15 Paid Research Internships for Undergraduates
College students can benefit from internships by strengthening their resumes, developing job-ready skills, and gaining experience that makes them more competitive in the job market. Internships also help you test out a field before committing to a career path, build professional networks, and translate classroom learning into practical impact.
Why should I do a paid research internship as an undergraduate?
For students interested in research, internships are a powerful way to explore academic and industry research environments while developing skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving. These programs often provide mentorship from faculty or industry researchers, which can lead to strong letters of recommendation and clearer pathways to graduate school or research-focused roles. Research experience is also highly attractive to employers, as it demonstrates initiative, persistence, and the ability to work on complex, long-term projects.
To help you get started, we’ve narrowed down a list of the best paid research internships for undergraduates, ensuring that every opportunity offers meaningful experience. Here are 15 paid research internships for undergraduates!
1. Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)
Location: California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, CA
Cost/Stipend: $8,110 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~85% acceptance rate
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: June 16 – August 21
Eligibility: Continuing undergraduates with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (2.0 for Caltech students)
Modeled after a traditional grant process, the Caltech SURF program asks you to take an active role in shaping your research experience from start to finish. You will begin by developing and submitting a research proposal, then spend ten weeks carrying out the project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Throughout the program, you participate in weekly seminars, communication workshops, and group activities that support both your research and professional development. You are required to document your work through a technical report and share your results in an oral presentation at the end of the program. All projects are conducted on campus, and you are expected to commit full-time without enrolling in classes or holding outside jobs. The program is open to Caltech students and students from other institutions, with eligibility requirements that vary by applicant type.
2. Santa Fe Institute Undergraduate Complexity Research (UCR) Program
Location: Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Cost/Stipend: $7,000 stipend; housing, meals, and travel included
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small, selective cohort
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: May 31 – August 8
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates
The Undergraduate Complexity Research (UCR) program at the Santa Fe Institute offers undergraduates a full-time research experience focused on complex systems. You will work on a research project with guidance from mentors, either independently or as part of a small team, examining questions that draw from natural sciences, social sciences, and computation. Alongside your project, you participate in scheduled seminars and workshops that introduce approaches to cross-disciplinary research. The program provides housing in dormitories at the nearby Institute of American Indian Arts and covers major expenses such as travel and living costs. You spend the summer in a shared academic setting with other participants and researchers, creating regular opportunities for discussion and collaboration.
3. Yale Computer Science Remote Research Internship
Location: Virtual (remote participation available)
Cost/Stipend: Paid stipend commensurate with doctoral students (amount varies by project)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: December 15 for summer opportunities (rolling review)
Dates: Variable duration based on project needs
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in computer science or related fields; international students eligible for virtual positions
Yale’s Computer Science Research Internship Program offers remote research opportunities that continue to operate virtually. You will be paired with a faculty member based on your research interests and work on a project in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, or software systems. Many of the research tasks can be completed fully online, allowing you to participate regardless of location. During the program, you contribute to ongoing research efforts and take part in online seminars and group discussions. Depending on the project, your work may lead to inclusion in academic papers or technical reports. Remote positions are open to both U.S.-based and international undergraduate students.
4. Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute Summer Scholars (RISS) Program
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: Funding and scholarships are available; details vary by student
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 35-40 studentsApplication Deadline: January 21
Dates: June 1 – August 9
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students
The Robotics Institute Summer Scholars (RISS) program is an 11-week summer research opportunity at Carnegie Mellon University focused on robotics and artificial intelligence. You will work on a research project under the supervision of institute researchers and engage with labs within the Robotics Institute. In addition to project work, you participate in technical talks, workshops, and lab visits that introduce current research directions and methods. The program emphasizes communicating research results, requiring you to document your work in writing and present your findings to others. Your experience is designed to familiarize you with how research is conducted in advanced academic settings and to help you prepare for future graduate study. Many past participants have continued on to research-focused graduate programs and related fellowships.
