National Internship Program

► To access the National Internship Program 2025 Website CLICK HERE

National Internship Program-2025 -- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

►Who can apply for the program?

In universities in Türkiye, TRNC and abroad;

• If you are a 2nd, 3rd or 4th year student in a formal education undergraduate program (excluding medicine, dentistry and teaching departments),

• If you are a first or second year student in a formal education associate degree program,

• If your grade point average is at least 2 out of 4 (equivalent in other systems) (grade point average is not required for the application of first-year associate degree students*), • If you are under 35 years old as of 01.01.2025 (born on or after 01.01.1990), and

• If you are a master's/doctoral student abroad, you can apply.

Important: By the time the internship begins, sophomore and first-year associate degree students are expected to have moved up to the next grade, senior and second-year associate degree students are expected to have not yet graduated, and first-year associate degree students are expected to have a GPA above 2. Otherwise, employers may cancel internship offers.

►Between what dates can I apply for the program?

Applications for the National Internship Program will begin on December 23, 2024 and end on February 28, 2025.

►How can I apply for the program?

You can apply for the National Internship Program by following the steps below.

1. Click the "National Internship Program" box on the home page of Career Gate (https://kariyerkapisi.cbiko.gov.tr).

2. Click the "Login" button at the top right of the page that opens.

3. Click on the "Student" option among the login alternatives and then click on the "Login with e-Government" buttons that open.

4. Log in with your "TR ID number" and "e-Government password".

5. You can start your two-stage application by logging into the “Internship Application” menu on the left and clicking the “Apply” button under the “National Internship Program - 2024” heading.

6. First, you must check the information in e-Government, save it in the system, and complete the e-Government stage by clicking the "Apply" button on the last page so that you can proceed to the second stage.

7. This is the final stage! After completing the e-Government stage, you must go back to Career Gate and answer the questions in the "Complete Your Application with the Application Form" section, which becomes active after the e-Government stage is completed.

Congratulations! You've completed your application for the 2024 National Internship Program. You can now track and manage your application status and the offers you've received on the Career Gate - National Internship Program page.

We've designed both application stages so you can save and continue later. To ensure you don't leave your application unfinished, please make sure your "Completed Application" is listed in the "My Application Status" section of Career Gate. If this section shows "Incomplete Application," it means you saved one of the stages to complete later but haven't applied to the Program.

►During the application process, the student information sent via e-Government states "Inactive Student (Registration Not Renewed)." Can I apply to the National Internship Program?

Only students with active and formal education are eligible to apply to the National Internship Program. If your student status is active but your student status received through e-Government is marked "Inactive Student (Registration Not Renewed)," you should contact the university career center, university administration, or student affairs.

►I graduated from my higher education institution, but I want to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the National Internship Program. Can I apply for the program?

The National Internship Program is not open to graduates. However, if you have graduated from a program but are currently an active student in a different formal associate/undergraduate program and meet the application criteria for that program, you can complete your application through the relevant formal education program.

►I want to apply for the National Internship Program, but I don't have my e-Government password. Can I apply?

No. To apply, you must first log in to Career Gate with your e-Government password, and the first step of the application must be completed through e-Government. Therefore, you cannot log in to the system or apply without your e-Government password.

► I will be graduating from a higher education (associate degree/undergraduate) program in the summer semester of the 2024-2025 academic year. Can I apply for the National Internship Program?

You can apply, but if you receive an internship offer, you must be an active student during the internship period. Therefore, it is recommended that you consider your graduation date when accepting or declining internship offers. If you have finished your student career, even if you accept the internship offer, your internship will be canceled because your university will not be able to provide insurance. However, insurance is not required to participate in job shadowing or training programs within the National Internship Program. Therefore, if you receive a job shadowing and/or training offer, you can still benefit from these programs even after graduation, provided you accept the offer and the employer who sent the offer also accepts it.

►I applied to the National Internship Program in recent years. Do I need to apply again to benefit from internship opportunities in 2025?

Yes, you must re-apply to the Program in the new term to be included in the candidate pool and receive an offer. This is because every year, students participate in new activities that contribute to their career development, and therefore, each student's "Proficiency Scores" and "Departmental Score Averages" are recalculated.

►I am a higher education student and meet the application requirements, but my student information on the e-Government Gateway is not up to date. What should I do?

If you believe your information is outdated or incomplete, you should first log in to the ÖSYM-Candidate Transactions page (https://ais.osym.gov.tr/) and update it under "My Education Information." If you are unable to update your information this way, you should contact your university career center, university administration, or student affairs.

►I am receiving an error while applying for the National Internship Program. What should I do?

If you've completed all the steps outlined in the question and met all application requirements but still receive an error during your application, we kindly ask you to send the error along with screenshots of your student information from step 6 of the e-Government phase of your National Internship Program application to ulusalstajprogrami@cbiko.gov.tr so our teams can assist you.

►My high school graduation information is not visible in the e-Government phase of the application. How can I apply?

