Thirteen local charities and community organisations are set to benefit from a new cohort of talented University of Aberdeen student interns through a new phase of the successful partnership between the University and The Wood Foundation.
The initiative, called Interns with Impact in partnership with The Wood Foundation, connects students with work opportunities while helping charities develop innovative projects. A total of 13 internships have been approved for 2026 with more to follow in 2027.
The placements will give students the chance to gain valuable professional experience, while making a tangible contribution to organisations working across sport, culture, science, community development, social support and the arts.
The projects the interns will work on span a diverse range of areas, from community sport and STEM engagement to business development, research, communications and social impact. Participating organisations include Aberdeen Science Centre, Aberdeen Sports Village, CFINE, The Barn, Sound Festival and North East Sensory Services (NESS), among others.
Applications for students are now open until October 7, offering students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while creating lasting benefits for both the host organisations and the communities they serve.
The first cohort of interns will begin their 24-week placements on 16 November 2026. All current University of Aberdeen students enrolled on a full degree programme, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, are eligible to apply, regardless of their year of study or subject.
Through the new co-funding agreement between the University and The Wood Foundation, all interns will receive a financial stipend to support their living costs while undertaking their internship, ensuring that the opportunities are open to all.
Alisdair McKibben, Internship Manager from the University of Aberdeen, said: "Now in its fourth year, the Interns with Impact initiative delivered in partnership with The Wood Foundation, continues to demonstrate the value of investing in both our students and our third sector organisations.
“These internships provide meaningful professional experience for young people while supporting charities to deliver important projects that might not otherwise be possible. We’re extremely grateful to The Wood Foundation for its committed support which enables us to deliver the scheme. We're delighted that 13 organisations will benefit from the programme this year and look forward to seeing the impact these placements will have across our communities."
Sarah Chew, UK Chief Executive of The Wood Foundation, added: “The Interns with Impact programme is a practical way of bringing together the skills and enthusiasm of University of Aberdeen students with the needs of organisations across the third sector.
“Through The Wood Foundation’s support, students can apply their knowledge in a real-world setting while helping organisations progress projects that benefit the communities they serve. We’ve seen first-hand the value these placements can bring and look forward to continuing our partnership with the University and seeing what this year’s interns achieve.”
Students wishing to find out more, can visit https://www.abdn.ac.uk/careers/experience/abdn-internships/