15 Science Research Internships for Undergraduates

Science research internships allow college students to learn more about their subject, conduct research in a professional setting, and network with professionals. Science research internships for undergraduates are offered in various fields within science, including biomedicine, engineering, astrophysics, medicine, marine biology, quantum physics, computer science, and more. These internships also allow you to collaborate with mentors and understand the applications of scientific research. 

Why should I do a science research internship as an undergraduate?

A science research internship allows you to gain experience in your field and learn how to present your work to an academic audience. You’ll understand research methodology, lab techniques, literature review, and the overall process of scientific enquiry. You’ll work alongside professional researchers, which can give you strong letters of recommendation when you apply to graduate school or research jobs. A lot of undergraduate opportunities are designed to help you explore academic pathways and provide guidance when you apply to graduate or PhD programs.

Below, we have listed 15 such science research internships for undergraduates.

1. Bioengineering Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (BE-SURE)

Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: Paid. Includes research budget. Amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive. 10 to 20 students
Dates: Nine weeks between early June and early August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: First year, sophomore, and junior undergraduate students

The Bioengineering Summer Undergraduate Research Experience is designed for undergraduates interested in gaining research experience in engineering and the life sciences. During the program, you will be part of a small cohort of students working on bioengineering research projects. Apart from research training, you will gain training in effectively communicating your research findings to an academic audience and in exploring academic and industry pathways within bioengineering. The program allows you to receive mentorship from Princeton bioengineering faculty, participate in activities, industry visits, and a tour of various labs within the campus.

2. Ladder’s University Internships

Location: Remote
Stipend: No stipend. Cost varies by program type. Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 10 percent. 70 to 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts across the year in winter, spring, summer, and fall
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring in January. Summer in May. Fall in September. Winter in November
Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students able to work 10 to 20 hours per week for 8 to 12 weeks

The Ladder University Internship Program is a fully remote, eight-week experience that pairs you with high-growth startups. You will explore diverse fields like finance, health tech, environmental science, engineering, fashion, deep tech, non-profits, consulting, mental health, artificial intelligence, and media. During the program, you will meet weekly with managers, define project deliverables, build tangible assets like market reports or apps, and present your final project to the company. Its unique dual-mentorship model stands out by providing you with personalized guidance from both a startup founder and a dedicated Ladder coach. You will finish the internship having mastered problem-solving, professional communication, and industry-specific technical skills. Apply now!

3. Stanford Summer Research Program-Amgen Scholars Program

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Stipend: $4,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Up to 38 students
Dates: June 20 to August 15
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or non graduating seniors enrolled in accredited four year colleges or universities. Must have at least 3 semesters or 4 quarters of completed college coursework by the application deadline

The Stanford Summer Research Program-Amgen Scholars Program is a fully funded research experience where you collaborate with Stanford faculty over 8 weeks to work on a research project. You will work in a chosen biological or biomedical field, including biochemistry, genetics, bioengineering, immunology, neuroscience, structural biology, cellular physiology, systems biology, and biomedical data science. You will have access to a professional research environment, where you will learn a broad range of research techniques and receive mentorship from professional researchers and lab mentors. The program includes professional development through workshops, faculty lectures, journal clubs, and guidance on applying to graduate and PhD programs. The research experience culminates in a research symposium.

4. National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates

Location: Multiple host institutions across the U.S. (each REU Site is based at a university or research facility)
Stipend: Paid. Amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive. 8 to 10 students
Dates: 8 to 10 weeks in the summer. Exact dates vary by site
Application Deadline: Between January and early March
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. Must be enrolled at accredited institutions and returning to undergraduate studies after the REU

The Research Experiences For Undergraduates program offers undergraduates the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research projects in STEM fields. Your research will be funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects are site-specific, where you'll undergo research training, receive mentorship, and collaborate with peers on research projects. The areas you can conduct research in include biomedical engineering, chemical and material science, electrical engineering, quantum computing, plasma astrophysics, marine biology, physics, chemistry, cybersecurity, computer science, nanotechnology, nanomaterials, and more. To apply to the program, you will need to apply directly through the REU site.

