Kleiner Perkins Fellows
by Kleiner Perkins
The Kleiner Perkins Fellows program places top engineering and design students at KP portfolio companies for a summer internship. Fellows gain hands-on startup experience and join a prestigious alumni network of tech leaders.
Apply NowPaid internship (competitive salary)
12 weeks (summer)
United States
Must be a current undergraduate or graduate student studying computer science, engineering, design, or a related field. Must be authorized to work in the United States. Must be available for a 12-week summer internship.
Annual (winter applications for summer program)
7/11/2026
About This Fellowship
The Kleiner Perkins Fellows program is one of the most prestigious internship programs in Silicon Valley. Run by legendary venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins, the program selects exceptional engineering and design students and places them at top KP portfolio companies for a summer internship. What makes the program special is the combination of hands-on startup experience with the broader KP community and network.
Fellows are not placed at just any company — they are matched with some of the most exciting startups in the KP portfolio, working on meaningful projects alongside experienced engineering and design teams. Past host companies have included firms across AI, enterprise software, consumer tech, and climate. The matching process considers both the fellow's interests and skills and the company's needs.
Beyond the internship itself, KP Fellows gain lifetime access to a powerful alumni network that includes founders, CTOs, and design leaders at major tech companies. The program has been running for over a decade and its alumni have gone on to found companies, lead engineering teams at FAANG companies, and become venture capitalists themselves. Many fellows describe the KP community as one of the most valuable professional networks they have ever joined.
What You Get
A world-class internship experience combined with the prestige and network of Kleiner Perkins.
- Paid summer internship at a top KP portfolio company (12 weeks)
- Competitive salary commensurate with top tech internships
- Curated matching based on your skills, interests, and career goals
- Weekly programming with KP partners, portfolio founders, and fellow fellows
- Exclusive events, dinners, and workshops throughout the summer
- Lifetime access to the KP Fellows alumni network (1,000+ members)
- Mentorship from KP investors and portfolio company executives
How to Apply
The KP Fellows application is competitive, selecting roughly 50-80 fellows from thousands of applicants.
- Apply online through the KP Fellows website in January
- Application includes resume, portfolio (for designers), and short essays
- Strong emphasis on demonstrated technical or design skills
- Side projects, open-source contributions, and hackathon wins are valued
- Phone or video interviews with the KP Fellows team
- Final selections made by March for the following summer
- Engineering and design tracks have separate application processes
Who Should Apply
The program is designed for top students who are passionate about technology and want exposure to the startup ecosystem.
- Current undergraduate or graduate students in CS, engineering, or design
- Must be authorized to work in the United States
- Strong builders — people who create things outside of class
- Interest in startups and venture-backed companies
- Prior internship experience is helpful but not required
- Applicants from all US universities are welcome (not limited to top-10 schools)
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Frequently asked questions
How much funding does the KP Fellows provide?
Kleiner Perkins Fellows provides Paid internship (competitive salary). The program runs for 12 weeks (summer).
When is the KP Fellows application deadline?
Applications follow this cycle: Annual (winter applications for summer program).
Who is eligible for the KP Fellows?
Must be a current undergraduate or graduate student studying computer science, engineering, design, or a related field. Must be authorized to work in the United States. Must be available for a 12-week summer internship. Geographic scope: United States.
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