Generation Health.
Overview
The Career and Practicum Office recognizes that many graduate students face financial constraints that make it difficult to pursue unpaid practicum opportunities, thereby limiting the range of experiences available to them during their master’s program.
Generation Health provides financial support to students pursuing unpaid internships with nonprofits, NGOs, governmental bodies, public health agencies, and other organizations focused on improving health outcomes locally and globally. As a practice-based school of public health, BUSPH is committed to fostering experiential learning that prepares graduates for success in the professional public health landscape.
Award Information for Students
In 2026 MPH students may receive up to a $4,000 stipend to fund an unpaid practicum opportunity. To qualify, students must:
- Be currently enrolled at BUSPH and in good academic standing;
- Plan to secure an unpaid practicum of at least 240 hours during the applicable semester;
- Demonstrate financial need;
- Successfully submit their application for the current cycle by the deadline at 11:59 PM.
Students are expected to honestly disclose their current financial needs and any other information provided.
Expectations & Eligibility
To apply for Generation Health, students do not need to have already secured a practicum. All standard BUSPH Practicum requirements, policies, and procedures apply.
Eligible applicants include all in-person MPH students—domestic, international, and dual-degree—planning to complete a traditional unpaid practicum of 240+ hours (not fulfilled through course equivalency or another program). Students are not eligible if:
- They are employed full-time and completing the practicum at their place of work;
- They are employed full-time at BU and are doing a practicum at BU;
- They began the practicum in a prior semester.
Eligible Practicum Start Dates by Semester:
- Spring: Must begin between January 1 and April 1
- Summer: Must begin between May 1 and August 1
- Fall: Must begin between September 1 and November 1
Application & Review Timeline:
- Spring Cycle: There is currently no Generation Health funding for Spring ’26
- Summer Cycle: February 11 – March 11
- Fall Cycle: There is currently no Generation Health funding for Fall ’26
Applications are reviewed blindly by student representatives who have previously completed their practicum. Notifications will be sent within 2–3 weeks after the cycle closes.
Award Disbursement Requirements
Recipients must provide a letter on official letterhead from the practicum employer stating the position is unpaid or indicating any partial compensation.
- Any stipend received from the employer will be deducted from the BUSPH award.
- If the practicum later becomes paid (by the employer or a third party), the student must decline the Generation Health funding.
- Funds will only be released once the practicum has been fully approved through the portal.
- Students who have already borrowed up to the federal cost of attendance will have the award used to reduce their loan amount instead of receiving disbursed funds.
Tax Information
- Generation Health awards are considered taxable income.
- Domestic students will receive a 1098 in January for the preceding tax year.
- International students are subject to a 14% tax, charged to their student account in March.
For detailed tax information, visit the Payroll Office website. For additional questions, email: nrapay@bu.edu.
For assistance with the application process, please contact sphpract@bu.edu.