Research internship duration
How long is a research internship and are there limits?
Answer ID 3500 | Last updated on 26/05/2026 12.08 PM
- A planned and approved R&D project with a research end-user (REU) related to your doctoral studies, will usually be for a minimum of 60 full time equivalent (FTE) business days extending over at least 3 months. The duration can vary depending on the type of engagement. Refer to examples of research internships. Embedded R&D arrangements with a REU are likely to extend throughout your doctorate studies.
- Flexibility. Depending on the agreed arrangement with the REU, you can complete the 60+ FTE days full time or accumulated flexibly in hours (one FTE day comprises the standard workday hours as defined by the host REU's sector), or in specified days/week or blocks of engagement.
- Keeping Track. Internships can be taken on site, on campus, online or a flexible mix of modes of attendance negotiated with the REU. Therefore you need to keep track of the time, days & dates spent working on the internship as the total number of FTE days must be reported at the conclusion of the research internship.
- Stay in Touch. Keep in touch with your academic supervisor during your research internship. The GRS Internships team will be in touch during a research internship with APR Intern and iPREP Biodesign program partners. Reach out if you need assistance.
- Extending your research internship. You may request to extend the time of your approved research internship once you've commenced it. Your milestones must be kept up to date.
- Please email details to internships-grs@uwa.edu.au
- Limits. You can do a GRS-approved PhD internship anytime during candidature for up to a total of 6 months. International sponsored students must obtain sponsor approval and can intern for a maximum of 3 months. Post-submission the maximum is 3 months full time.
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