15 STEM Internships for Undergraduates in Rhode Island

Doing an internship is one of the best ways for college students to get a head start on their careers because it bridges the gap between classroom learning and the professional world. By interning, you gain practical experience in a field you care about, allowing you to test your future career before graduating. Along the way, you build your resume and enhance your professional profile with achievements. This exposure not only helps you develop essential workplace skills and a valuable network of contacts, but it also boosts your overall employability.

Why should I do a STEM internship in college?

Employers often look for candidates who have experience applying technical knowledge, collaborating on projects, and working in professional environments. Internships can help you develop familiarity with research methods, laboratory equipment, data analysis tools, or engineering processes. In many cases, you get to collaborate with experienced mentors, researchers, and professionals who can guide your academic and career decisions. Additionally, STEM Internships also allow you to explore different areas within STEM, helping you determine which specialties align with your interests before committing to graduate study or a full-time role.

To help you learn more about these options, we have compiled a list of 15 STEM internships for undergraduates in Rhode Island.

1. RI-INBRE Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

Location: Primarily at labs at URI and Brown, RI
Stipend: Up to $6,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 100 students
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are Rhode Island residents or undergraduate students at a Rhode Island college or university enrolled in a STEM field

In this program, you will work full-time in a research lab on projects related to biomedical and life sciences topics, including molecular biology, pharmacology, bioinformatics, and health sciences. You will also conduct laboratory research, learn experimental techniques, and participate in training sessions on topics such as research ethics, science communication, and applying to graduate school. Additionally, you will work closely with a faculty mentor and research team while contributing to ongoing biomedical research projects. The program also includes professional development activities and networking with other student researchers. The experience concludes with a research poster presentation at the RI-INBRE SURF Symposium, where you will share your project findings.

2. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort – spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 8–12 weeks, devoting 10–20 hours/week

The Ladder University Internship Program is a virtual internship that matches university students with startup companies to work on defined projects over eight weeks. You are paired with a startup founder or company mentor and contribute to a project related to your academic interests. The topics covered may include software engineering, machine learning, finance, environmental science, consulting, or media. Your work may include tasks such as market research, product development support, coding features, analyzing data, or developing strategy materials, depending on the needs of the host company. The program typically includes regular meetings with a company mentor to review progress and discuss project goals. During the internship, you work on specific projects that are presented to the company at different stages of the program. Apply now!

3. Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP)

Location: NUWC Division Newport, Rhode Island
Stipend: New Undergraduates: $7,500; Returning Undergraduates: $9,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~800 interns annually 
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer (typically starting between May and June)
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: Must be sole U.S. citizens (Dual citizens/Permanent residents not accepted); rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors at a 4-year accredited college/university; at least 31 credits by the start of the internship; majoring in a STEM discipline relevant to undersea warfare and Navy research; eligible to obtain a Secret security clearance

In this internship, you immerse yourself in defense-critical topics like underwater acoustics, sonar systems, and autonomous undersea vehicles. During this 10-week program, you will conduct laboratory experiments, analyze complex acoustic data, and write code to simulate underwater environments. You will also help build and test physical prototypes for actual naval hardware. What makes this internship unique is your direct access to highly specialized naval research facilities and the opportunity to work alongside senior military scientists. By the end of the summer, you will have developed practical skills in systems engineering, data analysis, and technical problem-solving.

4. Amgen Undergraduate Internship and Co-op Program

Location: West Greenwich, Rhode Island (ARI Operations Facility)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 15–30 interns
Dates: Summer Internships: Typically 10–12 weeks (May/June – August); Co-ops: Extended 6-month or 1-year terms 
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Must be 18 years or older; Enrolled full-time in an accredited Bachelor’s degree program; Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; Must have completed at least one year of study; Must be returning to school for at least one semester following the internship

At Amgen’s West Greenwich site, the Undergraduate Internship and Co-op Program lets you explore the world of making medicines through roles in engineering, quality testing, and factory operations. You will spend your time running laboratory tests, fixing equipment issues, and working with different teams on production projects. A unique part of this program is the personal mentorship, where experienced professionals help you learn the ropes of the industry. You also get to share your project results with company leaders, giving you great experience in professional speaking and high-level visibility. This experience gives you a clear, hands-on understanding of how modern medicines are safely created for patients.

5. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships in Oceanography (SURFO)

Location: URI, Bay Campus in Narragansett, RI
Stipend: $600/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~10–12 students per summer
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 7
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; students with extensive research experience are discouraged from applying, and University of Rhode Island students are not eligible

You will work with faculty and graduate student mentors at the university’s Graduate School of Oceanography on research projects related to marine environments and ocean processes. Research topics include physical, biological, chemical, and geological oceanography, as well as areas such as geophysics, atmospheric chemistry, marine biodiversity, ocean engineering, and remote sensing. During the program, you contribute to research activities such as laboratory experiments, field sampling, numerical modeling, instrument development, and data analysis. Some projects also include fieldwork on Narragansett Bay or participation in a research cruise as part of data collection.

6. Infineon Technologies Analog Design Internship

Location: Warwick and North Kingstown, Rhode Island (Hybrid options available)
Stipend: $27–$36.50/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 5–15 interns per site
Dates: Summer: Late May/Early June – August (10–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Undergraduates currently enrolled in a BS or MS program in Electrical Engineering; coursework in Analog/Mixed-Signal design and proficiency in Cadence Virtuoso required

In this internship, you will dive into the core of analog and mixed-signal circuit design for power management solutions. Throughout the program, you will design and validate IP blocks, provide critical layout guidance to physical designers, and execute top-level simulation verifications. You will also get hands-on experience in the lab, using oscilloscopes and signal analyzers to characterize mixed-signal devices alongside test engineers. The internship offers the chance to collaborate directly with industry experts on real-world power integrated circuits that actively drive global energy efficiency. By the end of your time there, you will have developed highly technical skills in CMOS applications, circuit simulation, and industry-standard EDA tools.

7. The University of Rhode Island – NSF REU Plastics

Location: University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Stipend: $7,000 + up to $500 for travel expenses 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~10 undergraduate students per summer 
Dates: May 25 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduates pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree and who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or U.S. nationals

The University of Rhode Island Plastics Initiative REU is a summer research program focused on interdisciplinary research related to plastic pollution and sustainability. Through the program, you work with faculty and graduate mentors on research projects that examine the environmental, technological, and societal challenges associated with plastic waste. Research topics include detecting plastics across different scales, developing technologies for removing and recycling plastics, studying ecological and human health impacts of microplastics, and analyzing policy or economic strategies to reduce plastic pollution. You also participate in research activities such as laboratory experiments, environmental sampling, experimental design, and data analysis related to plastics in marine and coastal systems.

8. Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Location: Brown University, the University of Rhode Island, and other affiliated colleges in Rhode Island
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~8–16 undergraduate awards per year 
Dates: Summer: 10 weeks (Approx. June – August); Academic Year: Fall/Spring
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens, enrolled at a Rhode Island–based institution, working with a faculty advisor, and conducting research related to NASA priorities

In this program, you conduct a faculty-mentored research project connected to topics relevant to NASA missions and research priorities. Projects may explore areas such as aerospace engineering, planetary science, Earth observation, atmospheric science, robotics, or space-related data analysis. You work with a faculty advisor to design and carry out a research project during the summer or academic year. Activities typically include developing a research proposal, conducting experiments or data analysis, and documenting your findings. You will also have the opportunity to present your work through a research poster at the Rhode Island Space Grant Spring Symposium.

9. Sea Grant Community Engaged Internship

Location: Narragansett, RI (URI Bay Campus) and various coastal partner sites throughout Rhode Island
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 1–2 interns
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Full-time Rhode Island-based undergraduate students at a 2- or 4-year college; relevant major (STEM, Policy, Education, or Communications)

The Rhode Island Sea Grant Community Engaged Internship is a summer internship that places undergraduate students with mentors working on research, outreach, education, or communication projects related to coastal and marine communities. You will be matched with professionals such as Sea Grant extension staff, researchers, community organizations, or aquaculture partners working on coastal issues. The areas of study typically include topics such as fisheries, marine ecosystems, coastal management, aquaculture, environmental communication, and community-based marine research. You will also contribute to project activities that may include field research, data collection, outreach initiatives, or educational programming in coastal communities. 

10. STAR (Student Training and Research) Program

Location: Labs at Bryant University, Providence College, Rhode Island College, Roger Williams University, Johnson & Wales University, or Salve Regina University
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 100+ students annually 
Dates: Mid-May 26 – End of July
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled at Bryant University, Providence College, Rhode Island College, Roger Williams University, and Salve Regina University; enrolled in a STEM field; US Citizen or Permanent Resident; no other on-campus jobs during the period

In this program, you work with a faculty mentor at prominent Rhode Island institutions on a laboratory-based research project. Research topics typically fall within biomedical and life sciences fields, including areas such as molecular biology, cell biology, biotechnology, and health sciences. During the program, you will conduct full-time research while contributing to activities such as laboratory experiments, data collection, and analysis related to your project. You also get to participate in professional development sessions organized through the Rhode Island IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence. The program connects undergraduate researchers across multiple institutions working on biomedical research projects within the RI-INBRE network. At the end of the program, you present your research.

