15 Summer Internships for Physics Undergraduates

If you’re an undergraduate studying physics, gaining internship experience during college can strengthen your academic and professional profile. Internships help you apply theoretical concepts to challenges, allowing you to develop technical, analytical, and research-based skills. They also enhance your resume, demonstrate initiative, and make you a more competitive candidate for graduate programs and entry-level roles. For physics undergraduates, internships offer opportunities to explore specialized fields such as astrophysics, applied physics, materials science, or computational physics. Because physics spans both research and industry applications, exploring internships can help you identify career paths that align with your interests and strengths. 

Why should I do a physics internship in college?

A physics internship allows you to gain experience working with advanced equipment, research methodologies, and data analysis tools commonly used in scientific and industry settings. These experiences help you build technical and problem-solving skills that employers and graduate schools highly value. Participating in internships allows you to work alongside researchers, faculty, and professionals, helping you expand your professional network and potentially receive letters of recommendation. Most importantly, completing a physics internship can improve your employability after graduation by demonstrating your ability to apply complex scientific concepts in practical environments.

To help you get started, we’ve narrowed down a list of 15 summer internships for physics undergraduates. 

1. Undergraduate Complexity Research (UCR) Program

Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 3% – 5%; 10–12 students
Dates: May 31 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-January
Eligibility: Undergraduate students

The Undergraduate Complexity Research Program at the Santa Fe Institute is a full-time, residential summer research experience focused on studying complex systems across multiple disciplines. During the program, you collaborate with a research mentor to design and develop an independent project that combines theories, data, and methodologies from fields such as physics, natural sciences, and social sciences. You participate in seminars, workshops, and collaborative discussions that strengthen your research design, data analysis, and scientific communication skills. The program encourages you to explore large-scale scientific questions related to adaptive and evolving systems while working within a supportive research community.

2. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Remote (work from anywhere)
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students per session
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter); typically 8 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (Spring: January, Summer: May, Fall: September, Winter: November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks

In the Ladder University Internship Program, you collaborate remotely with a rapidly growing startup on practical projects spanning fields like technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. You are paired with a startup team where you work closely with a manager, while also receiving structured mentorship from a Ladder Coach. During the internship, you build hands-on skills by addressing real business needs instead of completing hypothetical assignments. You also become familiar with startup operations, including teamwork, communication, applied research, data analysis, and strategy development tied to real organizational needs. At the end, you formally present your work to the host organization. Apply now!

3. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)

Location: Purdue University (West Lafayette or Indianapolis campuses; remote option available for a limited period)
Stipend: $6,500 + $2,500 Housing Allowance for all Non-Purdue students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 150–200 students across various STEM disciplines
Dates: In-person program: June 1 – August 7; Remote: May 25–31
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled at Purdue University, other U.S. institutions, or international universities; first-time applicants; have completed at least one academic semester/quarter by application time; maintain undergraduate enrollment for at least one semester/quarter following the program; minimum 2.8/4.0 GPA

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program allows you to participate in an immersive research experience under the mentorship of faculty members and graduate student researchers. During the 11-week program, you will work on a research project using advanced tools and methodologies across engineering, science, or technology disciplines. Along with hands-on research work, you attend weekly professional development workshops that help you strengthen skills such as technical communication, research planning, and academic collaboration. You are required to prepare a final research report that documents your findings, reinforcing your ability to present and analyze scientific results.

4. RENEW Midwest Program

Location: Benedictine University, University of Michigan, and Black Hills State University (summer residential research hosted at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor)
Stipend: Paid, amount not publicly disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 3–5 students
Dates: 10-week summer research program beginning in June
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students, recent bachelor’s degree recipients

The RENEW Midwest Program allows you to participate in a collaborative, research-focused experience designed to prepare you for graduate studies in physics or astronomy. You will work alongside faculty researchers and graduate student mentors on advanced astrophysics and cosmology projects, such as modeling binary black hole mergers or analyzing survey data related to dark energy. You gain access to specialized research facilities and collaborate with scientists across partner institutions, including opportunities to engage with researchers affiliated with Fermilab. In addition to research work, you receive structured mentorship and guidance on applying to graduate programs in physics or astronomy. 

