15 Research Internships for Undergraduates
Internships bridge the gap between academic learning and professional work, giving college students work experience that employers value. An internship allows you to test a career path while building your resume with skills and accomplishments beyond coursework. This experience improves your employability, shows work readiness to recruiters, and helps you build a professional network.
Why pursue a research internship in college?
For students interested in research, internships are a great starting point. Research internships offer experience in data analysis, experimental design, software development, policy research, and technical writing. These skills are often required for graduate programs and entry-level research roles. This experience boosts your post-graduation prospects and shows employers you can handle complex challenges. The network you build can also lead to strong recommendation letters for graduate school and career opportunities.
Below are 15 research internships for undergraduates!
1. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
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); apply here
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week, fully remote experience that pairs you directly with high-growth startups to work on meaningful, real-world initiatives. You will tackle concrete activities like developing software features, conducting market research, or creating content strategies across diverse fields such as AI, finance, and health tech. What sets this program apart is the access to elite mentorship, as you work alongside founders with backgrounds at firms like Google or McKinsey to complete a project that actually impacts the company. Additionally, a dedicated "Ladder Coach" supports your professional growth through regular check-ins. By the end, you gain both the technical know-how and the adaptive problem-solving skills needed to thrive in a fast-paced career.
2. Texas State University (TXST)’s Opportunities for Undergraduate Research in Human Development & Family Sciences (OUR HDFS) Fellowship Program
Location: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Stipend: $5,625 plus travel expenses and meals
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 12 undergraduate students per academic year
Dates: October 1 – May 15
Application Deadline: August 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in Human Development & Family Sciences, psychology, education, sociology, or related fields (preference will be given to HDFS majors who have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above) | Must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
OUR HDFS Fellowship Program is a two-semester, paid research fellowship where you engage in supervised research alongside faculty and graduate student mentors on the TXST campus. Depending on your placement, you may work in labs such as the Student Success Lab, the Dating and Couple Relationships Lab, or Research in Social Cognitive Development, contributing to ongoing projects in human development and family sciences. You may gain hands-on experience in research design, data collection, collaboration, and professional communication while gaining firsthand insight into graduate student life and academic career pathways. Additionally, social and mentorship activities will facilitate networking opportunities between fellows.
3. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)
Location: One-site at one of the 17 participating DOE laboratories/facilities across the U.S.
Stipend: $650/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 80 to 100+ interns per lab
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer (May – August) or 16 weeks during a Fall or a Spring semester term (August – December or January – May)
Application Deadline: October 1 (Spring Cohort) | January 7 (Summer Cohort) | May (Fall Cohort)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited institution | Must have completed at least one semester of college, 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 | Required minimum cumulative GPA is 3.0 | Must be at least 18 years old | Must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
SULI is a 10 or 16-week, on-site research experience hosted at one of 17 DOE national laboratories across the U.S. Throughout the internship, you will work under the guidance of a scientist or engineer on a research project aligned with DOE mission areas such as science, engineering, or technology. Your work may involve data analysis, experimental research, or applied technical projects using advanced laboratory facilities and scientific instruments. Alongside your research, you will participate in professional development activities such as laboratory tours, scientific seminars, and technical writing or presentation workshops. You will be required to submit a formal research report and a general audience abstract.
4. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: AFRL labs across the U.S.
Stipend: Stipend varies based on education level and internship location; check here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies by year and location based on available funding and lab capacity
Dates: Summer, Fall, and Spring cohorts available
Application Deadline: Varies based on the cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with good academic standing | Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 is highly preferred | Must be U.S. citizens | Must be at least 16 years old (at least 18 years for California locations | Check here for more information
The AFRL Scholars Program is a paid, in-person research internship where you work directly with AFRL scientists and engineers on active STEM projects in the U.S. Air Force research facilities. Depending on your assignment, your project may focus on space systems and spacecraft autonomy, artificial intelligence for flight vehicles, or optical and sensor technologies. Your work may include experimental testing, data analysis, software development, or modeling and optimization of algorithms and hardware. You will begin with orientation and site-specific training that introduces you to laboratory practices, safety protocols, and research tools used by your host team. Regular meetings with your mentor and research group will help track your progress and technical development throughout the internship.
