15 STEM Internships for Undergraduates in Nevada
If you are an undergraduate interested in STEM, an internship can be a worthwhile way to gain experience in research, engineering, or applied science work. STEM internships allow you to contribute to projects across laboratories, industry R&D teams, field stations, and government and national-security facilities. In these roles, you work on projects while developing technical skills, including laboratory techniques, programming, instrumentation, and data analysis. You also develop professional skills such as scientific communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Why should I do a STEM internship in college?
A STEM internship allows you to apply classroom concepts while strengthening your resume through experience with research or engineering methods. You may contribute to reports, presentations, or project deliverables, which serve as concrete accomplishments for academic or job applications. Close collaboration with faculty, engineers, or agency mentors can result in strong letters of recommendation and long-term professional connections. Many internships also include site visits, industry or laboratory collaborations, and opportunities to present your work, helping you clarify your career goals and expand your professional network.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 STEM internships for undergraduates in Nevada.
1. Wolf Pack STEM Internship Program
Location: University of Nevada, Reno | internship placements with local STEM small businesses, start-ups, and non-profit organizations in the Reno/Sparks area and beyond
Cost/Stipend: Paid | interns earn $18/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | internships are competitive
Dates: Fall (Early September - November 30), spring (Mid January - April 30), and summer (late May - August 15)
Application Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Enrolled UNR undergraduate students in STEM majors | minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
The Wolf Pack STEM Internship Program places undergraduate students in paid STEM roles with local technology companies, start-ups, and non-profits, allowing you to translate STEM coursework into meaningful professional experience. Offered across fall, spring, and summer cycles, you’ll work on real projects such as data analysis, software development, engineering support, GIS tasks, or laboratory work aligned with your technical interests, giving you hands-on exposure to industry practices and tools. Throughout the internship, you collaborate with professional mentors at host organizations, building practical skills in problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and technology application, while expanding your professional network within Nevada’s STEM ecosystem. Many students also earn academic credit for their Pack STEM internship, integrating the experience with their academic goals and reflecting on real-world challenges and outcomes. This program helps strengthen your resume with substantive work experience in STEM fields while connecting your education to future career paths.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to undergraduates and gap year students!
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!
3. Brightline West Civil Engineer Intern
Location: 8329 W Sunset Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89113 (Brightline West offices)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 - July 31 | full-time during the summer internship program
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students pursuing degrees in civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, construction management, or related fields | must be authorized to work in the U.S.
The Brightline West Engineering Design Internship provides exposure to the planning and design of America’s first high-speed, all-electric passenger rail system connecting Las Vegas and Southern California, a 218-mile infrastructure project. As an intern, you’ll support multidisciplinary engineering teams with tasks such as reviewing design documents, assisting with civil and systems coordination, and preparing summaries and technical materials, gaining practical insight into standards and criteria that shape large-scale transportation projects. You’ll work closely with professional engineers and external consultants, attend meetings, and contribute to real project assignments that help you build foundational skills in technical communication, analysis, collaborative design workflows, and rail infrastructure principles. Through hands-on exposure to tools such as Bluebeam and other industry software, you will strengthen your understanding of how multidisciplinary teams integrate civil, electrical, and systems design elements to support coordinated outcomes in complex infrastructure projects. This internship not only lets you apply classroom engineering knowledge in a professional setting but also helps you understand the real-world challenges and practices that drive innovation in high-speed rail development.
4. STEM Educator & Student Partner Undergraduate Internship
Location: Partner classrooms and schools in Nevada | placements coordinated by the Desert Research Institute in collaboration with the University of Nevada, Reno, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Cost/Stipend: Paid | around $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive | typically, 15 STEM students are selected
Dates: To be announced
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with 30+ earned credits majoring in STEM or education with a competitive GPA (for example, greater than or equal to 2.5)
The STEM Educator & Student Partner Undergraduate Internship gives you a chance to bridge STEM disciplines and education by pairing with both STEM-major and education-major peers to support learning in Nevada classrooms. During this semester-long experience, you’ll be placed in K-5 or 8 - 12 school settings, where you work under the guidance of a teacher mentor, and collaborate with your partner to design and develop engaging STEM activities that address instructional needs while building your own knowledge of STEM content and pedagogy. Throughout the internship, you’ll visit classrooms regularly, become familiar with teaching dynamics, collaborate to design curriculum and virtual resources, and participate in professional development opportunities with faculty and education professionals. This internship strengthens your professional communication, teamwork, and instructional skills as you navigate real educational environments and contribute to meaningful curriculum development for younger learners. By the end of the program, you’ll have a clear understanding of how STEM concepts can be taught effectively, strengthening professional relationships with educators, and gaining practical experience that enhances both teaching and STEM career pathways.
