15 STEM Internships for Undergraduates in Illinois
College students can benefit from internships because they provide a crucial bridge between academic theory and application. By working in a professional environment, you gain experience that develops your technical abilities and essential soft skills, such as communication and adaptability, which are valued by employers. Furthermore, internships offer opportunities to build a professional network, connect with mentors, and realistically evaluate a potential career path before graduation. Ultimately, this practical exposure strengthens your resume and improves your employment chances.
Why should I do a STEM internship in college?
A STEM internship during college can change how ready you feel for a job. Instead of just relying on assignments and exams, you will see how things work in the professional world. You get to work with mentors and teammates, giving you networking opportunities that might lead you to your first full-time role. Along the way, you will build skills that cannot be easily learned in a classroom setting, like how to communicate clearly, work with others, or deal with problems when there is no obvious answer, preparing you for real work challenges.
Here are 15 STEM internships for undergraduates in Illinois!
1. Illinois Physics Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Location: Urbana-Champaign, IL (UIUC Campus)
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 10–12 students per year
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduates (first year to senior); U.S. citizens/permanent residents; must be enrolled at institutions other than UIUC; 3.0 GPA in technical courses
In the Illinois Physics Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), you will immerse yourself in a 10-week summer program bridging classroom learning with hands-on scientific discovery. You will explore all major department subfields, including astrophysics, atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics, biological physics, condensed matter, high-energy physics, nuclear physics, physics education, and quantum information science. During the summer, you will collaborate with senior faculty on research projects, engage in a specialized research bootcamp, take field trips to national facilities like Fermilab, and formally present your final findings. This fully funded opportunity integrates experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches within a highly collaborative academic community.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; full need-based financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students per session
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort: Spring (February), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 5-10 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, fully remote initiative that pairs you directly with high-growth startups and nonprofits to tackle real-world STEM challenges. During the 8 to 12-week program, you will explore advanced topics like artificial intelligence, machine learning, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability. Your activities will involve analyzing datasets, building technical tools, attending structured coaching sessions, and presenting your final project to the host company. What makes this program unique is its dual-mentorship model, providing you with hands-on guidance from both a startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach. Ultimately, you will finish the internship having developed essential skills in computational problem-solving, project management, and scientific communication. Apply now!
3. Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy – SITE Intern
Location: Aurora, IL (IMSA Campus)
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: May 26 – July 29
Application Deadline: April 30 (Rolling basis)
Eligibility: Rising college sophomore, junior, or senior (or enrolled in graduate program for fall) with a STEM or education concentration
As an IMSA SITE Intern, you will explore the intersection of STEM and education by teaching inquiry-based science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content to younger students. In this role, your daily activities will involve delivering IMSA-created lessons, guiding students through collaborative problem-solving, modeling strong leadership, and organizing classroom materials. The program features a supportive environment, where you receive dedicated mentorship, training, and real-time feedback from experienced professionals while actively teaching. Through these experiences, you will learn essential skills in classroom management, instructional delivery, scientific communication, and teamwork.
4. Argonne Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI)
Location: Lemont, IL (Argonne National Laboratory)
Stipend: $650/week + $250/week housing allowance + $500 travel reimbursement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 100 students per summer
Dates: Summer: May–August (10 weeks); Fall: August–December (16 weeks); Spring: January–May (16 weeks)
Application Deadline: Summer: January 7; Fall: May 20; Spring: October
Eligibility: U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident; 18+ years old; 3.0+ cumulative GPA; undergraduate student or recent graduate (within 2 years)
The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) at Argonne National Laboratory is a premier research program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). It provides undergraduate students and recent graduates with the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of world-class scientists and engineers. You will work on projects in areas like energy storage, climate science, computing, and physics alongside scientists. The program includes professional development workshops and aims to prepare students for graduate school or research careers. You also receive a competitive stipend and housing assistance for the duration of your appointment.
