Helpful Links

Navigate OHIO

Connect With Us

College of Business
Copeland Hall
1 Ohio University
Athens OH 45701-2979
Two people review a document together.
Ohio Procurement Internship Program
Apply Now

Ohio Procurement Internship Program

Develop in-demand skills by completing an internship through an award-winning government contracting program! The Ohio Procurement Internship Program (OPIP) will help you gain hands-on experience and develop government procurement skills.

This program combines a specialized procurement course during the spring semester with a 13-week paid summer internship at an Ohio small business. The goal of the program is to help students gain hands-on experience in a niche professional field, while eligible Ohio companies receive trained support to navigate the complexities of government contracting.

Are you ready to join this award-winning program? Review the program highlights and eligibility, then submit your application!

What You Will Learn

  • Marketing

    You'll learn supply chain and procurement basics while helping an Ohio small business become a supplier to the government.

  • Forecasting

    You'll gain an understanding of government market analysis so you can stay ahead of government purchasing needs.

  • Contracting

    You'll study government language so you can write effective proposals.

Program Highlights, Eligibility & Application

Learn more about the program, including course and internship information, who is eligible to participate in OPIP and how to apply.

MGT 2210 – Government Procurement (3 Credits)

This spring semester class is offered on Fridays, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., and will cover topics such as:

  • Capability statements
  • Business certifications
  • Opportunity mining
  • RFP analysis
  • Proposal writing
  • Proposal review
  • Procurement strategies
  • Contract formation

Note: Please leave room in your spring schedule to accommodate this three-credit required course. The course start and end dates reflect Ohio University's spring semester calendar.

Summer Internship Placement

Students will be carefully evaluated during the spring semester course and matched accordingly with an Ohio small business focused on selling to government entities. Students then complete a full-time paid internship over the summer, gaining real-world experience that will help them compete and grow.

For participating students, the experience provides a straightforward route to career success. Many OHIO students have landed full-time job offers due to their standout performance as young professionals during the program.

This program is open to all OHIO students. Space in the program is limited. All applicants are carefully evaluated, and qualified candidates will be interviewed by the program director and the Ohio Department of Development prior to admittance to the program.

Application Evaluation Criteria for the Program

  • Graduate or undergraduate student
    • Must not be a graduating senior
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Have the capacity to complete a spring semester procurement course (3 credit hours)
  • Commitment to working full-time for 13 weeks in the summer
  • A valid driver's license and access to a car is preferred 

Application Process

  1. Complete all questions on the application.
  2. Complete and upload the required documents and supplemental materials
  3. Submit your completed application with required materials by October 10, 2026
  4. The College of Business will reach out to applicants 1-2 weeks after applications are submitted
  5. Applicants selected to advance to the next round in the interview process will receive instructions to schedule an interview

Application Materials

  • Updated Resume – Upload a current resume as a PDF attachment with your application. Since resumes will be used as a starting place for internship placements, make sure it accurately reflects your competence and experience in the best possible way.
  • Academic or professional reference – You will need to include their contact information (phone number and email address) and title.

Apply Now

The Ohio Procurement Internship Program began during the 2022-2023 school year when the Ohio Department of Development piloted the program in partnership with Youngstown State University. 

OPIP has served as the catalyst for many valuable milestones for Ohio small businesses and college students since then.