15 STEM Internships for Undergraduates in Ohio

Internships are one of the most practical ways for you to turn what you’ve learned in class into practical skills while gaining exposure to how your chosen field operates. You’ll get to apply concepts from your coursework to projects, whether that involves working in a research lab, analyzing data, supporting clinical programs, or contributing to engineering solutions. This experience helps you build technical and professional skills while giving you concrete examples to include on your resume when applying for jobs or graduate school. For STEM students, internships are especially important because many employers expect familiarity with industry tools, research methods, or engineering workflows. 

Why should I do a STEM internship in college?

A STEM internship will help you figure out whether a specific field, such as biomedical research, engineering, or public health, is the right fit before you commit to a long-term career path. You will build skills that are relevant to your field, such as laboratory techniques, research writing, translational research practices, or working with technical systems. This kind of experience makes your resume more competitive and improves your chances of securing full-time roles or admission to graduate programs. You will also gain access to mentors who can support you through recommendations and future opportunities. 

In this blog, we’ve focused on STEM internships for undergraduates in Ohio, highlighting programs offered by research institutions, hospitals, government agencies, and independent organizations. These opportunities include structured research fellowships, clinical and community health internships, and technical roles that allow you to work on defined projects under professional supervision.

1. Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP)

Location: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH
Stipend: New Undergraduates: $7,500; Returning Undergraduates: $9,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~800 interns annually
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; U.S. citizens or dual citizens; at least 18 years old

NREIP places you in DoN laboratories such as the Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton (NAMRU Dayton) for a 10-week summer research experience focused on real-world defense-related STEM challenges. At NAMRU Dayton, you may engage with specialized facilities such as human-rated motion platforms or one of the few fully operational inhalation toxicology labs in the U.S., gaining exposure to highly specialized research environments. In addition to research, you’ll benefit from structured mentorship, group sessions, and networking opportunities with STEM professionals and fellow interns. The experience emphasizes practical skill development in interdisciplinary settings, with opportunities to observe or contribute to projects addressing aviation physiology, environmental hazards, and biomedical performance relevant to military operations.

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 per session
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, winter, spring, and fall
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort; Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November), and Spring (January)
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 initiative that pairs you with high-growth startups to tackle real-world STEM projects in artificial intelligence, software engineering, health tech, and environmental science. During your placement, you will code functioning software prototypes, analyze complex datasets, and conduct technical product research for your host company. Additionally, you will participate in weekly one-on-one coaching sessions and deliver a final presentation to showcase your tangible deliverables. A unique feature of this Harvard alumni-founded program is that you bypass standard corporate hierarchies to work directly alongside seasoned founders from networks like Y Combinator. By executing these hands-on activities, you rapidly develop core skills in computational analysis, technical communication, and applied project management. Apply now!

3. The Advanced Platform Technology Summer Internship Program (APT-SIP)

Location: Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, and other academic affiliates in Cleveland, OH
Stipend: Paid hourly, but the exact rate is not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically 10–15 students
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in a STEM degree program; have completed at least two years (4 semesters or 6 quarters) of undergraduate study; minimum 3.0 GPA; plan to return to an undergraduate degree program or start a graduate program in the fall after the internship

ATP-SIP is a 10-week, research-intensive internship where you will work on biomedical engineering projects at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and other academic affiliates. You will collaborate with a faculty investigator to design and complete a focused mini-research project in areas such as prosthetics, neural interfaces, health monitoring, or neurorehabilitation. Your work will involve applying concepts from engineering and materials science to clinically relevant problems affecting disabled veterans. The internship also includes group meetings, lectures, and laboratory visits, giving you exposure to multiple research environments and approaches. You will present your research at a summer symposium at the end of the internship, developing your ability to communicate technical findings. 

4. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program

Location: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), Dayton, Ohio
Stipend: $621.60/week for undergraduates with less than 60 semester credits; $870.40 for undergraduates who have earned more than 60 semester credits
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically includes 20–50 scholars
Dates: Summer, fall, and spring
Application Deadline: Summer: January 10; Fall: Mid-to-late May; Spring: Mid-to-late October
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with good academic standing, U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old. Check here for more information

The AFRL Scholars Program is a summer research internship where you will work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on STEM projects in areas such as aerospace systems, materials and manufacturing, and sensors. You will collaborate directly with AFRL scientists and engineers on research-based projects, which may include experimental testing, data analysis, or developing models to monitor turbine engine components. Depending on your placement, your work can involve topics such as fatigue and creep modeling, additive manufacturing materials, or real-time damage monitoring. Close mentorship is a core part of the program, allowing you to contribute to ongoing defense research while building technical and analytical skills.