5. DRI Research Immersion Internship (Spring)
Location: Desert Research Institute | various project locations in Las Vegas and Reno, NV
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($14/hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Spring semester (January 20 - May 8)
Application Deadline: November 7
Eligibility: Current college students enrolled at Nevada community or state colleges
This internship gives you the chance to work with research teams focused on STEM fields such as data analysis, geospatial modeling, seismology, meteorology, hydrology, and science communication. You will be paired with a mentor and prioritize your project preferences, and then contribute to meaningful research activities such as processing environmental data, analyzing satellite or sensor outputs, preparing scientific summaries, and participating in group discussions that deepen your understanding of research practice. Along the way, you’ll develop technical skills relevant to your field, for example, Python and GIS for wildfire tracking, experimental lab techniques for paleohydrology studies, or communication and inquiry methods for science outreach, while strengthening collaboration, problem-solving, and professional research experience. This immersive experience helps you observe how academic knowledge applies to real-world scientific challenges, supports networking with experienced scientists, and enhances your resume with relevant project work before you finish your degree.
6. NBRE Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (iSURF) – Nevada State University
Location: Henderson, Nevada (Nevada State University campus)
Cost/Stipend: Paid | up to $6,000 summer fellowship (distributed biweekly)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | small faculty-mentored research cohort
Dates: May - July (9-week full-time program)
Application Deadline: Typically December (applications open around October)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled at Nevada State University | minimum GPA of 2.0 | must be continuing students (not graduating before Fall) | must be authorized to work in the U.S.
In this internship, you participate in a full-time, faculty-guided research experience across disciplines such as biology, chemistry, data science, environmental science, and neuroscience. You work directly in a laboratory or research setting, where you assist with experiments, data collection, and analysis while learning how scientific research is conducted. You also attend workshops and seminars on topics covering research ethics, laboratory techniques, and scientific communication, which help you build a strong academic foundation. Throughout the program, you will collaborate with mentors and peers, allowing you to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills. You will complete a research project and present your findings at a poster session and research conference. By the end of the internship, you will have gained hands-on research experience and a deeper understanding of STEM careers and graduate pathways.
7. UNLV StepUp & StartUp Engineering Internship Program
Location: Local companies and startups in Las Vegas, NV
Cost/Stipend: Paid | employers pay $18.00/hour, and the College of Engineering reimburses the stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | internships are competitive
Dates: Fall, spring (15 weeks), and summer (12 weeks) internship cycles
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current UNLV College of Engineering or Lee Business School students (sophomores require coordinator approval)
This program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, connects students from the College of Engineering and Lee Business with paid internships at local startups, small technology firms, and nonprofit organizations. Through this program, you work alongside professionals on tasks such as software development, data science, engineering support, design work, marketing strategy, or business operations, all while earning a competitive hourly wage supported by UNLV’s reimbursement to employers. You’ll participate in the full hiring process by applying to opportunities that match your interests and interviewing with potential companies, and then contributing directly to projects that help local companies grow and innovate. Along the way, you build technical competencies, professional communication skills, and workplace habits that improve your resume and deepen your understanding of how multidisciplinary teams operate in startup and technology contexts. Throughout the internship, you get support from the college of engineering internship coordinator, helping you improve your resume, prepare for interviews, and navigate challenges.
8. Biotechnology Internship – University of Nevada, Reno (UNR)
Location: University of Nevada, Reno | Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
Cost/Stipend: Competitive hourly rates
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not disclosed
Dates: Not specified (dependent on host lab and academic calendar)
Application Deadline: Not specified (contact department directly for current deadlines)
Eligibility: University of Nevada, Reno undergraduate students in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, or related STEM majors
The Biotechnology Internship offered through UNR’s Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology provides experience in industry and research laboratory settings. You apply classroom knowledge to experimental design, execution, troubleshooting, and data interpretation in biotechnology and life sciences. You’ll work in specialized labs or with affiliated startups supported by the Nevada Center for Applied Research, engaging in tasks that strengthen technical laboratory skills, getting exposure to modern biotech techniques, and gaining an understanding of how academic research translates into industry applications. In this role, you’ll build practical competencies in molecular methods, laboratory equipment use, and experimental analysis, all while expanding your network with professionals in the biotech sector and exploring potential career pathways in industry, research, or graduate study.
9. Biotech Research Industry-Student Experience (RISE) Initiative – UNR
Location: University of Nevada, Reno | Nevada Center for Applied Research & partner industry sites
Cost/Stipend: Paid or unpaid internships available (depends on host organization)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified (placements vary by project and company)
Dates: Varies by internship/project
Application Deadline: Not specified (contact Nevada Center for Applied Research for details)
Eligibility: Undergraduate STEM students
The Biotech Research Industry-Student Experience (RISE) initiative connects you with research and internship opportunities that integrate academic learning with biotechnology and applied science work. Placements may occur on campus, at industry sites, or in hybrid formats. In this program, you’ll be involved in technical laboratory work, project management support, and research activities that strengthen your laboratory practice, experiment execution, and understanding of biotechnology innovation processes. Projects often involve collaboration with biotech startups, academic researchers, and industry partners, giving you exposure to professional workflows and technology development while helping you build a portfolio of relevant skills for careers in science and research sectors.
