Contract templates · Hiring & Employment
Internships are where informal arrangements cause the most trouble: unpaid work that should have been paid, interns who create IP no one owns, and placements that drift on without an end date.
An internship agreement sets out the duration, schedule, learning objectives, supervision, stipend, confidentiality and IP terms of an internship. It helps show the placement is educational and protects the business's information and the intern's work product.
When you need one
- Taking on paid or unpaid interns
Key clauses in a Internship Agreement
These are the clauses the template includes, and what each one does for you.
Duration and schedule
Fixes start and end dates and weekly hours.
Learning objectives and supervision
Records what the intern will learn and who supervises them, which matters for unpaid placements.
Stipend and expenses
Sets any stipend, wage and reimbursable expenses.
Confidentiality
Keeps business information confidential.
IP in intern work
Confirms who owns content, code or designs the intern produces.
Termination
Lets either side end the placement early with notice.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Running unpaid internships that do productive work, which breaches minimum wage rules in the US, UK and much of the EU.
- Leaving IP ownership unclear for intern-built work.
- No end date, so the internship quietly becomes employment.
How to use the template
Download the Word file
Buy the Internship Agreement template on My Contract Lawyer and download the editable .docx straight after checkout.
Fill in the brackets
Add names, dates, fees, scope and governing law, and delete optional clauses that do not apply to your deal.
Check it against local law
Rules differ between US states, the UK and EU countries, especially for employment, consumer and property contracts. Have a lawyer review high-value or unusual deals.
Sign and keep a copy
Sign on paper or with any e-signature tool, and store the final version where both sides can find it.
Get the Internship Agreement template
Lawyer-drafted and ready to edit in Word, Google Docs or Pages. One-time payment of $19, no subscription, instant download from My Contract Lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Can internships be unpaid?
Only in narrow cases, such as course-required placements or where the intern is the primary beneficiary under US guidance. Many interns are legally workers entitled to minimum wage.
Do interns need to sign an NDA?
If they see client data, financials or product plans, yes, and the agreement's confidentiality clause covers it.
Who owns what an intern creates?
Without a written assignment the intern may own it, which is why the IP clause matters.
Related contract templates
Templates are a starting point, not legal advice, and using one does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Contract law differs between countries and states, so check the finished document against local law.