15 STEM Internships for Undergraduates in Connecticut
Internships allow college students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom while building practical skills that strengthen their resumes. By working in a professional setting, you will gain experience with industry tools, research methods, and collaborative workflows that are common in your field of interest. Internships can also improve your employability by helping you develop technical abilities, communication skills, and a clearer understanding of how organizations operate. If you’re an undergraduate student pursuing a STEM field, internships can introduce you to different career paths beyond what you typically see in coursework or labs.
Why should I do a STEM internship in college?
Through a STEM internship, you will get to work alongside scientists, engineers, technicians, and research staff while learning how technical projects are planned and carried out. This exposure can help you build relevant experience before graduation and understand how your academic training connects to professional STEM work, increasing your employability odds. STEM internships in Connecticut span research laboratories, engineering companies, environmental agencies, manufacturing organizations, and marine science institutions. These opportunities may involve assisting with laboratory experiments, conducting physiological monitoring studies, supporting engineering tests, analyzing scientific data, or contributing to wildlife conservation and public science programs.
To make your search easier, we’ve narrowed down a list of 15 STEM internships for undergraduates in Connecticut.
1. NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium (CTSGC) Sponsored Internship Opportunities
Location: Companies and organizations across Connecticut
Stipend: Minimum $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size may vary based on the internship
Dates: Minimum 10 weeks in the summer, fall, and spring
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27; Fall: May 22; Spring: Mid-October
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are enrolled full-time at an affiliated academic institution, have completed at least one semester of college, are U.S. citizens, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or a strong academic record
In this internship, you will work for at least 10 weeks alongside professionals on technical or research-focused initiatives such as additive manufacturing using polymer and metal 3D printers, asteroid occlusion observations, or laboratory research related to cardiovascular drug discovery. You may assist with activities like preparing laboratory samples, collecting and organizing research data, operating specialized engineering equipment, or supporting engineering documentation and process improvement efforts. Some placements may even involve community-facing work, such as helping train younger students in observational astronomy or supporting educational outreach initiatives.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 10%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is a fully virtual, eight-week program that pairs you with fast-growing global startups for hands-on STEM experience. You can explore topics like artificial intelligence, machine learning, software engineering, environmental science, and healthcare technology. During your internship, you will define a project with startup founders, build technical deliverables, track your progress in weekly check-ins, and present a final solution to a real business challenge. A uniquely helpful feature of this program is its dual-mentorship structure, giving you structured feedback from both a startup manager and an internal Ladder coach. By the end, you will learn essential skills in technical problem-solving, professional communication, time management, and understanding real-world business operations. Apply now!
3. Undergraduate Developmental Science Summer Internship at the Yale Child Study Center (YCSC)
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Stipend: None; up to $4,000 may be available for students who cannot secure outside funding
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 15–20 undergraduate interns
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising junior and senior undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or international students currently enrolled in U.S. undergraduate degree-granting institutions
In this internship, you will take part in an eight-week research experience focused on child health and development. Your work will involve contributing to research projects across areas such as neuroscience, developmental science, clinical psychology, and community-based child health studies. Throughout the internship, you may analyze archived datasets, assist with wet lab techniques, or observe clinical and behavioral health settings. In addition to your research work, you will attend lectures, seminars, journal clubs, and career sessions that will introduce topics in child health beyond the scope of your specific research placement. At the end, you will present your research findings as a conference-style poster to faculty, staff, and fellow students.
4. Lockheed Martin Internships
Location: Primarily Stratford, CT
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 300+ students annually
Dates: Summer: Late May/June – August (10–12 weeks); Fall (Co-op): August/September – December; Spring (Co-op): January – May
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Summer: Rolling until April; Fall: June; Spring: October
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduates (sophomores to seniors) in STEM or Business majors. U.S. Citizenship is required
In this program, you will work as an intern at Lockheed Martin’s engineering, software, or operations teams supporting aerospace and defense technology projects. Your work may involve tasks such as developing and testing software applications, analyzing engineering or manufacturing data, or assisting with process improvement and digital transformation initiatives. Depending on the role, you may participate in activities across the development lifecycle, including design, testing, verification, and technical support, facilitated by an agile development workflow. You will also collaborate with engineers, analysts, and program teams while contributing to project planning, operational analysis, or manufacturing optimization efforts.
5. Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP)
Location: Department of the Navy (DoN) laboratories across the U.S., including Groton, CT
Stipend: New undergraduates: $7,500; Returning students: $9,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 800+ placements around the country
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer, with the possibility of extending up to 4 extra weeks
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year college or university (students graduating in the spring semester before the internship or in the winter after are not eligible to apply); U.S. citizens; some labs may accept permanent residents and/or students attending two-year colleges in relevant majors who meet the credit requirements
The NREIP places undergraduate and graduate students in DoN laboratories for a 10-week summer research experience focused on applied science and engineering. At the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory in Groton, Connecticut, you will assist scientists and engineers conducting research related to the health, safety, and operational performance of submariners and Navy divers. Your work may include supporting laboratory experiments, analyzing research data, assisting with physiological monitoring studies, or contributing to projects involving underwater acoustics, human performance, or environmental simulation. You may also take part in group mentoring sessions, project shadowing opportunities, and professional discussions about scientific research methods.
6. UConn Health’s Undergraduate Summer Research Internship Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Location: UConn Health, Farmington, CT
Stipend: $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; limited cohort sizes
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students enrolled in a U.S. college or university; U.S. citizens/Permanent Residents or international students who have an F-1 student visa; completed some college coursework in biology and chemistry
This internship at UConn Health allows undergraduate students to participate directly in biomedical research at the Graduate School’s laboratory programs. It places you in a faculty-led research lab, where you’ll contribute to ongoing projects in biological and biomedical sciences. Your tasks may include assisting with laboratory experiments, collecting or analyzing research data, and supporting other activities connected to the lab’s research program. You will also attend weekly biomedical science seminars and professional development sessions that introduce current research topics and career paths in the field. At the end of the internship, you will present your research findings to fellow participants and faculty advisors.
7. Connecticut Manufacturing Internship Program
Location: Organizations across Connecticut
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate differs by internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; large cohorts
Dates: Early June – August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students at least 18 years old; or recent graduates from accredited colleges/universities, typically majoring in Engineering, Technology, CS, or Supply Chain
The Connecticut Manufacturing Internship Program places undergraduate students with manufacturing companies across the state to support engineering and production-related work. These internships allow you to work in a professional manufacturing environment, where you may include tasks such as preparing and testing laminate samples, supporting quality control procedures, or assisting with engineering and production documentation. Interns will also have access to program events such as orientation sessions, professional development workshops, and networking opportunities with other interns and industry professionals. The internship also organizes statewide manufacturing tours that introduce interns to different manufacturing facilities and production operations across Connecticut.
8. Pfizer Futures Program
Location: Groton, Connecticut
Stipend: $26–$29/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~500 interns
Dates: 10–12 weeks starting from May 18, May 26, or June 1
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in a full-time university program; at least 18 years old; minimum GPA is 3.0 (for R&D roles, required minimum GPA is 3.3); legally authorized to work in the U.S.
In this internship, you will work under the guidance of Pfizer employees to support ongoing initiatives while participating in regular team meetings, design discussions, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. You’ll be assigned a defined project and evaluated based on specific project objectives. You will also receive structured feedback and may build connections with mentors, advisors, and other interns throughout the program. The internship typically requires on-site participation at a Pfizer location several days per week, depending on the role. This internship will prove useful for undergraduate students who want to explore the pharmaceutical industry through an internship at one of the country’s leading pharmaceutical organizations.
9. RTX Internship Program
Location: Primarily East Hartford, Farmington, Windsor, and Middletown, CT
Stipend: Paid, varies based on role
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 1,000+ interns
Dates: Summer, fall, and spring cohorts available
Application Deadline: Summer: November; fall/spring: Rolling, typically 4–5 months before the start date
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program, sophomore standing or higher, U.S. Citizenship is required
The RTX Internship Program places undergraduate students within engineering, research, and technical teams working on aerospace and defense technologies. Depending on the role, you may assist with projects related to mechanical systems testing, environmental health and safety assessments, or laboratory-based research. Some positions may even involve hands-on technical work, such as assembling test rigs, measuring components, or collecting and processing experimental data using engineering software tools. Other roles may focus on safety and compliance tasks, including assisting with Job Hazard Analyses and Environmental, Health, and Safety assessments in laboratory settings. Interns will get to work alongside engineers and research staff while contributing data, documentation, or technical support for ongoing projects.
10. ASML Science and Engineering Internships
Location: Wilton, Connecticut (Factory and R&D Campus)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically dozens of interns
Dates: Summer: June – August (10–12 weeks); Fall Co-op: August – December (3–6 months); Spring Co-op: January – May (3–6 months)
Application Deadline: Summer: March; Fall: June; Spring: October
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students pursuing a degree in engineering, science, business, or other major related to ASML activities; authorized to legally work in the U.S.
In this internship, you may support engineering teams working on the design and manufacturing of advanced lithography machines used to produce semiconductor chips. Your work may involve assisting with manufacturing process development, analyzing production data, updating CAD models, and helping create technical documentation for assembly and testing procedures. Some internship roles may even focus on optimizing optical coating or manufacturing processes by running experiments, analyzing data statistically, and identifying root causes of production issues. You may collaborate with production engineers while contributing to tasks such as contamination control monitoring or assembly tooling setup. In certain roles, you may also work in cleanroom environments while following strict operational and safety procedures.