5. UMBC NSF-REU in Online Interdisciplinary Big Data Analytics
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Paid NSF REU stipend (amount varies)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: February applications (check program website for specific dates)
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in STEM fields; U.S. citizens and permanent residents
UMBC’s fully online 8-week REU program offers a summer research experience focused on big data analytics in science and engineering. You will work with faculty mentors in mathematics and information systems to apply data science methods and high-performance computing techniques to real-world datasets from areas such as atmospheric science, mechanical engineering, and medicine. All components of the program — including research activities, seminars, and final presentations — are conducted virtually. Through this experience, you gain practical skills in computational analysis and learn how to approach complex, data-driven problems in a research setting.
6. Harvard Remote Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Location: Virtual or hybrid options
Cost/Stipend: Varies by project and lab; many positions are paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies based on role
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Dates: Flexible duration based on project needs
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in relevant scientific fields
Harvard provides a range of remote undergraduate research opportunities across several departments, including partnerships with medical affiliates such as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital. You will work with faculty and research teams on projects in areas like artificial intelligence for thoracic surgery, biomolecular engineering, and genome-scale modeling using large language models. Your responsibilities may include data analysis, literature reviews, software development, and drafting scientific reports. Depending on the project, you may also have the opportunity to contribute to peer-reviewed publications. The program provides practical experience in computational biology, AI/ML applications, and biomedical research while collaborating with active researchers in the field.
7. USC Institute for Creative Technologies REU Program
Location: University of Southern California, Playa Vista, CA
Cost/Stipend: $8,650 stipend, travel reimbursement up to $600, free housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small annual cohort
Application Deadline: January 31
Dates: June 1 – August 6
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in an undergraduate program
USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies hosts an NSF-funded REU that allows undergraduates to conduct research on intelligent virtual experiences. You will join a lab team working on projects such as dialogue systems, virtual humans, machine learning, tutoring systems, or generative AI for simulations. Throughout the program, you receive guidance from faculty mentors, participate in seminars, and present your findings at the end of the summer. The program integrates academic research with insights from the entertainment and gaming industries, giving you experience in an interdisciplinary environment focused on human-computer interaction.
8. UC Berkeley Amgen Scholars Program
Location: University of California, Berkeley
Cost/Stipend: $5,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective national cohort
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: June 8 – August 14
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; enrolled in a four-year U.S. college as a sophomore, junior, or non-graduating senior; GPA ≥ 3.2; interest in a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.
In the UC Berkeley Amgen Scholars Program, you spend ten weeks conducting research under the supervision of a faculty mentor in science or biotechnology. You will work alongside a group of fellow undergraduates and gain experience in areas such as bioengineering, neurobiology, computational biology, and plant sciences. Your project may involve topics in biophysics, genetics, molecular medicine, or microbiology. Over the course of the program, you present your findings through posters and oral presentations, and participate in a symposium at UCLA, with travel and expenses covered. You also earn course credit and receive a certificate of completion. Housing is provided on campus, giving you access to Berkeley’s research facilities, labs, and social events throughout the summer.
9. Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) — DOE
Location: Virtual and select hybrid projects
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($600–$750/week, varies)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: October 1 for the spring term; January 7 for the summer term
Dates: 10 weeks, multiple cohorts (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: US citizens or LPRs; undergraduates in STEM majors; 3.0 GPA minimum
The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program places you at one of 17 U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories for a paid research experience. You will work full-time under the supervision of a research scientist in areas such as physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, computer science, or environmental science. While most internships are conducted in person, remote options have been available since 2020 and may still be offered depending on the lab and project. During the program, you contribute to ongoing research, participate in seminars, and complete deliverables including a research report, abstract, and poster presentation. This experience provides hands-on exposure to laboratory research and collaborative scientific work.
10. Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) — Purdue University
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Cost/Stipend: $4,500 stipend; paid travel, on-campus housing, and meals provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; highly competitive
Application Deadline: February 10 (Letters of Recommendation due March 10)
Dates: June 7 – July 31
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a 3.0+ GPA; must have completed at least two semesters of undergraduate study and have at least one semester remaining
Purdue’s Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) offers an eight-week, full-time research experience for undergraduates interested in graduate study. You will work on a project led by a faculty member and gain access to Purdue’s research facilities and resources. In addition to your project, you participate in workshops, networking sessions, and a campus-wide research symposium. The program is open to students from any major and emphasizes preparation for Master’s or Ph.D. programs. You receive guidance through structured mentoring, engage with a cohort of peers, and take part in social activities throughout the summer. The program is fully funded, covering your travel, housing, and a stipend. As a participant in the Big Ten Academic Alliance, your application can be considered by up to nine institutions within the consortium.
11. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), Stanford University
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $6,000 + travel, housing, and meals fully covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 14 positions
Application Deadline: February 3
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Eligibility: Must be 18+ and enrolled full-time in a U.S. or U.S. territory institution; minimum 3.0 GPA
Stanford Engineering’s SURF program offers a fully funded summer research experience for undergraduates, working alongside a cohort of 30–35 students from around the world. You will conduct research in one of Stanford’s nine engineering departments under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The program also provides resources such as GRE preparation, graduate school workshops, and a research symposium. You live on campus for the duration of the program and have opportunities to explore the Bay Area while participating in community events with your peers. SURF is designed to support students preparing for a Ph.D. in engineering, particularly those from underrepresented or limited-resource backgrounds. International students enrolled at U.S. institutions may also apply if they meet the program’s first-generation or low-income eligibility requirements.
12. Microsoft Research Undergraduate Research Internship
Location: Remote and in-person (applicants can specify virtual modality)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; full stipend (amount varies)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Currently closed
Dates: 12 weeks, May – August
Eligibility: Rising juniors/seniors in computing, engineering, or related majors with programming or social science research background; US undergraduates
The Microsoft Research Undergraduate Research Internship is a 12-week, paid summer program for advanced undergraduates studying computer science, engineering, or related fields. You will join a research team at one of Microsoft’s U.S. labs and contribute to projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, health technologies, hardware, or human-computer interaction. During the internship, you collaborate with researchers, postdoctoral fellows, engineers, and designers. Meetings and project work may take place both in person and through remote platforms, depending on the team and project needs.
13. NIH Virtual Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual (fully remote, U.S. citizens and permanent residents)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; Varies by institute and education level ($3,600–$4,000)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: February 18
Dates: 8 weeks, typically late May – mid-July
Eligibility: Undergraduates enrolled full-time in a bachelor’s program; must have completed at least one year of study; GPA ≥3.0; U.S. citizens or LPRs
The NIH Virtual Summer Internship Program allows you to work remotely with mentors from any of the 27 NIH institutes and centers. You will participate in ongoing biomedical research projects in fields such as molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, or clinical science. Each week, you attend online seminars on topics such as research ethics, grant writing, and career development. At the conclusion of the program, you prepare an abstract and present your findings in a virtual poster session.
14. ACCESS Summer Research Program — Weill Cornell Medicine
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City
Cost/Stipend: Free; with housing. Stipend of $6,000 + up to $500 travel allowance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified (via Leadership Alliance SR-EIP portal)
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Eligibility: U.S. citizen/permanent resident; full-time undergrad with 2 semesters completed and 1 remaining
The ACCESS program provides a fully funded, nine-week summer research experience for undergraduates planning to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences. You will work in a lab under the guidance of faculty mentors on projects in areas such as molecular biology, neuroscience, or computational medicine. In addition to lab work, you participate in journal clubs, research seminars, and workshops focused on graduate school preparation. You present your research at both a campus symposium and the Leadership Alliance National Symposium, receiving feedback from faculty and peers. The program also includes community-building activities in New York City. It is open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled full-time at a U.S. college, with preference for students who have a clear research interest and at least one semester remaining after the summer.
15. ACEE Summer Internship Program — Princeton University
Location: On-campus or off-campus with a non-profit partner (Princeton-supported)
Cost/Stipend: Weekly stipend + research/travel budget if applicable
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: January 12
Program Dates: 8–10 weeks (Summer)
Eligibility: Open to Princeton first-years, sophomores, and juniors; students must not be on leave during the academic year
Princeton’s summer internship offers a paid research experience for undergraduates interested in energy and environmental topics. Over 8–10 weeks, you will work on projects that may be applied, computational, or field-based, either in a Princeton lab or with a partner nonprofit, in line with the Andlinger Center’s focus. You have the option to propose your own research project and request funding to support it. The program spans engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences, giving you the opportunity to study sustainability from multiple perspectives. Your work may involve renewable energy, climate adaptation, or other environmental challenges.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship program where you work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup. Apply now!
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