20 STEM Internships for College Students
If you are a college student interested in STEM, consider doing an internship to explore the professional side of the field. STEM internships for college students provide an opportunity to strengthen your resume, build credible experience, and stand out in an increasingly competitive job market. By working in professional environments, you learn workplace expectations, refine your interests, and improve your overall employability after graduation.
Why should I do a STEM internship in college?
If you are interested in STEM fields, internships are especially valuable as they provide the opportunity to engage with the applications of complex concepts and technologies. STEM Internships for college students can help you explore specializations, understand industry demands, and make informed decisions about your future career path. A STEM internship can help you get your foot in the door, especially if you want to work in a highly competitive field like software engineering.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of the 20 best STEM internships for college students. This selection focuses on programs that provide substantial learning across core STEM disciplines.
1. MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Weekly stipend plus round-trip travel, university housing, and food subsidy
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Dates: June 8 - August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors who have completed at least two academic years of college and have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
The MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP) is a summer initiative where you conduct supervised research on the MIT campus under the guidance of faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, or advanced graduate students. Depending on your academic focus, you work on a defined research project within departments such as engineering, natural sciences, computing, or the social sciences. You spend your time engaging in activities related to your assigned topic, which may include data analysis, experimental work, or theoretical investigation. Alongside your research, you take part in scheduled seminars and discussions that support the academic environment of the program. Your work concludes with the preparation of a research abstract and a poster presentation summarizing your findings.
2. Ladder Internships University Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type
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: High school students, 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 initiative that places you on a project with a startup company over an eight-week period. Your work centers on tasks defined by the startup’s current focus, which may include technology, business, healthcare, or media, depending on the placement. Throughout the program, you receive guidance from both a ladder coach and a startup mentor who support your progress and provide structured feedback. Regular check-ins help you stay aligned with project expectations and timelines. You complete the assigned deliverables and develop a final output based on the scope set at the start of the internship. At the end of the program, you present your work to the startup team.
3. Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology
Location: Harvard Forest, Petersham, MA
Cost/Stipend: $7,700
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Dates: May 27 - August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Undergraduates who are enrolled in two-year and four-year colleges and universities and are U.S. citizens or resident aliens
The Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology is an 11-week initiative hosted at Harvard University’s forest‑ecosystem field station in Petersham, Massachusetts. Throughout the program, you work with a team of mentors and peers to research forest ecosystems, environmental change, and ecosystem disturbances. Depending on your project focus, your work may include field measurements, data collection, laboratory analysis, or computational work. Weekly seminars and workshops provide context on current ecological science and research methods. You collaborate with mentors and fellow participants in community-building activities that promote collaboration and engagement. The program concludes with a student research symposium, where you present your research findings.
4. MSU Solar Astronomy & Space Physics REU Program
Location: Bozeman, Montana (in person at Montana State University)
Cost/Stipend: $6,000 stipend plus housing plus travel plus $1,000 food allowance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 26 - July 31 (fixed dates)
Application Deadline: Opens mid-December
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled as undergraduates
In this 10-week in-person program, you work with faculty on research in solar astronomy, space physics, or related astrophysical topics. Your project will analyze data from space missions such as the Parker Solar Probe, Solar Dynamics Observatory, Hinode, or IRIS, as well as archive data from earlier missions and ground-based observatories. Some mentors also offer projects in solar magnetohydrodynamics or hardware development, giving you exposure to computational and instrumentation-focused work. You begin with training sessions covering the Unix/Linux environment, programming tools, and research practices used across the participating laboratories. Weekly lectures introduce you to current work in the field, and you meet with your research group regularly to track progress. Near the end of the program, you prepare and deliver a presentation summarizing your findings to faculty and peers.
5. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Several locations across the U.S, such as Texas, California, Florida, etc.
Cost/Stipend: Paid; amount varies depending on education level and AFRL site
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Vary depending on the AFRL sites and/or projects
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old (18 years for California sites) and are available to work full-time (40 hours/week)
The AFRL Scholars Program is a research internship that places you at an Air Force Research Laboratory site to support ongoing scientific and engineering projects. Depending on the assigned laboratory, your work may focus on areas such as aerospace systems, materials science, sensors, cyber operations, or space technologies depending on the laboratory. You can participate in defined research activities that include data collection, testing, technical development, or analysis tasks. Throughout the internship, an AFRL mentor provides guidance and direction as you carry out your responsibilities following a full-time schedule within an active government research environment. Your contributions are documented through technical reports or project summaries completed as part of the program requirements.
6. Cooperative Institute for Modeling the Earth System (CIMES) Research Internship Program @ Princeton University
Location: Princeton, NJ (in-person at NOAA GFDL)
Cost/Stipend: $5,600 - $6,300 stipend; housing and travel support provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8 - 9 weeks in summer (start date can vary)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or U.S. work authorization
In this 8 - 9 week in-person program, you work with researchers at Princeton University and NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory on a defined project in atmospheric, oceanic, or earth system science. You will focus on a scientific question selected by your mentor, which may involve analyzing climate data, running model experiments, or interpreting results from ongoing research. Your daily work takes place in a major climate modeling center, giving you access to high-performance computing resources and the scientific tools used by the host laboratories. You also take part in seminars and events that introduce you to ongoing research across the institute, offering frequent opportunities to hear from scientists in related fields.
