The Saltire Scholars Programme, delivered by Entrepreneurial Scotland, is set to return in 2026, offering students at Scottish universities the opportunity to secure fully funded or paid summer internships with leading organisations across the world.
, delivered by , is set to return in 2026, offering students at Scottish universities the opportunity to secure fully funded or paid summer internships with leading organisations across the world.
Open to full-time undergraduate students in their penultimate or final year of study, the programme goes beyond internships alone. It provides a year-long journey of personal and professional development, designed to help students unlock their potential, build employability skills, and prepare for their future careers.
Who is the programme for?
The Saltire Scholars Programme seeks ambitious students from all degree backgrounds and disciplines who aspire to make a difference. Unlike many other internship opportunities, applicants are assessed on their attributes and potential, not their academic record. This makes the programme accessible to students who are motivated to embrace challenges, grow their skills, and explore career pathways - both within and beyond their field of study.
What can students expect?
An Internship with impact
At the heart of the programme is the opportunity to secure an 8-12 week summer internship with a host company in Scotland, the UK or internationally in the USA, Canada, Australia or Europe. Interns work on projects of commercial significance across a range of industries and roles from business management, marketing, and finance, to engineering, life sciences and computer science. These experiences allow students to make a tangible impact whilst gaining practical industry knowledge.
Worldwide opportunities
Placements are offered both in-person and virtually across Scotland, the wider UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe. Students not only gain hands-on industry experience but also the chance to live and work in new environments, expand their professional networks and build the confidence and resilience needed for graduate success.
Accelerated personal development
The programme also includes a series of developmental opportunities from the moment students apply. This includes experience of:
Applying for a national internship programme
Engaging in an assessment centre featuring three diverse workshops
Gaining practice in CV & cover letter writing whilst applying for internship opportunities
Participating in interviews with both local and global organisations
Participating in a series of personal development workshops throughout the summer to further your employability once your internship is over.
Register Your Interest Now - Applications Open Now!
Students can now register their interest in the 2026 Saltire Scholars Programme. Applications open on Wednesday 17th September 2025.
Attend an Information Session Webinar
To help prospective applicants, Entrepreneurial Scotland will be hosting a series of online webinars in the lead-up to applications opening. These webinars will introduce the programme, outline the application process and provide tailored insights into different opportunities available for students across a range of degree backgrounds.