15 STEM Internships for Undergraduates in Nebraska

Internships provide you with structured opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings, develop technical and workplace skills, and build relationships with mentors and industry professionals. Beyond strengthening your resume, these roles offer an environment for you to test a career path, build a professional network, and develop soft skills that textbooks can't teach. For students pursuing science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, gaining practical experience is especially important, as many STEM roles require applied problem-solving, data analysis, laboratory work, or technical development experience.

Why should I do a STEM internship in college?

A STEM internship allows you to translate academic concepts into applications while developing competencies employers expect from undergraduates entering technical fields. While a high GPA proves you can learn, an internship proves you can apply those concepts. You’ll gain exposure to industry tools, research methods, coding environments, laboratory protocols, or engineering processes, depending on your area of study. Engaging in a STEM internship also allows you to work with advanced technologies that are often unavailable in a standard campus lab.

To help you identify high-quality opportunities, we’ve narrowed down a list of 15 STEM internships for undergraduates in Nebraska that offer experience, structured mentorship, and meaningful professional development.

1. UNL Summer Research Program (SRP)

Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Stipend: $5,500 - $6,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 6
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with at least one semester of remaining coursework who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents

The Nebraska Summer Research Program (SRP) provides undergraduates with a 10-week immersive research experience within nationally funded labs across multiple disciplines. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and contribute to a defined project within research groups in areas such as biomedical engineering, chemistry, plant science, nanotechnology, virology, and sustainability. Supported by REU, REEU, and related research partnerships, SRP emphasizes preparation for graduate study and applied research careers. You’ll gain experience in experimental design, data analysis, and scholarly communication within a structured academic research environment in Nebraska.

2. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students

The Ladder University Internship Program is a virtual internship in which you work with startups and nonprofits across a variety of industries on defined, project-based assignments. Over eight weeks, you collaborate with a company manager and coach to scope, develop, and deliver two structured project milestones. Responsibilities include drafting deliverables, incorporating feedback, and presenting both interim and final results to the host organization. The program follows a clear weekly progression from project definition to final presentation. Apply now

3. UNMC Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)

Location: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Stipend: Varies by department
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 100 positions
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: College freshmen, sophomores, or juniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents 

The UNMC Summer Undergraduate Research Program offers a 10-week, full-time research experience for undergraduates in Nebraska and beyond. You will join a faculty-mentored research team within laboratories and research centers spanning biomedical engineering, cancer research, genetics, public health, pharmacology, and related disciplines. You’ll receive a stipend and participate in weekly seminars designed to broaden your understanding of research careers and graduate study pathways. The projects are embedded within active research programs, providing exposure to laboratory techniques, data analysis, and scientific collaboration. 

4. Nebraska EPSCoR NESTIP

Location: Various businesses in Nebraska
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: STEM undergraduates enrolled in an accredited Nebraska college or university who have completed at least 65 credit hours 

The Nebraska Engineering, Science and Technology Internship Program, developed by Nebraska EPSCoR, supports paid, project-based STEM internships for undergraduates and graduate students. Through a cost-share model, participating Nebraska businesses receive funding assistance to hire students for applied science, engineering, and technology roles. As an intern, you will work on projects that facilitate technology transfer between higher education institutions and industry. The program emphasizes practical experience in private-sector environments while contributing to research and development objectives. 

5. Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research (NCESR) Summer Internships

Location: University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Stipend: Up to $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 8 students
Dates: Typically May – August
Application Deadline: November 12
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who can secure a faculty sponsor

The NCESR Summer Undergraduate Internship places students in faculty-mentored research in energy sciences, including renewable and nuclear energy research. You will engage in experimental or computational projects, attend research seminars, and contribute to group research activities. You’ll be encouraged to present your work at conferences or the university’s research symposium. The projects vary from year to year, but focus on core STEM research objectives and skills development relevant to energy engineering and science.

6. UNL Bureau of Sociological Research Student Internships

Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Typically in the spring
Eligibility: Undergraduates and graduates 

The Bureau of Sociological Research offers paid summer internships for undergraduates and graduate students in Nebraska. As an intern, you’ll gain experience in human subjects research, survey design, and applied data collection methods. Your responsibilities may include administering surveys, supporting research logistics, and assisting with data management processes. Preference is given to students with coursework in statistics, research methods, or social sciences. 

7. UNL Micro-Internship & Mentoring Program

Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8–12 weeks
Application Deadline: September 6 (Fall), January 31 (Spring)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students 

The UNL Micro-Internship & Mentoring Program provides paid, short-term internship opportunities for undergraduates in Nebraska who have not previously completed an internship. You’ll work in an in-person professional setting while receiving structured mentorship. You will collaborate with a supervisor to set a work schedule, complete assigned responsibilities, and follow organizational policies and standards. The program requires weekly reflections, participation in professional development meetings, and completion of an end-of-program survey. 