7. Feinstein Summer Research Internship Program
Location: Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 25 interns
Dates: May 27 - July 22 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Undergraduate students; U.S.-based enrollment required for international students
The Feinstein Summer Research Internship Program lets you work with a research faculty mentor who guides you through an ongoing project at the institute you select. Throughout the summer, you will contribute to disease-oriented research in areas such as behavioral science, molecular medicine, cancer research, bioelectronic medicine, health system science, or translational research. You follow the workflow of your assigned laboratory or research unit, which may involve experimental procedures, data collection, or analysis, depending on the project’s requirements. You also participate in workshops and seminars designed to introduce you to various aspects of medical research and the scientific process. Throughout the program, you interact with faculty and other interns during structured sessions and group activities. At the end of the internship, you prepare a research poster that summarizes your work and present it to faculty and peers.
8. NIH Clinical Center Summer Internship Program
Location: NIH campuses (primarily Bethesda; in-person)
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided; amount varies depending on the education level
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Typically June - August
Application Deadline: Opens in November; closes in March
Eligibility: High school seniors, undergraduates, graduates, and professional students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
As part of the NIH Clinical Center Summer Internship Program, you work within a research group led by a Principal Investigator as part of the NIH Intramural Research Program. You will contribute to ongoing projects in fields such as biomedical science, behavioral research, engineering, chemistry, epidemiology, computational science, and other health-related fields. You follow the schedule and workflow of your assigned lab, which may involve experimental procedures, data analysis, or work with research software, depending on the group’s focus. You also take part in professional development sessions that cover scientific career paths, research communication, and other core areas relevant to research environments. As an intern, you also have the opportunity to participate in events such as the NIH Graduate and Professional School Fair and the Summer Poster Day, where you share your project with the NIH community. The program is conducted on NIH campuses, with most groups located at the Bethesda site.
9. Canary Cancer Research Education Summer Training (CREST) Program by Stanford University
Location: The Canary Center at the Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 - August 22
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in two-year or four-year colleges or universities
The Canary CREST Program at Stanford University is a 10-week summer research experience focused on early cancer detection and biomedical studies. In this program, you will work in laboratories at the Canary Center for Early Cancer Detection under the guidance of a faculty mentor, supported by senior scientists or postdoctoral fellows. Depending on your assigned focus, projects may involve molecular or cellular biology, imaging, proteomics, computational modeling, or biomarker analysis. Throughout the program, you gain experience with techniques such as cell assays, molecular imaging, flow cytometry, and sample analysis. Seminars and professional-development sessions introduce you to current cancer biology research and detection technologies. The experience concludes with a research symposium where you present your findings to mentors, peers, and Stanford researchers.
10. General Dynamics Mission Systems Internship
Location: Varies depending on internship; remote options also available
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: 10 - 12 week summer program
Application Deadline: Varies depending on program
Eligibility: Open to college rising freshmen through postgraduates
The GDMS Students & Recent Graduates program provides you with opportunities to participate in internships or early-career roles that contribute to advanced defense and security projects. You will work on assignments in fields such as engineering, IT, business, or manufacturing while collaborating with professionals who provide mentorship and guidance. You gain experience in areas such as systems development, technical design, or project implementation. You also participate in team meetings, workshops, and professional-development activities that support your learning and growth. Your work may contribute directly to projects that support national defense and security initiatives. The program also offers pathways for interns to transition into full-time positions after graduation.
11. Jane Street Software Engineering Internship
Location: Jane Street, New York, London, or Hong Kong
Cost/Stipend: Paid, amounts vary depending on position and location
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: 10 - 12 weeks between May and September
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students with strong programming skills; all majors are considered
The Jane Street Internship Program is a structured opportunity where you work within one of the firm’s core teams, such as quantitative trading, software engineering, or research. Through this program, you will work on tasks that reflect how teams analyze data, build systems, and support trading strategies. Mentorship from experienced team members guides your approach to technical and analytical challenges throughout the internship. Exposure to collaborative workflows helps you understand how different roles support the firm’s operations. You also take part in discussions and sessions that provide context on Jane Street’s approach to decision-making and problem-solving.
12. Boeing Engineering Internship Program
Location: Various locations worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Paid, roughly $40,000 - $60,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: 10 - 12 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing engineering
The Boeing Internship Program places you within teams that support ongoing work related to aerospace engineering, technology, and business operations. Depending on your assigned area, you contribute to projects involving aircraft design, manufacturing processes, data analysis, or operational coordination. Working alongside engineers, analysts, and project leads provides insights into how large-scale aerospace initiatives progress through various stages. Exposure to internal systems and workflows shows how technical planning moves from design through execution across departments.
13. GE Appliances Internships
Location: Various locations worldwide
Cost/Stipend: $18 - $30/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; only around 450 students per batch
Dates: 10 - 12 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors in engineering
The GE Appliances Student Opportunities program introduces you to how large-scale home appliances progress from concept to production and market delivery. You take on responsibilities that support functions such as appliance testing, manufacturing coordination, supply chain planning, digital systems support, or commercial operations. You learn how individual components and processes contribute to the development of finished products used in households worldwide. In addition to technical tasks, you observe how business, design, and operational decisions intersect across ongoing projects.