5. Stone Laboratory Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Fellowship Program

Location: Gibraltar Island (Put-in-Bay harbor), Lake Erie, Ohio
Stipend: $5,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 8–12 students per year
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Undergraduates from any U.S. college or university (including international students enrolled at U.S. institutions); must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher

At the Stone Laboratory REU Fellowship, you spend eight weeks living on a Lake Erie island studying aquatic ecology, environmental policy, coastal wetlands, and limnology. Throughout the program, you will collect environmental data in the field, analyze samples using scientific equipment, troubleshoot experiments alongside a research advisor, and deliver a final presentation of your findings. The fellowship's isolated island setting requires you to be highly resourceful while investigating pressing Great Lakes issues like harmful algal blooms. By running your own project from start to finish, you will build critical skills in project management, hands-on scientific methodology, real-time problem-solving, and science communication.

6. Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE)’s Undergraduate Internships and Fellowships

Location: Multiple locations across the U.S., including Ohio
Stipend: Paid, exact amount may vary based on the internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 10–50 participants per site
Dates: Summer: Late May/June to August (10–12 weeks); Fall: August/September to December (16 weeks); Spring: January to May (16 weeks)
Application Deadline: Summer: Late January/Early February; Fall: Late May; Spring: Early October
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduate at an accredited U.S. college/university; minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale; U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents; at least 18 years old by the start of the appointment

This program offers undergraduate students STEM internships and fellowships at national laboratories and federal research facilities through ORISE. In this internship, you will work on real-world research projects aligned with your academic background, gaining hands-on experience in laboratory or technical environments. You will collaborate with mentors and researchers on scientific work that supports national science and technology initiatives. Opportunities are available across the year, including summer, fall, and spring terms, and may vary in duration depending on the specific placement. The internship also emphasizes networking with peers and professionals, helping you better understand research pathways in your field.

7. Cleveland Clinic’s Discovery Accelerator Summer Internship

Location: Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; limited cohort sizes
Dates: 10–12 weeks in the summer, typically, mid-May – early August
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students; at least 18 years old;  U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents

This internship allows you to spend 10 weeks working on biomedical research projects at the Cleveland Clinic through the Discovery Accelerator partnership with IBM. As part of this internship, you will apply computational approaches to advanced healthcare and life sciences research, with projects spanning areas such as quantum computing, digital health, and accelerated discovery. Your work may involve using high-performance computing tools, including artificial intelligence, hybrid cloud systems, and access to an on-site quantum computer. You will collaborate with researchers in an interdisciplinary environment that combines clinical expertise with advanced computing technologies.

8. The Cleveland & Columbus KUHR (C2KUHR) Summer Research Fellowship

Location: Research labs across Ohio
Stipend: $7,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; up to 5 students each year
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer between early June and late July / early August
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled at institutions in Cleveland or Columbus; must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents (Green Card holders)

This program enables you to spend eight weeks conducting biomedical research in laboratories across institutions such as Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, and affiliated hospitals. Your work will focus on areas such as kidney, urological, and hematological research, and may involve laboratory experiments, data analysis, and translational or clinical studies. You will work under the guidance of research mentors while developing skills in laboratory techniques, scientific writing, and critical evaluation of research literature. The program includes weekly journal clubs and seminars on topics such as translational research, scientific integrity, and effective research communication. You will present your work through research talks or poster sessions. 

9. College of Wooster Physics NSF-REU Program

Location: The College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio
Stipend: $6,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 8–10 students
Dates: May 26 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (freshmen through juniors); U.S. citizens or permanent residents; completed one year of introductory physics at the college level

In this program, you will dive into a nine-week research experience exploring complex topics like quantum optics, granular materials, nonlinear dynamics, and astrophysics. Throughout the summer, you will conduct original experimental and computational research in the lab alongside a dedicated faculty mentor. You will also participate in career-building workshops, author a formal paper summarizing your research findings, and present your work to the broader community at an end-of-summer poster session. A distinctly unique feature of this program is its welcoming environment for novice undergraduates, treating even first-year students as full co-discoverers and reviewing applications holistically without strict GPA cutoffs. You will ultimately develop essential skills in hands-on scientific methodology, computational data modeling, critical problem-solving, and professional science communication.