5. MPL Summer Internship Program

Location: Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego
Stipend: $18.25/hour + $6,000 to offset housing, meals, and transportation costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: Eight-week program beginning in June
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are undergraduate students in their second or third year, majoring in oceanography, applied mathematics, engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, geology, or related quantitative science fields; applicants must be at least 18 years old and able to work full-time

In this program, you complete an independent research project under the mentorship of leading scientists working in marine and physical sciences. You will engage in research that may involve analyzing oceanographic data, environmental modeling, engineering design, or conducting laboratory-based scientific investigations. Alongside your project work, you attend weekly seminars and interactive activities that help you understand current challenges and innovations in ocean and environmental science. You also gain exposure to interdisciplinary scientific approaches that combine physics, engineering, and environmental research. 

6. Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)

Location: Multiple sites across DOE National Laboratories
Stipend: $650/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 80–100+ interns per lab
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer (May – August)
Application Deadline: January 7
Eligibility: Undergraduate students currently enrolled full-time (or recent graduates within two years) with at least one completed semester of STEM coursework; 6 credit hours of postsecondary courses in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology disciplines, and 12 credit hours towards a degree by the time they apply to SULI; minimum 3.0 GPA, and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency; 18+

Through this program supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, you conduct full-time scientific research under the mentorship of laboratory scientists and engineers at national research facilities. You can work across physics-related and interdisciplinary areas such as accelerator technology, quantum science, nuclear science, materials research, and computational modeling. During the internship, you gain hands-on experience using advanced scientific equipment and research methodologies while contributing to projects that support national energy and scientific initiatives. You also participate in lectures, seminars, tours, and collaborative group activities that help you understand the broader applications of laboratory research.

7. Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Physics (REU)

Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Stipend: $6,000 + travel reimbursement up to $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 8–12 students
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in physics or related fields; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; students enrolled at the host university are not eligible

Supported by the National Science Foundation, this program allows you to conduct full-time experimental physics research alongside faculty mentors and research teams. You will be matched with projects based on your academic background and interests, with research areas including astrophysics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, high-energy physics, nonlinear dynamics, and atomic or optical physics. Throughout the program, you receive technical training through specialized workshops such as radiation and laser safety sessions and instrumentation classes that introduce machining and experimental tools. The internship also gives you access to advanced research facilities and university resources, helping you experience the environment of a major research institution.

8. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) at California Institute of Technology

Location: Pasadena, California
Stipend: $8,110
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically, 300–450 students
Dates: 10-week summer program starting June 16
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Continuing undergraduate students who are eligible to return for fall enrollment, have completed at least the second semester or third academic quarter, maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA (visiting students) or 2.0 GPA (Caltech students), and have no academic or disciplinary sanctions

In this program, you will begin by collaborating with your mentor to develop a research proposal, giving you exposure to the grant-writing and project planning process. During the program, you dedicate full-time effort to hands-on research, developing technical, analytical, and scientific communication skills while working in professional lab or research environments. You also attend weekly seminars featuring faculty and experts from Jet Propulsion Laboratory, along with workshops focused on research careers and graduate school preparation. The program concludes with you submitting a technical research paper and presenting your findings at a formal symposium, allowing you to gain experience sharing research with academic and professional audiences.

9. MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Stipend: No information available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically 80–100 students total
Dates: June 8 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomore, junior, or non-graduating senior with at least two academic years of college coursework completed; minimum 3.5 GPA; U.S. citizen, permanent resident, non-U.S. citizen with DACA, or international student with appropriate visa and work authorizations

Through the MIT Summer Research Program, you engage in full-time research under the guidance of faculty mentors while gaining exposure to graduate-level academic expectations. You will work on research projects that help you build technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills within professional research environments. Alongside your project work, you participate in weekly seminars focused on academic growth, professional development, and preparation for graduate school applications. The program also includes opportunities to prepare research abstracts, develop a research paper, and draft a graduate school statement of purpose with mentorship support. You present your research findings through a final poster presentation, allowing you to gain experience communicating your work to academic audiences.

10. Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Physics at Virginia Tech

Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Stipend: $600/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 8–10 students
Dates: May 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Undergraduate students attending a U.S. university; U.S. citizens or permanent residents

Through this REU program, you conduct independent research in neutrino physics while working closely with faculty mentors, assistant professors, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students. You participate in hands-on experimental and theoretical research, which may include designing and running experiments, analyzing data, developing computer codes, and applying advanced mathematical and analytical techniques. You will contribute to publishable research projects, allowing you to gain insight into graduate-level and professional scientific research. Throughout the program, you also develop written and oral presentation skills by preparing research findings for dissemination.

