Applying

Cold email to HR for an internship

6 copy-ready templatesUpdated 21 October 2026

Many internships, especially at startups and smaller firms, are never posted on a portal. They go to students who write in at the right time with a clear ask. A cold email to HR or a team lead works when it states exactly what you want — the role, the duration, your dates — and points to one piece of work that shows you can contribute from the first week.

The samples below are written for Indian college students looking for summer internships, six-month final-semester internships, non-tech roles and remote work during term. Each one keeps to a format a busy person can read on a phone. Attach your resume as a PDF, add a project, GitHub or portfolio link, and mention if your college needs an internship letter.

When to send it

Start writing two to three months before your break; many companies finalise intern intake well before the semester ends.
For a six-month internship, confirm your college's dates first so you can give an exact start and end date.
Send on a working-day morning, when the reader is at their desk.
Follow up once after 5–7 working days. If there is still no reply, try another person at the same company rather than emailing the same person again.

Templates

1Summer internship (technical role)

SubjectSummer Internship Request – [Role] – [Your Name], [College]

Dear [HR Name], I am a [Year]-year [Degree] student at [College], and I am looking for a summer internship as a [Role] from [Start Date] to [End Date] ([Duration]). I have been working with [Skill 1] and [Skill 2], and recently built [project — one line on what it does and how many people used it, if any]: [Project Link]. I would be glad to work on [area your team works on, e.g. backend APIs or test automation]. I am open to a stipend as per your internship policy and can work from [City / remote]. My resume is attached. Could we have a short call if there is an opening? Thank you for your time. Regards, [Your Name] [Degree], [College], [Graduation Year] [Phone] | [Email] [LinkedIn / GitHub / Portfolio URL]

2Startup internship (to a founder or team lead)

SubjectCan I Help With [Specific Area] This Summer? – [Your Name]

Hi [First Name], I am a [Degree] student at [College] and a regular user of [Product]. I noticed [specific observation, e.g. that the onboarding flow does not support Hindi], and I would love to spend [Duration] as an intern helping with [specific area]. Relevant work: [project or prior internship, one line], [Link] I am available from [Start Date] and can work [full time / X hours a week], in person in [City] or remotely. My resume is attached. Happy to take a short task first if that helps you decide. Regards, [Your Name] [Degree], [College], [Graduation Year] [Phone] | [Email] [LinkedIn / GitHub / Portfolio URL]

3Six-month final-semester internship

SubjectSix-Month Internship Request – [Role] – [Your Name], [College]

Dear [HR Name], I am a final-year [Degree] student at [College]. Our programme includes a six-month industry internship from [Start Date] to [End Date], and I would like to apply for a [Role] internship at [Company] for this period. Over the last year I have [project, prior internship or certification relevant to the role]. I am keen to work on [area] and to stay on full time after graduation if the fit is right. My college will need an internship offer letter on company letterhead with the dates mentioned. My resume is attached. Thank you for considering my application. Regards, [Your Name] [Degree], [College], [Graduation Year] [Phone] | [Email] [LinkedIn / GitHub / Portfolio URL]

4Non-tech internship (marketing, finance, HR or operations)

SubjectInternship Application – [Marketing / Finance / HR] – [Your Name]

Dear [HR Name], I am a [Year]-year [Degree] student at [College], and I would like to apply for a [Function] internship at [Company] from [Start Date] for [Duration]. At college, I [relevant experience, e.g. ran Instagram for our cultural fest and grew its following / managed the finance club's budget sheet]. I am comfortable with [Tool 1] and [Tool 2], and I have attached a short sample of my work: [Link]. I am available [full time / part time] in [City] or remotely, and open to a stipend as per your policy. My resume is attached. I would be grateful for a chance to speak with you. Regards, [Your Name] [Degree], [College], [Graduation Year] [Phone] | [Email] [LinkedIn / GitHub / Portfolio URL]

5Remote or part-time internship during term

SubjectRemote Part-Time Internship – [Role] – [Your Name]

Dear [Name], I am a [Year]-year [Degree] student at [College] looking for a remote, part-time [Role] internship during the semester. I can commit [X] hours a week for [Duration], with more time during [exam break / holidays]. Recent work: [project, freelance task or open-source contribution], [Link] I am used to working asynchronously and sharing short daily updates. If you have a defined piece of work that a part-time intern could own, I would be glad to take it on. My resume is attached. Thank you for your time. Regards, [Your Name] [Degree], [College], [Graduation Year] [Phone] | [Email] [LinkedIn / GitHub / Portfolio URL]

6Follow-up to an internship email

SubjectRe: Summer Internship Request – [Role] – [Your Name], [College]

Dear [HR Name], I am following up on my email of [Date] about a [Role] internship from [Start Date]. I remain very keen on the opportunity at [Company]. Since then, I have [one small update, e.g. completed a project on X / earned a certification in Y]: [Link]. If there is no opening this cycle, I would be grateful if you could keep my resume for future intakes. Thank you. Regards, [Your Name] [Degree], [College], [Graduation Year] [Phone] | [Email] [LinkedIn / GitHub / Portfolio URL]

Do

State the exact role, start date, end date and whether you can work in person or remotely.
Link to one project, GitHub repository or work sample that relates to the role.
Write to the person who would manage you where possible, with HR in CC if you have the address.
Mention any college requirement, such as an internship letter, once the company shows interest.
Keep the email to around 150 words so it can be read on a phone.

Don't

Do not open with 'Respected Sir/Madam' when you know the person's name.
Do not send the same untouched email to dozens of companies.
Do not ask 'Do you have any internships?' without saying what you want to do.
Do not attach large files or zip folders; share links instead.
Do not offer to work without any agreement on dates, tasks and a letter at the end.

Frequently asked questions

Who should I send an internship cold email to — HR or the team?

At larger companies, the HR or campus hiring team usually runs internships, so write to them and mention the team you want. At startups and small firms, the founder, team lead or engineering manager often decides directly, so a short email to them with HR in CC works well. Use LinkedIn and the company website to find the right person.

Should I mention a stipend in my internship email?

You do not need to name a figure in a cold email. A line such as 'I am open to a stipend as per your internship policy' shows you are serious without starting a negotiation. If the company asks for your expectation later, research what similar companies in your city pay interns and give a reasonable range.

What can I write if I have no experience?

Use projects, coursework, college clubs, competitions or freelance work as your evidence. One concrete line — what you built or did and what came of it — is worth more than a list of skills. Add a link so the reader can check it in a minute. Enthusiasm for the company's product, stated specifically, also helps.

Do I need an NOC from my college for an internship?

Some colleges ask for a no-objection certificate, or for a letter from the company, before they allow a semester internship or give credits for it. Check your college's rules first. If you need one, mention it politely once the company shows interest, and ask whether they can issue an internship letter on letterhead with your dates.

How many companies should I send internship emails to?

Quality matters more than volume. A short list of companies whose work genuinely interests you, each with a personalised line, usually gets more replies than a mass mailer. Keep a simple tracker with the company, the person, the date you wrote and the date you followed up, so you do not email anyone twice by mistake.