14 Microbiology Internships for Undergraduates
If you are an undergraduate student interested in microbiology, an internship can be a worthwhile way to explore this field. Internships provide exposure to professional environments, industry standards, and workplace expectations. Through laboratory research, technical assignments, data analysis, and collaborative projects, you gain insight into how scientific work is conducted. You will become familiar with research protocols, documentation practices, compliance requirements, and team-based workflows that define professional settings. These experiences allow you to strengthen your scientific communication and analytical skills. For students interested in microbiology, internships offer opportunities to work with microbial systems, laboratory instrumentation, biosafety procedures, and clinical or industry-focused research processes.
Why should I do a microbiology internship in college?
A microbiology internship allows you to apply concepts such as microbial genetics, immunology, and laboratory diagnostics in research or industry environments. You may assist with culturing microorganisms, analyzing biological samples, maintaining laboratory documentation, or supporting experimental protocols under supervision. This exposure strengthens your technical proficiency while helping you understand laboratory compliance, safety standards, and data integrity requirements. Internships also help to expand your professional network by connecting you with principal investigators, laboratory managers, and research teams who may later serve as mentors or references. Employers and graduate programs value candidates who demonstrate laboratory experience, making internships a critical factor in improving your employment prospects after graduation. By completing a microbiology internship, you demonstrate readiness for advanced study, research roles, or positions in biotechnology, healthcare, or public health sectors.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 14 microbiology internships for undergraduates.
1. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25% | around 100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort – spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week, fully virtual internship that connects undergraduate students with companies for project-based work aligned with their academic interests. Students studying microbiology can pursue projects in biotechnology, health technology, life sciences research, or scientific analysis, depending on the host organization’s availability. You work on defined deliverables for a partner company while contributing to ongoing team initiatives through structured project tasks. Throughout the program, you meet regularly with a manager or mentor who reviews your progress and offers feedback on your work. The remote format of the internship allows you to complete research, data analysis, literature review, or science-focused assignments online. Apply now!
2. NIH Summer Internship Program
Location: Bethesda, Maryland, Baltimore, North Carolina, and other locations across the U.S
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $3,010 - $3,310, depending on the program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 12 weeks starting in May or June
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, or graduates who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 18 years old
NIH Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research (SIP) offers undergraduate students to work on biomedical and microbiology-related research projects within the National Institutes of Health laboratories. You will contribute to laboratory work, data analysis, literature reviews, and experimental documentation under the supervision of NIH scientists and research staff. Assignments vary depending on the placement and may include molecular biology techniques, microbial culture, or computational data processing, depending on the lab’s focus area. Mentors provide training in laboratory procedures, research methods, and scientific communication. You also participate in research group meetings and may contribute to progress reports or summaries related to your assigned tasks. The program connects you with researchers across multiple NIH institutes and research centers.
3. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) – Undergraduate Research Program (URP)
Location: Cold Spring Harbor, New York
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $5,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 8 - August 8
Application Deadline: March 15th
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate scientists worldwide
The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Undergraduate Research Program is a ten-week, full-time summer research internship that allows undergraduate students to conduct laboratory research in the life sciences domain. You will join a research lab and work on an ongoing project in fields such as molecular biology, genetics, neuroscience, quantitative biology, or plant biology. Throughout the program, you conduct experiments, analyze data, and participate in regular lab meetings alongside scientists and graduate researchers. You contribute to the daily research workflow of your assigned laboratory while receiving guidance from a faculty mentor. The program also includes scientific seminars and discussions introducing current research topics and methodologies. At the conclusion of the internship, you present your research findings at a laboratory-wide research symposium.
4. UC Berkeley – NSF REU in Molecular & Cell Biology and Integrative Biology
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: Competitive stipend offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 30 - 40 graduate students
Dates: June 3 and August 9
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are United States citizens or permanent residents and who have completed at least one course in biology and one in chemistry before applying
The NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in cell, developmental, and evolutionary biology, hosted by the University of California, is a ten-week summer research internship providing undergraduate students with full-time laboratory research experience in the life sciences. The program assigns interns to a faculty-led lab where they complete an individual research project in areas such as molecular biology, cell biology, plant and microbial biology, or evolutionary biology. You will perform experiments, collect and interpret data, and participate in regular lab meetings as part of the research team. Throughout the internship, you work with faculty mentors, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers while using campus laboratory facilities and equipment. The program includes research seminars and discussions focused on current scientific questions and methodologies. At the conclusion of the program, you prepare a research abstract and present your findings at a closing symposium.