5. U.S. Department of Energy Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships

Location: DOE national laboratories and research facilities across the U.S.
Stipend: $650 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive. 80 to 100 or more interns per lab
Dates: Summer June 1 to August 7. Fall and spring cohorts also available
Application Deadline: Summer January 7. Fall May. Spring September
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed at least one semester or recent graduates within 2 years. Must be 18 or older. Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Must have completed at least 6 STEM credit hours and 12 total undergraduate credit hours

The Department of Energy offers science undergraduate laboratory internships for students looking to collaborate on research projects in the field of scientific impact and discovery.  The internship will provide you with exposure to an area of science and technology that will be part of the U.S. Department of Energy's missions. Over 10 weeks, you will receive mentorship from leading science researchers, learn research techniques within a professional laboratory, and learn how to work with scientific instruments. The internship offers professional development through workshops on scientific writing skills, technical skills, poster and oral presentation activities, scientific lectures, laboratory tools, and seminars.

6. Johns Hopkins Diversity Summer Internship Program

Location: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective. About 25 to 30 interns
Dates: May 31 to July 27
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed at least two years of study before the program start. Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents

This internship offers graduate-level research experience in biomedical and public health to interested undergraduates. Over eight weeks, you will work on a research project under the mentorship of a professional researcher, complete weekly assignments, and finish a research paper, which you will present at a culminating poster session. Participants have worked on projects such as public health and substance use behaviors, biomedical protein engineering and immunology, preclinical disease modeling in pulmonary medicine, and social determinants of health and cardiovascular disease. The program encourages applications from students of diverse backgrounds and ensures professional development through work on intercultural and value-based leadership, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills-based activities.

7. Shoals Marine Laboratory Undergraduate Research Group 

Location: Shoals Marine Laboratory, Appledore Island, ME and NH
Stipend: Paid. Amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive. Small cohort sizes
Dates: 3 to 10 weeks between late May and August
Application Deadline: Typically February or March
Eligibility: Current undergraduate college students. One internship application per year

The Shoals Marine Laboratories undergraduate research group program is designed for students seeking research experience in marine biology and related fields over the summer break. In the program, you will collaborate with researchers and scientists to conduct research, including experiments, ongoing discovery, and monitoring existing projects. The internship duration will vary according to your field of research, and past opportunities have included intertidal ecology, marine mammals, physical oceanography and ecology, seabird ecology and conservation, and gull population biology. Each program will allow you to engage in a wide range of topics, ranging from biological research to sustainable engineering to science education.

8. Advancing Cornell Career Experiences for Science Students

Location: Weill Cornell Medicine campus research labs, New York, NY
Stipend: $6,000 plus $500 travel expenses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 1 to July 31
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduate students. Must have completed at least two semesters with at least one remaining. Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Must have individual medical insurance for the program duration. Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher

The ACCESS summer internship program is designed for undergraduate students interested in microbiology and medical research to gain hands-on experience in a biomedical research laboratory. You will be placed in a lab to conduct research in fields including biochemistry and structural biology, neuroscience, pharmacology, physiology, molecular biology, microbial pathogenesis, computational biology, and medicine. The program provides insight into current developments in biomedical research and various pathways in the field through lectures, discussions, and guidance on applying to graduate schools. You can work on professional development through journal clubs, leadership work, and community-building activities during the program. You will present your work at a poster symposium at the program closing ceremony.

9. Georgia Tech Summer Undergraduate Research in Engineering

Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective. About 20 students
Dates: May 17 to July 24
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors. Must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher. Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Must plan to apply to graduate programs

The summer undergraduate research in engineering is designed for undergraduates interested in applying to graduate school for engineering and science. The internship lasts 10 weeks, during which you work with a faculty member on a research project in computing, engineering, or science. The program is designed to help you apply to graduate programs with weekly professional development sessions and graduate school preparation seminars. You'll also gain access to industry visits, collaborative activities, and graduate student mentorship. Before the end of the program, you are expected to draft a personal statement and then prepare an oral and poster research presentation for the final research symposium.

10. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Location: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, and Boulder, CO
Stipend: $7,810 plus limited housing assistance up to $4,500 and travel support up to $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive. 150 to 200 undergraduate students per summer
Dates: May 27 to August 7 for 11 week main session. June 8 to August 7 for 9 week option. June 8 to August 21 for offset 11 week option
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Undergraduate students age 18 or older. Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents

The National Institute of Standards and Technology offers a summer undergraduate research fellowship for students looking to gain research experience in STEM. You will work for 11 weeks in a laboratory environment and receive a stipend. As an intern, you will work alongside professional researchers to contribute to ongoing projects and learn research methodology. Interns are given significant agency to improve ongoing technology and contribute to research. Previous interns have worked on improving MRI technology, studied medications, and developed nanosized devices.

11. Rutgers Research Intensive Summer Experience (RISE)

Location: Rutgers University campus, New Brunswick, NJ
Stipend: $6,000 to $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive. 50 students
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer from June to August
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or non graduating seniors. Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher

The Research Intensive Summer Experience is designed for students looking to apply to graduate school and gain research experience by working alongside professional researchers. The program runs for 10 weeks, during which you will work as a research assistant and develop valuable skills in a professional laboratory. The experience is tailored for students looking to apply to graduate school, with opportunities for professional development, networking, and the development of scientific communication skills. Once you've completed your research project, you will create and present a poster of your findings at a final symposium.

12. Broad Summer Research Program

Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge and Boston, MA
Stipend: $5,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive. Approximately 15 to 20 students per year
Dates: June 1 to July 31
Application Deadline: January 11
Eligibility: Students majoring in physical, biological, or computer sciences, engineering, or mathematics. Must have a minimum 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Must show strong interest in pursuing PhD or MD PhD graduate study. Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and legally authorized to work in the U.S.

The Broad Summer Research Program is designed for undergraduates seeking experience in biomedical research and who want to apply to graduate programs. The program runs for 9 weeks, during which you will work on computational or experimental research across various scientific areas, ranging from oncology and infectious diseases to computational biology. The program is designed to help you explore scientific career pathways, develop professionally, and receive guidance on applying to graduate schools. You will also get to work on scientific communication and, at the program's conclusion, you will present and deliver an oral and poster presentation on your research work during the summer.

13. Microsoft Undergraduate Research Internship in Computing

Location: Microsoft Research labs in North America. Redmond, WA. New York City, NY. New England region
Stipend: Paid. Amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive. 3 to 5 students
Dates: 12 weeks between May or June and August
Application Deadline: Mid February
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors in a bachelor’s program in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, information science, or a related major. Must have at least two years of programming experience. Must have coursework in calculus and probability or statistics or machine learning or equivalent training

The Microsoft Undergrad Internship program is designed for highly motivated undergraduates seeking experience in computing research. During the 12-week internship, you will work alongside professional researchers in one of Microsoft's research labs on new and ongoing projects. Some of the research areas you can work on include artificial intelligence, economics, mathematics, algorithms, social sciences, programming languages, software engineering, human-computer interaction, and data platforms. You will also have access to professionals such as engineers, designers, doctoral researchers, and students, and will be encouraged to pursue a career pathway within computing fields.

14. Cancer-focused Summer Undergraduate Research (CanSUR)

Location: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive. 32 students
Dates: June to August for 10 weeks
Application Deadline: Mid January
Eligibility: Undergraduate students. Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents

The Cancer Focus Summer Undergraduate Research Program is funded by the National Institutes of Health and designed for undergraduates seeking a pathway in cancer research. The program takes place over 10 weeks, during which you will understand the current state of cancer research, work on research discovery techniques, and conduct your own research. The experience is designed to give you insight into new advances in cancer research and emerging technology. You'll also have access to professional development workshops, learn how to present your research findings, and gain access to applying to graduate or medical school programs.

15. University of Washington REU Program Quantum

Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $7,000 plus up to $600 travel allowance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive. 10 students
Dates: June 21 to August 29
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Undergraduate students. Must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents. Must have completed at least one undergraduate course in quantum information or quantum mechanics or equivalent by the start date. Must be age 18 or older by program start

The University of Washington offers a research program for undergraduate students seeking research experience in quantum information science and engineering. Over 10 weeks, you will work on research ranging from theory and application to experiments in the fields of quantum algorithms, cryptography, complexity theory, quantum hardware technologies, architectures, and more. The program also gives you the chance to learn from researchers' experience, attend events, and take part in industry visits. Selection is highly competitive and requires at least one undergraduate course in quantum information or quantum mechanics, a resume, a recommendation letter, essays, and a transcript.

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