10. Battelle Internships and Co-Ops

Location: Primarily, Columbus, OH
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 150–200+ interns 
Dates: Summer internships are in May – August; Co-op positions are available in the Fall and Spring semesters 
Application Deadline: Summer & Spring Co-ops: late January and mid-February; Fall Co ops: Typically, May–June
Eligibility: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree; U.S. citizens or permanent residents

In this program, you will work in an intern or co-op position at Battelle, contributing to research and development projects across fields such as biology, chemistry, engineering, and data science. You will be placed on a team where you support ongoing projects through tasks such as laboratory work, data analysis, or technical problem-solving, depending on your role. You will work closely with experienced scientists and engineers, receiving direct feedback and coaching while contributing as an active team member. The program includes both summer internships and semester-long co-op opportunities, allowing you to gain experience over different timeframes. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, applying your academic knowledge to real-world scientific and technical challenges.

11. Case Western Reserve University’s Cancer-focused Summer Undergraduate Research (CanSUR)

Location: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 32 undergraduate students
Dates: 10 weeks in June – August
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Undergraduate students; must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents

In this program, you will be paired with a faculty mentor to carry out a research project related to cancer biology or treatment. You will first take part in a week of structured immersion sessions that will introduce you to core concepts in cancer research through lectures and facility tours. Throughout the program, you will attend weekly enrichment sessions focused on scientific communication, research ethics, and preparation for graduate or medical school. You will also interact with PhD students, postdocs, and clinicians during organized networking events that explore different career paths in oncology. The program will conclude with a formal presentation at the CanSUR Symposium, where you’ll present your research to peers and faculty.

12. Ohio 5-OSU Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)

Location: The Ohio State University (Columbus Campus), in-person residential experience
Stipend: $5,350
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; up to 30 interns
Dates: May 18 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current student at one of the Five Colleges of Ohio (The College of Wooster, Denison University, Kenyon College, Oberlin College, or Ohio Wesleyan University)

The Ohio 5-OSU SURE program is a 10-week partnership allowing you to conduct funded R1 university research across biochemistry, chemistry, epidemiology, mathematics, microbiology, physics, and statistics. Throughout the summer, you will work full-time inside an Ohio State University laboratory alongside senior faculty and graduate students. Beyond daily benchwork, you will participate in departmental journal clubs, deliver a four-minute progress talk, and showcase your findings at a formal capstone poster session. By running your own experiments using top-tier facilities, you will build critical skills in rigorous laboratory methodology, complex data analysis, and professional science communication. 

13. Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods (PRCHN) Internship Program

Location: Case Western Reserve University,  Cleveland, OH
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size varies
Dates: Summer: June – August (approximately 9 weeks); Fall/Spring: Full semester duration
Application Deadline: Summer: March 15 (Priority); Rolling thereafter; Fall/Spring: Applications accepted throughout the year (Rolling)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are at least 18 years old; minimum required GPA is 3.5

In this internship, you will work on public health research projects at the PRCHN, focusing on community health issues such as obesity, food access, and adolescent health behaviors. You will be assigned to a specific project where your work may involve field data collection, environmental surveillance, food retail audits, or data analysis. You will collaborate with public health professionals and community organizations, gaining exposure to how research is applied in real-world health initiatives. The program includes participation in meetings, seminars, and webinars, helping you understand research methods, health literacy, and the dissemination of public health information.

14. Cleveland Clinic’s Independent Research Opportunity for Undergraduate Students

Location: Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH
Stipend: Paid and unpaid options are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; individual program
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling; based on lab availability
Eligibility: Current undergraduate enrolled in an accredited college or university. Applicants must have a high school diploma, be 18+ years old, and typically must not require visa sponsorship

This independent research opportunity allows you to work in a biomedical research lab at the Cleveland Clinic by directly connecting with a faculty investigator whose work aligns with your interests. You will work under the guidance of a principal investigator in research areas such as cancer biology, genomic medicine, immunotherapy, neuroscience, or other biomedical topics. Your work may involve laboratory experiments, data analysis, and exposure to translational or clinical research workflows, depending on the lab you join. The experience is flexible and depends on securing a placement with a faculty mentor, allowing you to tailor your involvement to specific research interests.

15. Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Play Strong Internship

Location: Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically 2–4 interns per session
Dates: 12-week sessions in spring, summer, and fall
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students 

This 12-week program is focused on supporting a structured physical activity intervention for pediatric patients in a clinical setting. You will work with children and adolescents managing chronic conditions by assisting with group exercise sessions, conducting patient interviews, and helping guide goal-setting for behavior change. Your role will combine patient interaction with administrative responsibilities in data collection, research participation, and program design. You will collaborate with healthcare professionals and contribute to sessions that include both physical activity and education for patients and their families. This internship focuses on using play-based strategies to improve physical activity habits and patient engagement.

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