5. Syracuse University – NSF REU in Biological Microscopy (MicroFFABS)
Location: Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York
Cost/Stipend: Competitive stipend offered; exact amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 1 - August 7
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are United States citizens or permanent residents who have completed at least their freshman year in a STEM major and will not graduate before Spring
The NSF REU Site MicroFFABS (Microscopy to Understand Form and Function Across Biological Scales) is a ten-week summer research internship focused on microscopy-driven biological research. You work in a laboratory research environment where you conduct hands-on projects using microscopy techniques to study biological structure and function across scales, from molecules to whole organisms. Research areas include molecular biology, organismal biology, and cellular imaging using models such as cell cultures, zebrafish, poplar trees, and mice. You collect and analyze experimental data, use advanced imaging tools, and explore how biological formation relates to function through hands-on investigation. The internship runs during the summer and is designed to support undergraduate students who have limited access to research opportunities at their home institutions.
6. SUMMIR – Supporting Undergraduate Members in Microbiology & Immunology
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore
Stipend: $6,000 subsistence allowance and $500 travel allowance for out-of-state students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer | exact dates yet to be disclosed
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are United States citizens or permanent residents who have completed at least their freshman year in a STEM major and will not graduate before Spring
The SUMMIR Program is a ten-week summer research internship that provides undergraduates with laboratory-based experience in microbiology and immunology. Hosted by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the program begins with an orientation to laboratory techniques and research methods before transitioning into a mentored research project. You work in a microbiology or immunology laboratory, conduct experiments, and analyze data under the supervision of faculty and research staff. Throughout the internship, you participate in laboratory meetings and contribute to ongoing research activities within your assigned laboratory. The program also includes seminars and professional development sessions focused on scientific communication and research pathways. Interns conclude the experience by presenting their research findings in a formal presentation.
7. REU in Microbiology at the Host-Pathogen Interface – University of Iowa
Location: University of Iowa, Iowa City
Cost/Stipend: $7,000 stipend plus a $1,300 supplement for food and other living expenses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 students each year
Dates: May 25 to July 31
Application Deadline: February 23rd
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are United States citizens or permanent residents who have completed at least two years of college | are majoring in a biological science, and who will be returning for at least one semester of undergraduate study before graduation
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Microbiology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine is a ten-week, summer research internship that provides undergraduates with full-time laboratory experience in microbiology and related biomedical fields. The program places participants in a faculty-led laboratory where they complete an individual research project. Depending on your assigned laboratory,you will conduct experiments related to microbial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, genetics, or molecular biology. Throughout the summer, you collect and analyze data, attend laboratory meetings, and contribute to ongoing research initiatives. The program includes weekly seminars and discussions that address microbiology research topics and academic pathways in the biomedical sciences. The program concludes with a poster session where interns present their research findings.
8. MDI Biological Laboratory REU Summer Fellowships
Location: Bar Harbor, Maine
Cost/Stipend: $7,000 stipend, travel assistance, and full coverage of housing and meal plan
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: May 18 - July 24
Application Deadline: November 4th
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are United States citizens who do not have prior undergraduate degrees and are eligible for fellowships
The REU Summer Fellowships at MDI Biological Laboratory are ten-week summer research internships that provide undergraduate students to conduct full-time scientific research in the biological sciences. You will work on a research project focused on comparative regenerative biology and aging using animal models such as zebrafish, nematodes, killifish, or axolotls, and laboratory tools such as microscopy and bioinformatics. In addition to research, you participate in scientific communication coursework and workshops that develop skills in data interpretation, technical writing, and research presentation. You collaborate with faculty mentors and laboratory staff, work alongside other undergraduate fellows and scientists, and use the laboratory’s core research facilities and resources. The program concludes in a summer science symposium where you present your findings to the broader scientific community.
