — without wasting time on formatting or second-guessing your copy.
When to use this proposal
This virtual internship program proposal works well in situations like:
- When launching a remote internship program for the first time.
- When scaling from one intern to a full seasonal cohort.
- When replacing an in-person internship with a remote format.
- When improving an existing program with more structure, feedback, and tooling.
- When nonprofits, startups, or lean teams want to offer learning-based roles without full HR infrastructure.
Use this proposal to build a repeatable, professional internship program — even with limited internal bandwidth.
What to include in a virtual internship program proposal
Each section of the proposal is designed to help you explain your offer clearly and professionally. Here's how to use them:
- Executive summary: Frame the program as a structured opportunity for early-career professionals to contribute meaningfully while gaining real-world experience in a remote-first environment.
- Scope of work: Include onboarding setup, intern handbook or wiki, communication cadences (e.g., weekly check-ins), project scoping, mentorship pairings, feedback cycles, tools setup (Notion, Slack, Loom, etc.), and end-of-program reviews.
- Timeline: Break into phases — onboarding (Week 1), active projects (Weeks 2–8), midpoint review, and final presentations or feedback. Adjust for 4–12 week programs.
- Pricing: Offer flat-fee or per-cohort pricing for program design. Optional add-ons: intern recruiting, tools setup, manager training, or async onboarding materials.
- Terms and conditions: Clarify time commitment, communication expectations, documentation ownership, intern access levels, and program reporting or wrap-up deliverables.
- Next steps: Include a CTA like “Approve to begin intern onboarding system setup” or “Schedule kickoff to define project tracks and communication cadences.”
How to write an effective virtual internship program proposal
Use these best practices to show structure, empathy, and professional development value:
- Make the client the focus: Emphasize how a good program reduces overhead, improves intern productivity, and strengthens employer brand.
- Personalize where it matters: Reference the client’s industry, tools, and whether they’ve hired interns before (and what worked/didn’t).
- Show results, not just process: Use examples like “Increased intern project completion rates by 80% after switching to scoped tracks” or “Improved manager feedback participation with 15-minute async check-ins.”
- Be clear and confident: Avoid generic HR language — spell out what happens, when, and how interns and managers stay aligned.
- Keep it skimmable: Use bullet points and simple headers so ops leads or HR managers can scan and approve quickly.
- End with momentum: Recommend starting with a 1–2 intern pilot program to gather feedback and iterate.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How long should a virtual internship last?
Most programs run 6–12 weeks. You can also run part-time programs (10–20 hours/week) depending on intern availability and project scope.
What tools should I use for a virtual internship?
Common tools include Notion (docs), Slack (comms), Google Meet or Zoom (calls), Loom (async updates), and Trello or Asana (task tracking). Keep the stack simple.
How should I structure intern projects?
Use clear, scoped tracks — e.g., “Redesign onboarding guide” or “Market research on 3 competitors.” Avoid vague to-do lists. Give ownership, not just tasks.
Should I include mentorship or manager training in the proposal?
Yes, if the client is new to managing interns. Even a 1-page guide or Loom video helps ensure a consistent intern experience.
How do I evaluate success?
Use intern feedback, project completion, engagement metrics, and post-program surveys. Offer a wrap-up template or feedback form to simplify this.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Cobrief is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.