Employment Template
Free Internship Agreement Template
An internship agreement formalises the terms of an internship including duration, stipend, and learning objectives.
Template
Copy this markdown, replace the {{variables}}, and send via API.
# Internship Agreement
**Company:** {{companyName}}
**Intern:** {{internName}}
**Date:** {{date}}
## Position
{{positionTitle}} in the {{department}} department.
## Duration
{{startDate}} to {{endDate}}
## Compensation
{{stipendOrUnpaid}}
## Schedule
{{schedule}}
## Learning Objectives
{{learningObjectives}}
## Supervisor
{{supervisorName}}, {{supervisorTitle}}
## Confidentiality
Intern agrees to maintain confidentiality of all proprietary information.Send for e-signature
curl -X POST https://signb.ee/api/send \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"content": "YOUR_RENDERED_MARKDOWN",
"senderName": "Your Name",
"senderEmail": "you@company.com",
"recipientName": "Recipient",
"recipientEmail": "recipient@email.com"
}'What happens next
- Signbee converts the markdown to a professional PDF
- Recipient gets an email with a signing link
- Both parties sign with an animated handwriting signature
- Both receive the signed PDF with a SHA-256 certificate
All signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act, eIDAS, and ECA.
More details
An internship agreement protects both the company and the intern by setting clear expectations for the placement. Without one, disputes over compensation, intellectual property, and the nature of the relationship are common — and potentially expensive.
Paid vs unpaid internships — the legal minefield: In the US, the Department of Labor uses a 'primary beneficiary' test with seven factors to determine if an internship can be unpaid. If the company is the primary beneficiary of the intern's work, they must be paid at least minimum wage. In the UK, interns who perform regular work are entitled to National Minimum Wage regardless of what the agreement says. The EU varies by country but trends toward mandatory compensation.
Key factors that make an unpaid internship legal (US): - The intern understands there is no expectation of pay - Training is similar to an educational environment - The internship benefits the intern primarily - The intern does not displace regular employees - There is no guarantee of a job at the end - The internship is tied to formal education or academic credit
Essential internship agreement clauses: 1. Duration — Fixed start and end dates. Open-ended internships risk being reclassified as employment. 2. Learning objectives — Specific skills the intern will develop. This is critical for unpaid internships to demonstrate educational benefit. 3. Supervision — Named supervisor and mentoring commitment. Unsupervised interns performing routine work look like unpaid employees. 4. Schedule — Hours per week and flexibility. Many jurisdictions limit intern hours. 5. Compensation — If paid, state the stipend amount and payment frequency. If unpaid, explain the educational basis. 6. Intellectual property — Who owns work product created during the internship? This should be explicit. 7. Confidentiality — Interns access sensitive information. Bind them to the same confidentiality standards as employees. 8. Termination — Either party should be able to end the internship with reasonable notice (typically 1-2 weeks).
Best practice: Even if unpaid, provide something of value — a reference letter, portfolio-worthy work, genuine mentoring, or academic credit coordination. Internships that provide nothing in return are increasingly scrutinised by regulators and courts.
Frequently asked questions
Can internships be unpaid?
It depends on jurisdiction. In the US, unpaid internships must primarily benefit the intern (educational value), not the company. In the UK, interns performing regular work must be paid at least minimum wage. Always check local employment law before offering unpaid positions.
Do interns need to sign an agreement?
Yes. A written internship agreement protects both parties by clarifying duration, compensation, learning objectives, IP ownership, and confidentiality obligations. Without one, the relationship may be reclassified as employment with full legal protections and back-pay liability.
Can internship agreements be signed electronically?
Yes. Internship agreements are valid with electronic signatures under ESIGN (US), eIDAS (EU), and ECA (UK). Send the agreement before the internship starts and get it signed remotely — especially useful for remote internships.
Related resources
Send this template for signing — free, no credit card.