9. Michigan Medicine Summer Medical Lab Immersion
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 1 - July 31
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students who have at least 100 hours of experience in a research lab by June
The Summer Medical Laboratory Immersion Internship at the University of Michigan Health System Department of Pathology is a six-week, full-time clinical laboratory internship that introduces undergraduates to diagnostic testing in a hospital-based laboratory environment. The program allows you to support laboratory workflows related to patient diagnostics and rotate through multiple laboratory sections, which may include microbiology. You observe specimen processing, culture preparation, organism identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. In addition to laboratory observation, you assist with pre-analytic and analytic procedures and become familiar with laboratory information systems used in clinical practice. The internship also includes shadowing opportunities that show how diagnostic data supports treatment decisions.
10. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Location: HHMI's Janelia Research Campus in Ashburn, Virginia
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 15 - August 14
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited US institution
The HHMI Cech Fellows Program is a nine-week summer research internship that provides undergraduate students with full-time laboratory research experience in the biological sciences. You will be placed in a laboratory led by scientists affiliated with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, where you will contribute to research projects in areas such as cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, or related life science fields. During the internship, you work as part of a research team to conduct experiments, analyze data, and document your findings. The program includes seminars and professional development sessions focused on scientific communication and research skills.
11. West Virginia University Immunology & Medical Microbiology Research Internship
Location: WVU Health Sciences Center in Morgantown, WV
Cost/Stipend: Stipend offered | exact amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: May 22 - July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in the Immunology and Medical Microbiology program at West Virginia University
The Immunology and Medical Microbiology Undergraduate Research Internship Program at West Virginia University School of Medicine is a multi-year research internship that allows undergraduates the opportunity to work in a research laboratory. You join a research group after your sophomore year and continue through your junior and senior years, developing and conducting an independent project under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Research areas include microbiology, infectious diseases, immunology, neuroimmunology, vaccinology, cancer cell biology, and molecular biology. Over the duration of the program, you collect and analyze experimental data, troubleshoot research methods, and contribute to the progress of your laboratory's research efforts.
12. Miami University Undergraduate Summer Scholars & Hughes Internships
Location: Oxford, Ohio
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $7000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 15 to August 14
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed at least their first year
The Undergraduate Summer Scholars program is a ten-week summer research internship that provides undergraduates to conduct full-time research under the guidance of a faculty mentor at Miami University. You identify a research question or project aligned with your academic interest, including microbiology, molecular biology, or related life science areas, and work with a faculty member on the project over the summer. Throughout the internship, you conduct laboratory work, analyze data, and document your results as part of the research process. You also participate in workshops and seminars that focus on research skills such as scientific writing, presentation, and data interpretation. The program concludes with a research symposium where you present your findings to the campus community.
13. Columbia University – Amgen Scholars Program
Location: Columbia University, New York
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 10 weeks, generally starting from late May to early August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students at a four-year college or university in the United States, Puerto Rico, or other US territory who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Amgen Scholars Program is a ten-week summer research internship that provides undergraduates with full-time laboratory experience in the biological sciences. At Columbia University, the program places interns in faculty-led research laboratories where they complete individual research projects in areas such as molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or microbiology-related disciplines. You will conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and participate in lab meetings as part of the active research team. Throughout the program, you attend scientific seminars and research discussions led by faculty and visiting scientists. Interns prepare written and oral presentations and present their research at the conclusion of the summer.
14. Radiological Sciences Laboratory Internship Projects
Location: Lucas Center for Imaging and the Stanford Research Park
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 23 - August 29
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: Stanford undergraduates who will not have graduated by the beginning of the program
The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in the Radiological Sciences Laboratory at Stanford University School of Medicine is a ten-week summer research internship offering undergraduates full-time research experience in biomedical imaging and quantitative analysis. Interns work on projects that combine imaging science with biological and medical research. From a microbiology perspective, you may contribute to imaging-based studies of infection models, cellular responses, or tissue-level changes associated with microbial disease. You apply data analysis methods, imaging technologies, and computational tools to investigate biological processes relevant to health and disease. Throughout the internship, you collaborate with faculty mentors and research teams and participate in lab meetings and research discussions. At the end of the program, you present your findings in a formal research presentation or poster session.
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