8. UNO Biology Undergraduate Research & Internship Opportunities 

Location: University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE
Stipend: May be provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Undergraduate students

Undergraduate research opportunities at the University of Nebraska Omaha allow students to collaborate with faculty mentors on laboratory and field-based projects across the biological sciences. You may join faculty-initiated research or propose a self-directed project aligned with your academic interests. The research areas include genetics and plant morphology, host-microbiome interactions, translational infectious disease research, animal behavior, and molecular biomarkers, among others. Through sustained mentorship, you will develop competencies in experimental design, data collection, analysis, and scientific communication. 

9. IANR ARD Undergraduate Student Research Program

Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Stipend: Up to $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer and academic year
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Junior and senior undergraduates with a faculty member who has an ARD appointment

The IANR ARD Undergraduate Student Research Program supports undergraduates conducting faculty-mentored research in Nebraska. You will develop and submit a research proposal in collaboration with an ARD-appointed faculty mentor, with funding decisions based on proposal quality. Selected students may receive up to $2,500 in research support, matched by participating units or faculty. The projects span areas such as genetics, animal physiology, stress biology, and agricultural science, reflecting a strong emphasis on STEM research.

10. Mutual of Omaha Information Technology Intern

Location: Mutual of Omaha, Omaha, NE
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate students

As an Information Technology Intern at Mutual of Omaha in Nebraska, you will contribute to application development, data systems, cybersecurity, or business analysis initiatives. You’ll work with code and data in test and production environments, gaining experience in front-end, back-end, and full-stack development. The technologies may include Java, Python, JavaScript, and React, among others. The internship can be completed during the summer or as part of a year-round rotational program, allowing for broader exposure across technical teams. There will be weekly workshops and mentorship that provide structured learning in both technical and presentation skills. 

11. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services-Developmental Disabilities Division Internships

Location: Omaha State Office Building, Omaha, NE
Stipend: $19/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2 positions
Dates: Starts on October 1
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program

This internship provides hands-on experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across clinical and community settings. You’ll work alongside an interdisciplinary team that includes psychologists, behavior analysts, and other specialists, contributing to evaluations, behavioral assessments, and support planning. Your responsibilities may include assisting with psychological assessments such as adaptive, intellectual, and diagnostic evaluations, as well as participating in functional behavior assessments and behavior support plans. The internship also involves consultation work with community providers, where you’ll help assess and support individuals receiving services outside of residential facilities.

12. InternNE 

Location: Organizations across Nebraska
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Nebraska students enrolled in an institute of higher education or recent graduates 

The Intern Nebraska (InternNE) Grant Program supports the creation of paid STEM internships and professional roles for students across Nebraska. Through state funding, eligible for-profit and nonprofit organizations receive financial assistance to establish new internships that address workforce needs. As a student, you will work in a professional or technical position with a defined duration and a clear project or short-term objective. These internships typically provide meaningful career development, credited or certified training for skilled roles, and pay at least the Nebraska state minimum wage. The program is designed to strengthen talent pipelines and increase the likelihood of full-time employment within the state.

13. Werner Enterprises Internships

Location: Werner Enterprises, Omaha, NE
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 11 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate students interested in the transportation industry

Werner Enterprises offers a STEM internship designed to prepare undergraduates in Nebraska for careers in transportation, logistics, and corporate operations. You will gain structured exposure to company operations, business strategy, customer service requirements, and organizational culture. You’ll work in a corporate environment focused on safety, innovation, and technology-driven efficiency. The program emphasizes professional skill development, cross-functional collaboration, and understanding long-term career pathways within the company.

14. Sandhills Global Software Development Intern

Location: Sandhills Global, Lincoln, NE
Stipend: $25/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students

As a Software Development Intern at Sandhills Global in Nebraska, you will participate in a structured training program designed to prepare undergraduates for modern software engineering work. You will complete guided tasks that introduce you to the company’s development processes, tools, and Microsoft-based technology stack, such as C#, .NET, SQL Server, and Web APIs, among others. After training, you’ll be placed on an agile development team where you contribute to maintaining, upgrading, and building web-based, data-driven applications. Your responsibilities may include front-end development, back-end logic implementation, database work, and performance improvements. 

15. Duncan Aviation's Internship Program

Location: Duncan Aviation, Lincoln, NE
Stipend: $2,000 housing stipend + potential $1,000 scholarship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduates interested in aviation

The Duncan Aviation Internship Program offers STEM internships and corporate placements for undergraduates in Nebraska. You’ll be paired with a mentor and receive daily supervision while applying classroom knowledge in real-world aviation and business environments. The technical roles span accessory, airframe, avionics, engine, engineering, and installation departments, where you’ll test, troubleshoot, repair, analyze data, and complete technical documentation according to industry and manufacturer standards. The program includes structured professional development, competitive pay, housing stipends for qualifying interns, and eligibility for internship-specific scholarships.

Image source - University of Nebraska-Lincoln logo

Dhruva Bhat

Dhruva Bhat is one of the co-founders of Ladder, and a Harvard College graduate. Dhruva founded Ladder Internships as a DPhil candidate and Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, with a vision to bridge the gap between ambitious students and real-world startup experiences.

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