If you can't view your high school graduation information through e-Government during the application process, you can continue your application by entering your information in the relevant fields using the "Click to Declaration" button. You must ensure that all information in this field is accurate and complete.

►One or more of my information (MEB Non-Formal Education Certificate, MYK Vocational Qualification Information, Athlete License Information, etc.) is not visible in the e-Government phase of the application. How can I add it?

If you cannot view one or more of this information via e-Government during the application process, you can contact the relevant institution(s).

►What does the "Select the city(ies) and district(ies) where you would like to do your internship" section in the Application Form mean? If I make a selection, will I only be able to benefit from internship, job shadowing, and/or training opportunities in the cities I choose?

This option allows you to share with employers which cities you'd like to take advantage of for internship/job shadowing/training opportunities. When filling out the application form, you can select a minimum of three and a maximum of five cities. As you know, transportation and accommodations are each candidate's responsibility. Therefore, employers generally accept that students choose their cities based on these opportunities and send them offers.

However, sometimes employers in different cities can review your profile information and send you offers. This means you may receive offers not only from the cities you selected but also from cities you didn't. In this case, you can choose to accept or decline the offer.

►When I select the "City where I want to do my internship" in the Application Form, the "District Preference" section opens. Is it mandatory to fill in this section?

After selecting a city, click the "Select District" button next to the city's name to select from among the districts within that province, from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 10. To avoid any future issues, it's recommended that you consider transportation and accommodation options when making your selection.

As you know, transportation and accommodations are each candidate's responsibility. Therefore, employers generally send offers based on the student's preferences and their availability. This means you need to make your choices carefully and prioritize them correctly. However, sometimes you may receive an offer for a district other than the one you selected. In this case, you can choose to accept or decline the offer.

►Where can I check the completion status of my National Internship Program application?

After logging into the National Internship Program through Career Gate, you can track your application in the "My Application Status" section on the left menu. If you complete both stages of the application process, your application status will appear as "Completed Application." If you drop/fail to complete any stage of the two-stage application process, your application status will appear as "Incomplete Application."

Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. Therefore, please make sure to indicate "Completed Application" in the "My Application Status" section.

►How can I complete the application I left incomplete in the National Internship Program?

If you've abandoned your internship application, after logging into the National Internship Program through Career Gate, you'll see an "Incomplete Application" in the "Application Status" section on the left menu and on the homepage. You can complete your abandoned application by clicking the "Complete Application" button below this icon on the homepage.

►Can I update my Application Form and/or e-Government information after completing my application?

No. If you have completed all stages of the application (e-Government and Application Form), you cannot make any updates. Therefore, before completing your application, you must ensure that you have answered all questions and criteria, uploaded the appropriate documents, and that your information in e-Government is up to date. However, you can update your city/district and favorite institutions/organizations until the application deadline.

►Can I withdraw/change my application?

If you've completed both stages of the application process, you can't withdraw or change your application. However, as long as you haven't completed all stages (if you see "Incomplete Application" in your "My Application Status"), you can cancel or update your application.

►When will the internship/job shadowing/training programs take place?

The candidate pool will be available to employers throughout 2025, starting from the date it is made available to them, and employers will continue to submit offers until the end of the year, depending on the suitability of their business plans and programs.*

►I received a job shadowing offer but I don't know anything about the job shadowing program. What is job shadowing?

It's an observational learning process that allows students to gain knowledge and experience about professions and work. Job shadowing, which lasts from 3 to 10 days, allows students to spend one-on-one time with an expert(s) in the workplace and observe their work. This allows them to gain firsthand knowledge of the profession and work in question and gain a deeper understanding of the organization.

►I received an internship offer, accepted it, and the final process was completed by the employer. Is there any procedure I need to follow after this step?

Yes. To complete your internship, your higher education institution must first complete the necessary procedures for the internship dates, in accordance with Law No. 5510 on Social Security and General Health Insurance. If your insurance procedures are not completed, your employer will not be able to initiate your internship. To avoid this problem, upon acceptance, you must submit the relevant document issued by your institution (stamped and signed, clearly stating your acceptance as part of the "National Internship Program," your identity information, the dates of the internship, and the institution where you will be doing the internship) to the relevant department of your university/college.

►How many days will the internship last?

It is recommended that higher education internships be at least 20 working days. However, the internship duration can be changed by agreement between the student, employer, and university.

►Will my insurance be covered during the internship?

Yes. All interns recruited under the National Internship Program are covered by occupational accident and disease insurance pursuant to Article 5, paragraph (b) of Law No. 5510 on Social Security and General Health Insurance. In accordance with Article 87, paragraph one, paragraph (e) of the same law, students' occupational accident and occupational disease insurance is paid by the higher education institution where they are enrolled during their internship. Insurance is not required for participation in job shadowing or training programs.

►Will I be paid after the internship?

Those who successfully complete their internships within the National Internship Program are paid a salary by the institution where they completed their internship, following the completion of the internship, in accordance with Article 25 of Vocational Education Law No. 3308, which states, "...no less than thirty percent of the net minimum wage for workplaces employing twenty or more personnel, and fifteen percent for workplaces employing fewer than twenty personnel,..." Employers may determine the wages they pay interns in accordance with this law. For questions about payments, please contact the person responsible and/or the person who submitted the offer on the "Offers I Received" page.