5. NCSA – Students Pushing Innovation(SPIN)
Location: Urbana-Champaign, IL (UIUC Campus)
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 20–30 students per session
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: All UIUC undergraduates in good academic standing (excluding those graduating in Spring); includes international students; must be on-campus
Through the NCSA SPIN program, you get the unique opportunity to step out of the classroom and work directly alongside expert scientists using world-class supercomputers. You will dive into diverse STEM topics like high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, and data science. During the internship, your core activities will involve writing specialized code, analyzing massive research datasets, collaborating with professional mentors, and presenting your project findings. As a standout feature, this paid program pairs you one-on-one with NCSA researchers to tackle authentic global challenges rather than simulated lab exercises. Ultimately, you will build a strong foundation by mastering highly technical skills such as parallel programming, advanced data visualization, and critical problem-solving.
6. Beckman Institute Undergraduate Fellows Program (UIUC)
Location: Urbana, IL
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 4–5 fellows per year
Dates: Summer term (typically 8–10 weeks between June and August)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: UIUC undergraduates in good standing and enrolled for the spring semester prior to the fellowship; must have worked in a Beckman Institute laboratory for at least one semester before the summer of the application; the student’s faculty research advisor must be a full- or part-time Beckman Institute faculty member
In this program, you explore diverse topics encompassing physical sciences, engineering, biology, cognition, computation, and neuroscience. Uniquely requiring prior experience in a Beckman lab, this fellowship bypasses basic training and engages you in cross-departmental collaboration with expert faculty. Your core activities involve conducting experiments, executing complex data collection and analysis, and drafting a comprehensive final report. To cap off the experience, you will also present your scientific findings at a fall poster session. Through these tasks, you will develop advanced laboratory techniques, rigorous data interpretation abilities, and confident scientific communication skills.
7. Grainger College of Engineering City Scholars Program (UIUC)
Location: Chicago, IL (with UIUC affiliation)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 35–50 students per semester
Dates: One semester (Fall: August–December; Spring: January–May)
Application Deadline: Mid-February for Fall; September for Spring
Eligibility: UIUC Grainger Engineering juniors or seniors; majors: CS, CS+X, CompE, and EE
This program offers you a unique co-op experience where you can live and work in Chicago while remaining a full-time UIUC student. You will focus on STEM topics spanning computer science, software engineering, data science, and electrical engineering. You will build and deploy production code, analyze corporate datasets, network with tech executives, and complete your regular UIUC coursework locally or online. The program seamlessly integrates your academic progression with an extended, 20-hour-per-week paid internship in the city's startup and corporate ecosystem.
8. Loyola University Chicago SES Internships
Location: Primarily Chicago, IL (Lake Shore and Water Tower campuses), including the Searle Biodiesel Lab, Greenhouse Lab, and Urban Agriculture sites; some off-campus placements at local partner organizations
Stipend: Paid and unpaid options available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 2–10 students per specific program area
Dates: Fall Semester: August to December; Spring Semester: January to May; Summer Term: May to August
Application Deadline: For Spring: December 1; For Summer: March 15; For Fall: May 29
Eligibility: Loyola University Chicago students
The School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) at Loyola University Chicago connects students with paid internships both on campus and with premier Chicago-area environmental organizations. Opportunities include positions at the Chicago Council on Science and Technology (C2ST), the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC), the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and WasteNot Compost. You work a minimum of 10 hours per week and gain hands-on experience in areas like science communication, environmental advocacy, collections management, and commercial composting. These internships are designed to provide valuable professional experience while advancing students' career goals in environmental fields.
9. UIC CISM NASA Internship
Location: Various NASA Centers (selected through UIC)
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 4 students per summer cycle
Dates: Summer: 10 weeks between late May or early June through early August
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; undergraduates pursuing Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, related STEM fields; minimum 3.0 GPA
The University of Illinois Chicago's Center for In-Space Manufacturing (CISM) selects outstanding students for paid 10-week summer internships at NASA centers across the country. You will contribute to NASA's mission of advancing space exploration through research projects in areas like additive manufacturing with lunar regolith simulant and digital twin development. You work closely with experienced NASA scientists and engineers on multidisciplinary projects that support future lunar infrastructure. Recent UIC interns have been placed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, working on cutting-edge space technology development.
10. FERMILAB – U.S. CMS Undergraduate Internship
Location: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL
Stipend: $600/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 20–40 students
Dates: May 26 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate; completed at least one year of study; 18+ years; eligible to work in the U.S.