10. Right of Way Intern – Las Vegas Valley Water District
Location: Molasky Corporate Center, 100 City Parkway, Las Vegas, NV
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: February 24 - March 24
Eligibility: Undergraduate students can apply
The Right of Way Intern role at the Las Vegas Valley Water District provides an opportunity to work alongside the Water District’s Right of Way team in assessing and managing land access requirements for utility and infrastructure projects. You’ll review developer easements, perform data input into document systems, and record easement information to ensure that legal and property access requirements for water and infrastructure projects are properly documented and tracked. You’ll develop practical technical skills in data systems and documentation workflows while learning directly from experienced staff about how public utilities handle land rights and property coordination. This internship also lets you strengthen workplace skills such as communication, organization, and attention to detail as you contribute to real-world transportation and infrastructure support work. This program provides an opportunity to connect classroom understanding with applied tasks in civil infrastructure and public service environments.
11. Engineering Design Intern
Location: River Mountains Water Treatment Facility, Henderson, NV
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Applications start February 24
Eligibility: Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program with at least 6 credit hours per semester and a GPA of 2.0 or higher | must be able to work up to 25 hours/week and have a valid Nevada driver’s license and legal work authorization in the U.S.
The Engineering Design Intern role at the Las Vegas Valley Water District gives you the chance to support real engineering work connected to the planning, design, and execution of water system capital and maintenance projects. You’ll assist with research, technical planning, data analysis, and preparation of engineering documents and exhibits. You’ll make informed infrastructure decisions, model system needs, and contribute to essential waterworks design tasks. Throughout the internship, you will collaborate with experienced engineers and technical staff, gaining exposure to project coordination, problem-solving, and how public water systems plan and build critical facilities, pipelines, and treatment assets. The role helps you build practical skills in engineering software usage, technical communication, and analytical thinking, while strengthening teamwork and professional relationships in a civil engineering-focused operations setting. By participating in infrastructure planning and design activities, you will deepen your understanding of how engineering principles translate into real-world solutions for public utilities and community service.
12. NV Energy: Engineering & IT Student Internship Program
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Cost/Stipend: Not available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round internship available (beginning May in the current year)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current enrollment in an engineering or related degree program | cumulative GPA of greater than 2.75
This internship places you within a major utility organization where you contribute to engineering work related to power transmission, distribution, plant operations, and maintenance projects. You’ll assist with design, evaluation, analysis, and planning tasks, helping prepare engineering exhibits, perform calculations, and support system modeling while collaborating with engineers, plant operations staff, and contractors on real capital and maintenance programs. Daily responsibilities may include data entry, sample collection, technical documentation, and coordination across teams, giving you exposure to project management, regulatory considerations, and field-to-office workflows. Through mentorship and team assignments, you will strengthen technical communication, problem-solving, and applied engineering skills, and gain insight into how large utility systems are planned, built, and maintained. Successful completion of an internship positions participants for future full-time roles, allowing them to explore career paths in electrical, mechanical, civil, telecom, or computer engineering within the utility sector.
13. Climate Robotics Remote Internships
Location: Remote (work from anywhere)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified (varies by project)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible (typically, 1 - 3 months)
Application Deadline: Varies | open postings are available online
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students currently enrolled or recently graduated
The Climate Robotics Network offers remote internships that allow you to contribute to research and content development at the intersection of robotics and climate science. As a remote intern, you can work on projects such as contributing to research initiatives, such as white paper series or the global map of climate robotics, developing video content, editing and producing STEM-themed videos, or helping with strategic outreach efforts, using your laptop. This experience builds your portfolio, strengthens technical communication and media skills, and lets you work with a global team of students and early-career STEM professionals.
14. Forage Virtual Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free | unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open access (self-paced; no fixed cohort)
Dates: Year-round (self-paced; complete anytime)
Application Deadline: No deadline
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students worldwide
In this internship, you complete virtual work simulations designed by leading companies across technology, engineering, and consulting sectors. You work on real-world tasks such as data analysis, coding challenges, engineering problem-solving, and research-based assignments. You follow structured modules that simulate actual job roles, which helps you understand how professionals work in STEM fields. Throughout the internship, you build practical skills by completing project-based tasks rather than just learning theory. By the end of the program, you gain hands-on exposure to industry work and develop a clearer understanding of STEM career paths. You also receive a certificate upon completion, which can be added to your resume or professional profile.
15. Emertxe Free Online STEM Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free | unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment (limited seats per batch)
Dates: About 4 weeks (multiple cohorts throughout the year)
Application Deadline: Varies by program (for example, February - March cycles)
Eligibility: Undergraduate engineering or STEM students
In this internship, you will work on technical projects in areas such as embedded systems, Internet of Things (IoT), and AI-related applications. You attend live sessions led by industry mentors and apply your learning through hands-on project development. You also receive feedback and guidance throughout the internship, which improves your technical understanding. The program focuses on the right mix of theory and application, ensuring you gain practical skills. By the end of the internship, you will have developed a complete project that you can showcase in your portfolio or resume.
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