14. Lockheed Martin Internship Program
Location: Various locations worldwide
Cost/Stipend: $18 - $30/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 10 - 12 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors in engineering
The Lockheed Martin Internship Program places you on projects in aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity. Depending on your assigned team, your tasks may include designing system components, analyzing performance data, developing software, or conducting technical research. You also assist with testing and refining systems and tools that support ongoing defense programs. Projects often involve building models or simulations that inform engineering decisions and support operational objectives. Documentation, experiments, and analyses that you prepare are used directly by full-time engineers and project leads.
15. Intel Engineering Internship
Location: Intel offices across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Paid, stipends for U.S.-based roles vary from $40,000 - $108,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Varies depending on the specific internship
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, and related fields
Intel internships place you within teams working on hardware, software, or research projects at a leading technology company. You contribute to specific tasks and observe workflows. Applications and placements are handled through Intel’s internship portal, where you select a country and a job type and submit the required details. Mentors are available to answer questions and provide guidance on your project work. You attend meetings and may participate in workshops or seminars related to your assigned projects. You can also explore different areas of the company and see how teams coordinate on complex initiatives.
16. Tesla Internship Program
Location: Tesla offices across the U.S
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies depending on the specific internship
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students
The Tesla internship program involves working on projects in engineering, operations, business, or sustainability. Depending on your assignment, you will contribute to tasks such as analyzing data, supporting processes, or assisting with experiments. Team discussions and technical briefings provide context for your work and help you understand how different departments collaborate on projects. Mentors are available to explain procedures, answer questions, and offer guidance on methods and workflows. You also interact with other interns and staff, observing the roles and responsibilities across the company. The program spans several weeks and requires enrollment in a relevant degree program.
17. Cornell Geopaths Geoscience Learning Ecosystem (CorGGLE) Summer Internship Program
Location: Cornell University main campus in Ithaca, New York
Cost/Stipend: $6,300
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1 - 2 interns
Program Dates: Nine weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: College students who have completed at least two semesters of college when the program starts
The CorGGLE program at Cornell University is a nine-week research experience that engages students in environmental and geoscience research. You will join ongoing projects in areas such as climate, natural hazards, water and energy resources, or GIS and remote sensing. Your work involves gathering and analyzing data, conducting experiments, and contributing to the documentation of findings. Mentors, including faculty and graduate students, provide guidance on research methods and project tasks. You attend seminars and discussions that introduce different geoscience topics and career paths. While living on campus, you use laboratories, libraries, and study spaces, and may participate in field trips or site visits related to your research. The program concludes with presentations and written reports summarizing your project work.
18. Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Location: Mayo Clinic campuses in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 180 students across three campuses
Dates: 10-week summer program (varies depending on the campus)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
In the Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), you work with a Mayo Clinic faculty mentor on a project aligned with your selected research area. You will join one of three Mayo Clinic campuses and contribute to the daily work of a research lab, which may include experimental procedures, data analysis, or additional tasks specific to your mentor’s project. You also have access to a large network of researchers, including faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and medical trainees who collaborate with you throughout the fellowship. The program allows you to explore research specialties such as neuroscience, regenerative sciences, immunology, clinical and translational science, and several other disciplines. You attend sessions and events organized for SURF students, creating opportunities to interact with peers across all three campuses.
19. NASA's Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Remote or in-person at NASA centers across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on project
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Spring/Fall: 16 weeks | Summer: 10 weeks (May - August)
Application Deadline: Spring: September 12 | Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 16
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16+ years with a GPA of 3.0+ who are full-time students
The NASA Internship Programs provide opportunities to work on projects that support NASA’s mission in space exploration, science, aeronautics, and technology development. You collaborate with NASA scientists, engineers, and other professionals who mentor and guide your project work. Your assignments may involve engineering, computer science, data analysis, program management, or other tasks aligned with your academic focus and interests. You participate in full-time or part-time sessions during the spring, summer, or fall, gaining experience while building technical and professional skills. Seminars, team meetings, and project presentations provide context for your work and expose you to NASA’s cutting-edge research and operations.
20. Caltech's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) Program
Location: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
Cost/Stipend: $8,110
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Mid-June to mid-July
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Continuing undergraduates from Caltech with a minimum GPA of 2.0, visiting students with a GPA of 2.5, and international students must hold valid U.S. work authorization, such as CPT, OPT, or academic training, to qualify.
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) at Caltech is a ten-week summer research program where you work on an independent project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. You collaborate with your mentor to develop a project proposal before beginning your research. You will spend the summer carrying out investigative work that may involve experiments, data analysis, or theoretical exploration, depending on the discipline. You then produce written documentation of your project, including an abstract and a final technical paper, which is reviewed by your mentor. After this, you share your findings through an oral presentation at the program’s concluding seminar day. You also attend scheduled seminars and take part in program-organized academic and community activities alongside other participants.
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