5. Stanford Engineering’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Bay Area
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 14 students
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising college juniors or non-graduating seniors enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree at a non-Stanford, accredited public or private college or university in the U.S. (full-time community college students in their transfer year are also eligible to apply | Must be at least 18 years old | Minimum GPA of 3.0 | Must show demonstrable interest in pursuing a PhD in an engineering field
SURF Bay Area is an eight-week, in-person research experience based in Stanford Engineering laboratories. In this program, you will work under the guidance of a faculty mentor and graduate student researchers on an engineering research project. Depending on your placement, projects may involve experimental testing, data analysis, or computational modeling. Throughout the program, you will gain exposure to research methods and tools commonly used in graduate-level engineering research. You will also participate in seminars and graduate school preparation sessions that introduce you to academic pathways, research communication, and the graduate school admission process. The experience concludes with a research symposium.
6. Penn State’s Undergraduate Research Internship: Community-Based Coaching & Health Interventions
Location: The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Stipend: $20/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 2–4 interns per semester
Dates: January 24 – May 15
Application Deadline: Late January
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in any major related to kinesiology, health, psychology, neuroscience, or similar fields
Penn State’s Undergraduate Research Internship: Community-Based Coaching & Health Interventions is a paid, part-time research experience where you work with the Lion Health Lab to support sport and fitness-based health programs in community and gym-based settings. You will assist with coaching and program delivery, participant engagement, and the implementation of research protocols tied to physical activity, mental health, and family-based health promotion. Your work may include supporting data collection through surveys, observational measures, and wearable devices, as well as managing session logistics and recordkeeping. You will receive direct mentorship from Dr. Janette Watkins and graduate student researchers, along with training in human subjects research and community engagement practices.
7. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: NASA centers and facilities across the U.S.
Stipend: Varies based on the internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; approximately 2,000 – 2,500 interns per year across all sessions and centers
Dates: Summer: 10 weeks; Fall/Spring: 16 weeks
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27; Fall: May 22; Spring: September
Eligibility: College students who are at least 16 years old | Must be U.S. citizens | Required minimum GPA is 3.0/4.0 | Check individual internship opportunities here for project-specific prerequisites
NASA’s OSTEM offers paid research internships where you work at a NASA center alongside scientists, engineers, and technical staff. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to projects in areas such as Earth system science, space physics, planetary science, aeronautics, biomedical research, or software development. Your work may include data analysis, laboratory or field-based research, software or instrument support, and participation in active mission or program teams. You will be paired with a professional mentor who will provide technical guidance and integrate you into the daily workflow of a NASA research team. Many internships include opportunities to participate in lectures, site tours, or team meetings.
8. Sandia National Laboratories Internships
Location: Virtual or in person at Sandia National Laboratories sites in Albuquerque, NM, or Livermore, CA
Stipend: ≤ 60 completed college units: $21.90 – $25.93; ≥ 61 completed college units: $27.88 – $33.01
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; over 2,000 interns annually across all locations
Dates: Year-round; summer and academic term options available
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the term and internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited college, university, or high school | Must be at least 16 years old | Required minimum cumulative GPA is 3.0/4.0 | Some internship positions are only open to U.S. citizens
Sandia National Laboratories Internships are paid research and technical placements where you work under the guidance of a Sandia mentor on real-world projects that support national security and scientific research. Depending on your assignment, you may work in areas such as cybersecurity, engineering design, predictive simulation, remote-sensing technologies, physical sciences, or software development. Your work may include activities like experimental testing, data analysis, coding, and the use of state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. You will be part of a research team and receive supervision and feedback from scientists and engineers throughout the internship. Many placements also include access to technical seminars, laboratory tours, and professional development workshops.
9. NIH Summer Internship Program (NIH SIP)
Location: Several NIH campuses across the U.S., including Maryland, Montana, and North Carolina
Stipend: Between $3,010 – $3,310 depending on tenure as an undergraduate
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, 60–70 interns
Dates: 8 consecutive weeks in the summer (May – September)
Application Deadline: Mid-February
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time in an accredited community college, college, or university | Must be at least 18 years old by September 30 | Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident | Must have a permanent home address within 40 miles of an NIH campus
As part of the NIH SIP, you will work within a research group led by a Principal Investigator in the NIH Intramural Research Program. You will contribute to ongoing projects in areas such as biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences, as well as fields like engineering, epidemiology, computational science, and chemistry. You will also take part in professional development sessions that address research ethics, scientific communication, and career planning in healthcare and research fields. Throughout the internship, you will get to interact with researchers and fellow interns during seminars and educational events across NIH campuses. The internship concludes with a summer poster session or research presentation.
10. American Bar Foundation (ABF)’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program
Location: Hybrid, with in-person sessions at ABF offices in Chicago
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 4–5 students
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students currently enrolled in a U.S. college or university | Must have completed at least two years of their undergraduate program, but have not yet received their bachelor’s degree | Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
The ABF’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program is an eight-week research experience where you work alongside ABF Research Professors on sociolegal and social science research projects. You will contribute to ongoing research through tasks such as archival research, literature reviews, and qualitative data coding, or you may develop an independent project with the help of your mentor. Mentorship from faculty will guide your approach to research design, methodology, and academic writing throughout the program. You will participate in weekly seminars, guest talks, and site visits that introduce you to the intersection of law, social science, and legal institutions in real-world settings.
11. Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP)
Location: Department of the Navy (DoN) laboratories across the U.S.
Stipend: $7,500 for new undergraduate students and $9,000 for returning students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; over 800 placements in 62 laboratories around the country
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year college or university (students graduating the spring semester before the internship or in the winter after are not eligible to apply) | Must be U.S. citizens | Some labs may accept permanent residents and/or students attending two-year colleges in relevant majors who meet the credit requirements; check individual lab pages here for other lab-specific exceptions and prerequisites
NREIP is a 10-week, paid summer research internship where you work in a DoN laboratory under the guidance of a scientist or engineer. You will contribute to ongoing projects in areas such as engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, physics, materials science, oceanography, or data and systems engineering. You will be paired with a professional mentor and take part in technical meetings, lab tours, and structured professional development activities. Many placements also offer opportunities to observe real-world applications of research through site visits or interactions with operational teams. You might even have the chance to present your work to peers and DoN staff at the end of the internship.
12. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)’s Undergraduate Student Internship Program
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Stipend: Varies according to multiple factors; more details here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; roughly 1,800–2,000 interns annually across all levels
Dates: Internships are available throughout the year
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in at least 12 semester credit hours (or full-time equivalent) in an accredited degree program (or international equivalent) | Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75/4.0 | Must pass a pre-employment drug test
The LANL Undergraduate Student Internship Program places you in research and technical teams that support the lab’s scientific and national security missions. Depending on your internship, you may contribute to projects in areas such as physics, chemistry, materials science, earth and environmental science, applied mathematics, computer science, or engineering. You will work under the mentorship of staff scientists and engineers on tasks that may involve experimental design, data analysis, systems modeling, laboratory experiments, or fieldwork. You will also participate in team meetings and professional activities that will introduce you to how multidisciplinary research teams operate within a national laboratory setting.
13. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Lurie Center for Autism’s Summer Undergraduate Research Internships
Location: MGH Lurie Center for Autism, Lexington, MA
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; small cohorts
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Rising college juniors and seniors (exceptional rising sophomores will also be considered) majoring in psychology, biology, neuroscience, or pre-med studies
The MGH Lurie Center for Autism’s Summer Undergraduate Research Internships place you in a hospital-based environment focused on autism spectrum disorder across clinical, preclinical, and translational areas. You will collaborate with a faculty mentor on a defined project, contributing to tasks such as participant recruitment, biospecimen handling, data management, and study design. Weekly seminars introduce you to core research methods and current topics in autism science. You will also gain exposure to clinical settings by observing clinical care in areas such as neurology and psychiatry. The internship concludes with a formal presentation of your work to Lurie Center researchers and peers.
14. The Office of Defense Services (ODS)’s College Internship Program
Location: ODS offices in New Castle (Wilmington), Kent (Dover), and Sussex (Georgetown)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; no fixed cohorts
Dates: Internships are available throughout the year, including Spring (February – May), Summer (June – August), and Fall (September – December)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring: January; Summer: Mid-February; Fall: August
Eligibility: All undergraduate students who pass a criminal background check
The ODS College Internship Program places you in public defender offices across Delaware, where you observe and support criminal defense work serving adults and youth who cannot afford legal representation. Depending on your assignment, your tasks may include legal research and writing, document review, and assisting with post-deposition work and Second Chance Litigation projects. You will observe court proceedings and shadow defense attorneys to understand how cases move through the criminal justice system. You will complete an independent research project designed to advance public defense practices and improve client resources. Your work also involves collaborating with ancillary professionals and participating in community engagement efforts that support holistic defense practices.
15. Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Ai2) Internships
Location: Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Ai2), Seattle, WA (internship opportunities are also available in Berkeley, CA)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; 30–50 interns
Dates: Year-round; typically 12-weeks long
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate students currently enrolled in a degree program | Must be eligible to work in the U.S.
Ai2 Internships give you the chance to work within a research or engineering team focused on large language models, machine learning systems, and open-source AI tools. You will work on projects that may involve training and evaluating models, designing benchmarks, developing software for experimentation, or contributing to applications in areas such as natural language processing and Earth observation. Each intern is paired with a mentor and contributes directly to an active research project, with opportunities to submit their work for potential publication. You will collaborate with researchers and engineers through team meetings and technical discussions.
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