11. Open Quantum Initiative Undergraduate Fellowship

Location: Multiple host institutions across the United States through the Chicago Quantum Exchange network
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 25–30 students
Dates: May – August (dates vary by host institution)
Application Deadline: February 10
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students at a U.S. based accredited institution; have completed their freshman year by June with at least 4 undergraduate college courses of some combination of physics, mathematics, chemistry, engineering, and/or computer science; must be majoring or intending to major in physics, chemistry, materials science, mathematics, electrical engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, quantum science, philosophy, or a QISE related major

Through the Open Quantum Initiative Undergraduate Fellowship, you spend your summer working in person with research groups focused on quantum science and engineering. You will contribute to projects across areas such as quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing, and quantum materials while gaining exposure to experimental, computational, and theoretical research methods. The fellowship emphasizes mentorship and collaboration, allowing you to work closely with researchers across academic institutions, national laboratories, and industry partners. You can expect to strengthen your research literacy and technical skills while exploring real-world applications of quantum research in fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and drug design. The program also includes industry site visits to organizations like IBM Research. 

12. US CMS Summer Undergraduate Research Internship

Location: Multiple U.S. host institutions affiliated with the CMS experiment, including Fermilab
Stipend: $600/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, 18–20 interns
Dates: May 26 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students enrolled at an accredited U.S. institution who have completed at least one year of study, are at least 18 years old, and are pursuing majors such as physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, chemistry, or related fields.

Through the US CMS Summer Undergraduate Research Internship, you work on a 10-week research project under the mentorship of scientists studying particle physics and advanced instrumentation. You will work on computational and data science projects, analyzing data generated from experiments at the Large Hadron Collider operated by CERN. The program allows you to collaborate with university faculty, national laboratory scientists, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students, helping you build technical and research skills in instrumentation, technology development, and scientific computing. You gain experience working with large datasets while strengthening your understanding of fundamental particle interactions. 

13. Perimeter Institute Undergraduate Summer School & PSI Start Research Internship

Location: Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo, Canada
Stipend: Summer school is fully funded (travel, accommodation, meals covered); Stipend paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~30 students for Summer School; around 10 students for internship
Dates: Summer School: 2 weeks in mid-June; Internship: May 4 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students planning to apply to a graduate physics program starting later, with prior knowledge of classical mechanics and quantum mechanics

Through this program, you begin by attending a two-week intensive summer school where you explore advanced topics in modern theoretical physics through lectures, researcher presentations, and collaborative discussions. You learn directly from leading scientists while strengthening collaboration and research communication skills in a multidisciplinary academic environment. If selected for the PSI Start Research Internship, you will continue with an in-person research placement where you work alongside researchers on theoretical physics projects and potentially contribute to publishable research. You gain exposure to seminars, discussion groups, and mentorship opportunities that provide insight into graduate-level research expectations.

14. Summer Research Programs (REU/FRI) at Brigham Young University

Location: Provo, Utah
Stipend: Paid, amount not publicly disclosed + $1,500 for housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; around 20 students
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students enrolled at an accredited U.S. college or university; at least one semester remaining after the program; REU is open only to U.S. citizens or permanent residents; FRI is open to international students

In this program, you will conduct research alongside faculty mentors in areas such as optics, computer modeling, quantum information, particle theory, astronomy, acoustics, and solid-state materials. You work on guided yet independent projects that help you develop laboratory, computational, and analytical research skills. Throughout the experience, you collaborate with faculty, peers, and research teams while gaining exposure to the full research process, including data collection, experimentation, and analysis. You also have opportunities to present your research findings, and selected participants may receive funding to present their work at regional or national conferences.

15. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: Fairfax, Virginia (George Mason University and partner institutions)
Cost: $25 application fee; $1,299 tuition for 3 college credits (fee waivers available based on financial need)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 10%; 290–300 interns
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students who have not graduated from university; minimum age 15 by June 18 (16+ by June 18 required for wet-lab research roles)

The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program at George Mason University allows you to work one-on-one with faculty mentors on research projects across multiple STEM disciplines, including physics and closely related scientific fields. You will gain experience using advanced research tools, laboratory equipment, and computational technologies while developing your scientific writing, data analysis, and communication skills. You participate in discussion forums, career exploration sessions, and mentorship meetings that introduce you to potential academic and professional pathways in STEM. The program concludes with a formal poster presentation where you share your research findings with faculty, mentors, and fellow participants.

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