11. General Dynamics Internships
Location: Primarily Groton, CT, and New London, CT
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically hundreds of interns across engineering, business, and trades departments
Dates: Summer: May – September (8–12 weeks); Co-op: Spring (January – May) or Fall (August – December) for 4–6 months
Application Deadline: Summer: Mid-November; Co-op: Rolling basis
Eligibility: U.S. Citizens; must be 18+, enrolled full-time, and have completed at least one year of college (freshman year) prior to start
The General Dynamics Internships place undergraduate students in engineering and technology teams working on projects related to national defense systems. Depending on the role, you may assist with technical work such as software development, system analysis, and engineering design tasks that support ongoing defense technology programs. For example, some interns may even get to contribute to projects involving GPS and navigation technologies by helping with software modeling, system integration, testing, and verification tasks. You will typically collaborate with engineers and technical staff in cross-functional teams while applying programming or engineering concepts you picked up through your coursework.
12. The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) Summer Student Program
Location: Farmington, CT
Stipend: $7,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~15–20 students
Dates: May 30 – August 10
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students who have at least one semester of undergraduate study remaining before graduation; at least 18 years old; U.S citizens or lawful permanent residents
The JAX Summer Student Program places undergraduate students in genetics and genomics research labs to support ongoing scientific studies. You’ll work alongside laboratory researchers and a designated mentor to develop and carry out a research project connected to the lab’s broader research goals. As the program progresses, you’ll take on more and more responsibility for experimental work, data analysis, and documentation related to your project. In addition to lab work, you’ll participate in training sessions covering topics such as genetic testing methods, data visualization, peer review, and scientific communication. Weekly journal club meetings and discussions with scientists and other professionals will introduce you to different pathways in the scientific research field.
13. Connecticut Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection Scientific Services Internship Program
Location: Connecticut Division of Scientific Services (DSS) Forensic Laboratory, Meriden, CT
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited cohort sizes
Dates: Spring: February – May; Summer: June – August; Fall/Winter: September – December
Application Deadline: Spring: November 1; Summer: March 15; Fall/Winter: July 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors/seniors in Forensic Science, Chemistry, or Biology; enrolled for academic credit; U.S. Citizenship may be required for specific units
This internship with the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection’s Division of Scientific Services (DSS) allows undergraduate students to work in a state forensic laboratory. You will assist staff working in units such as forensic biology and DNA analysis, toxicology, controlled substance testing, fire debris analysis, firearms examination, fingerprint identification, or computer crime investigations. Depending on the assigned section, your work may involve supporting laboratory analysis, evidence processing, or documentation tasks related to forensic casework. You may also gain exposure to operational areas such as evidence receiving, case management, and quality assurance that support the laboratory’s forensic investigations.
14. Connecticut’s Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) College Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations across Connecticut, including Hartford, New Britain, Old Lyme, and Burlington
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies
Dates: Spring, summer, and fall semesters
Application Deadline: Spring: November 1; Summer: March 1; Fall: July 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited four-year institution of higher education; completed their sophomore year of academic courses and earned a minimum of 60 academic credits; Associate Degree Program students should be at least halfway through their term
This internship places undergraduate students in various Connecticut DEEP divisions to support work connected to environmental management, energy systems, and public policy. You will work alongside agency staff on projects that may involve environmental research, resource monitoring, regulatory analysis, or environmental cleanup initiatives, depending on the division you join. You may be placed in areas such as environmental science, renewable energy, GIS, engineering, wildfire management, or environmental education. Your tasks may include assisting with field monitoring activities, supporting data collection and analysis, or contributing to projects related to conservation and sustainability programs.
15. Mystic Aquarium Internships
Location: Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT
Stipend: No information available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically 1–3 interns per department
Dates: Fall: September – December; Summer: May – August; Spring: January – May
Application Deadline: Spring: September 30; Summer: January 31; Fall: May 31
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduate students; at least 18 years old; majoring in a related field (e.g., Biology, Marine Science, Education)
In this internship, you may assist aquarists, veterinarians, and research staff with daily operational tasks such as preparing animal diets, maintaining exhibits, recording animal data, or supporting rehabilitation care for injured marine animals. Some roles may involve direct work in the Animal Rescue Program, where interns help care for rehabilitating marine mammals or sea turtles and assist with facility operations under staff supervision. Other placements focus on research or laboratory work, including behavioral observation, specimen handling, and water quality testing. Interns may also assist educators with conservation programs and public presentations delivered to aquarium visitors and school groups.
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