The U.S. CMS Undergraduate Internship (often known as the PURSUE program) places students in research projects related to the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (CERN). Under mentorship from physicists, engineers, and computational scientists, you will analyze data, develop software tools, or participate in instrumentation work that supports experimental particle physics efforts. The immersive 10-week experience includes research collaboration, weekly seminars, and professional development activities, helping you build technical skills in physics, computing, and data analysis while contributing to world-class research.
11. Fermilab Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI)
Location: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL
Stipend: $650/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 25–40 students per term
Dates: Summer: June 1 – August 7 | Fall: August 17 – December 4
Application Deadline: Summer: January 7 | Fall: May 20
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate; 3.0+ GPA; 18+ years; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The DOE Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) at Fermilab immerses undergraduates in STEM research, working directly with experts on projects at the forefront of particle physics and accelerator science. Over 10 weeks, you will perform substantive research, participate in seminars, and prepare oral or poster presentations summarizing your work. The internship develops skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication while fostering connections with researchers and peers. Transportation support and a competitive stipend make this a financially accessible research experience.
12. Argonne National Laboratory Seasonal Internship Program
Location: Lemont, Illinois (Argonne National Laboratory campus near Chicago), IL
Stipend: $650/week + $250/week housing allowance + $500 travel reimbursement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 100–150 students
Dates: Summer term generally runs for 10 weeks from May to August; Fall/Spring terms run for 15 weeks (September to December or January to May)
Application Deadline: Summer: February 6; Fall: June 12; Spring: October
Eligibility: Undergraduates at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or recent graduate (within 3 months), and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
The Argonne Seasonal Internship Program lets you explore broad STEM topics like energy, computing, physics, and national security. During this program, you will write a research plan with an expert, take safety classes, do lab work, and share your final results on a poster. You get to work at a national laboratory, and mentors sometimes include your findings in published scientific papers. Along the way, you will learn technical skills like coding and data analysis, while also improving your teamwork and problem-solving abilities. Ultimately, this gives you real-world experience to build a strong career foundation.
13. Northeastern IL University SCSE Summer Research Program
Location: Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Pad, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 30–40 students per summer
Dates: Late May – Early August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Typically, late March
Eligibility: Currently enrolled NEIU undergraduate students majoring or minoring in STEM fields (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology) who are continuing their studies in the following Fall semester
In this program, you will explore STEM topics encompassing biology, chemistry, computer science, earth science, environmental science, mathematics, physics, and psychology. Throughout the summer, you will collaborate with faculty on original research, attend professional development workshops, and participate in career advising check-ins. A unique feature of this program is its built-in stipend and localized focus, allowing you to conduct funded research at your own institution rather than relocating. Ultimately, you will develop essential technical skills, critical thinking, and science communication abilities by presenting your findings at the mandatory SCSE Research Symposium.
14. Argonne National Laboratory Lee Teng Undergraduate Internship
Location: Lemont, IL (Argonne National Laboratory) and Batavia, IL (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory)
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 10 students
Dates: June 1 — August 7
Application Deadline: November 28
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students at an accredited U.S. university, majoring in physics, engineering, or computer science; 18 years or older; minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale; open to both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals; must have completed at least one semester
In the Lee Teng Undergraduate Fellowship, you will explore accelerator science spanning physics, electrical and mechanical engineering, computing, and material science. You kick off the 10-week program by completing a rigorous fundamentals course in the U.S. Particle Accelerator School for academic credit. Afterward, you conduct a hands-on, mentored research project and tour cutting-edge local accelerator facilities. Through these experiences, you develop advanced technical skills in specialized fields like machine learning, beam dynamics, and radio frequency systems. Finally, you culminate the summer by writing a formal paper and presenting your findings.
15. UChicago Neuroscience Research Metcalf Internship
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: $5,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 10–25 students
Dates: June 15 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Current University of Chicago undergraduate students (primarily 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years) majoring in Neuroscience
This Metcalf Internship gives University of Chicago neuroscience majors the chance to complete cutting-edge research in a neuroscience laboratory over the summer quarter. You will identify a UChicago Neuroscience faculty member (Principal Investigator) and develop a feasible project for the 10-week program, working full-time in the lab on campus. You attend weekly in-person meetings with program directors and peers to build a supportive research community, participate in professional development, and receive training on critical thinking, experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. All students present their work with a research talk at the end of the quarter.
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