►Who will pay the salary after the internship?

Internship fees are calculated by the institution/organization where you completed your internship following the completion of your internship and are processed in accordance with their payment processes and dates. Employers are responsible for internship payment procedures in accordance with applicable legislation. Therefore, if you have any questions about payment, please contact the institution where you completed your internship. 

Can I get support for transportation to the workplace from the employer providing the internship opportunity?

Transportation is the sole responsibility of each candidate. Transportation options should be taken into consideration when selecting a city/district during the application process.

►Can I get support for accommodation from the employer providing the internship opportunity?

Accommodation is the sole responsibility of each candidate. Accommodation options should be taken into consideration when selecting a city/district during the application process.

Additionally, you may be able to find accommodation in dormitories affiliated with the Ministry of Youth and Sports during your internship.

►How can I change my email and contact information on Career Gate?

After logging in to the National Internship Program through Career Gate, you can make relevant changes in the "Contact Information" section in the "My Information" section on the left menu.

• If you want to update your email address, click the green "Update Email Address" button next to your current email address and enter your new email address. You must enter the verification code sent to your email address in the field on the same screen within 90 seconds.

• If you want to update your contact number, click the green "Update Contact Number" button next to your current mobile phone number and enter your new 10-digit phone number (in the 5xx xxx xx xx format) without any leading zeros. You must enter the verification code sent to your phone in the field on the same screen within 90 seconds.

Note: If you change your email address and contact number, employers will use your updated contact information to contact you, not the contact information received through e-Government.

►How can I share with employers the dates I am available to participate in the internship program?

After logging into the National Internship Program through Career Gate, you can share your desired internship dates with employers by going to the "My Calendars" section in the left-hand menu. You can create up to five internship calendars in this section and prioritize them. You can change your calendars at any time.

However, please remember that employers offer internships, job shadowing, and/or training opportunities to many students and create their own schedules with this in mind. Therefore, employers will use your calendars to gauge your availability and, if possible, will attempt to send offers based on these dates. However, they will not preclude you from submitting an offer for a different date.

►When I enter Career Gate, I receive a notification saying "You have been added to the Talent Pool." What does this mean?

Before sending an offer, employers can add candidates they believe meet their criteria to a separate area called the "Talent Pool" for later re-evaluation. Adding to the talent pool doesn't mean you've been accepted into a program or received an offer, but it does indicate that your profile has caught the attention of an employer.

►When I enter Career Gate, I receive a notification saying "You Have Received an Offer." What does this mean?

Seeing a notification on Career Gate that you have “received an offer” or receiving this information via email means that an employer has deemed your profile suitable and made you an offer to participate in an internship, job shadowing or training program at their institution/organization.

You can view and evaluate the details and type of offer you have received on the "Offers I Have Received" page.

Employers can send offers in two forms: primary and reserve. Receiving an offer as a "primary" position indicates that you are the employer's top priority. Receiving an offer as a "reserve" position indicates that if a candidate who has been offered a "primary" position declines the offer for any reason, you will be selected as their replacement.

If you accept the offer within the specified timeframe, you will proceed to the "final stage." If you don't respond to the offer within the specified timeframe, it will expire. Even if you don't take any action, the offer will be deemed rejected due to the timeout. If you receive this notification and don't see any offers on the "Offers I've Received" page, you can view your received and pending offers by selecting "My Pending Offers" under the "Offer Type" filter. To avoid missing offers, you should check Career Gate and your email frequently.

►I received an offer under the National Internship Program, but I cannot view it. What should I do?

After logging in to the Career Gate-National Internship Program, you can view your received and pending offers by selecting "My Pending Offers" under the "Offer Type" heading on the "Offers I Have Received" page.

►Can I request changes to the date and city in the offer I received?

If the offer you receive is not suitable for you in terms of date or city, you can request a change by contacting the person responsible or the person who sent the offer in the "Offers I've Received" section on the left menu after logging into the National Internship Program through Career Gate. However, this does not guarantee that your change request will be accepted.

Please remember that employers offer this opportunity to many students like you and have created schedules to make it work most effectively. If your request to change dates or city is rejected, you can decline the offer.

►What is the next step after accepting the offer? How does the process proceed?

The vast majority of employers don't proceed with any additional steps after you accept the offer; they initiate the admission process (such as requesting a student ID or insurance document for internship programs). However, sometimes, depending on the position they're considering, employers may want to assess your skills and competencies through an online interview or other applications. This stage, which involves special circumstances, is called the "additional assessment stage," and the admission process begins after these stages are completed.

You can view the progress in the "Offers I've Received" section of the left-hand menu after logging into the National Internship Program on Career Gate. If the employer requests an online interview, you can track the progress in the "My Interviews" section of the left-hand menu.

National Internship Program 2025 -- How to Apply CLICK HERE