11. Aspen Aerogels Controls and Automation Engineering Internship

Location: East Providence, Rhode Island (Manufacturing Facility)
Stipend: $25–$30/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 1–3 per specific engineering department
Dates: Approximately 10–12 weeks; May/June to August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates (completed at least 2 years of a 4-year degree), majoring in Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering; knowledge of control systems/PLCs

In this internship, you will engage in sustainable aerogel manufacturing by supporting advanced plant operations. You will cover critical topics like industrial automation, Distributed Control Systems (DCS), continuous improvement, and hazardous environment safety protocols. You will optimize existing control systems, monitor performance metrics to troubleshoot issues, and author engineering documents such as Functional Requirement Specifications. You will also evaluate and integrate new technologies that shape the facility's long-term vision. Ultimately, you will gain highly marketable skills in data-driven problem-solving, technical project management, and object-oriented software development.

12. Undergraduate Research – Brown Computer Science

Location: Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically 10–15 for specific REU sites
Dates: Summer: Early June – Early August (8–10 weeks); also available during the Academic Year
Application Deadline: Summer: February 2; Fall: April 22
Eligibility: Undergraduate students from Brown University and visiting students from other universities

In this program, you will work with professors and research groups on ongoing projects in areas such as machine learning, computer vision, robotics, natural language processing, data management, computer graphics, cybersecurity, and distributed systems. You typically join a research group led by a faculty member and contribute to research tasks such as designing algorithms, developing software systems, analyzing datasets, or conducting experimental studies, depending on the project. Research can be pursued through independent study courses, paid research assistant positions, or undergraduate research funding programs. You will also have the opportunity to work with graduate students and interdisciplinary research centers connected to fields like neuroscience, computational biology, and visualization. 

13. Brown University – Voss Fellows Program

Location: Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, Brown University, Providence, RI
Stipend: $5,000 (domestic projects), $6,500 (international projects), $2,000 for research expenses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 5–10 students per year
Dates: 10 weeks of mentored research in the summer, followed by professional development seminars throughout the academic year
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current Brown sophomores or juniors; international students can apply, but tax deductions may apply if their country of citizenship does not have a tax treaty with the U.S.

The Voss Fellows Program at Brown University is an undergraduate research fellowship focused on environmental, climate, and sustainability research. Through the program, you will design and conduct an independent research project under the mentorship of a faculty member affiliated with the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society. Projects can draw from fields such as environmental science, ecology, climate policy, public health, engineering, economics, and the humanities, and they primarily address environmental or sustainability challenges. During the academic year, you participate in seminars that explore topics such as science communication, research presentation, and environmental engagement.

14. University of Rhode Island – Undergraduate Research and Innovation 

Location: University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Stipend: Up to $1,000 for individual projects; up to $1,200 for two students; up to $1,400 for a three-student team
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Projects run during the Fall, Spring, or Summer (Summer fellowships are 10–14 weeks)
Application Deadline: Late October (for Fall cycle) and Late March (for Spring cycle)
Eligibility: All URI undergraduates in good standing; requires a faculty sponsor for the project

The University of Rhode Island Undergraduate Research and Innovation program is a university initiative that supports undergraduate research and creative scholarship across multiple academic fields. As part of the program, you can design and carry out independent or faculty-mentored research projects during the academic year or summer. Projects span disciplines such as environmental science, engineering, biomedical research, marine science, social sciences, and the humanities. You typically work with a faculty mentor to develop a research question, design a study or project plan, and carry out activities such as data collection, laboratory analysis, field research, or archival work, depending on your field.

15. Brown University Health Student Internship in Audiology

Location: Brown University Health, Outpatient Rehabilitation Services (Providence, RI area)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort sizes
Dates: Semester-long (Fall, Spring, or Summer terms)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; students should email the coordinator at least one semester in advance of their desired start date
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students looking for observation experience in the field of audiology; a formal clinical contract must be on file between Brown University Health and the student’s college/university

The Brown University Health Student Internship in Audiology offers a semester-long observational experience if you’re interested in learning what clinical audiologists do. You will cover topics ranging from pediatric and adult hearing evaluations to daily clinic operations. During the semester, you will observe a variety of audiology appointments, assist the staff with new clinic initiatives, complete audiology-centered projects, and help manage daily administrative tasks. This program is highly formalized and requires a direct clinical contract between the hospital and your university before you can even begin. Ultimately, you will build strong clinical observation skills, a practical understanding of patient care, and hands-on experience in healthcare administration.

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