15 STEM Internships for Undergraduates in Alaska
If you are an undergraduate student interested in STEM, an internship can be a worthwhile way to explore these fields. Internships allow you to move beyond theoretical knowledge and apply what you learn in the classroom. By working alongside professionals, you can enhance your technical skills, establish industry connections, and gain insights into different careers. Practical experience enhances your resume by demonstrating to future employers that you can contribute in a professional setting. You will develop research capabilities, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills that are essential across STEM careers.
Why should I do a STEM internship in college?
A STEM internship in college enables you to apply technical knowledge while building professional skills that employers value. You gain exposure to industry tools, research methodologies, data analysis techniques, and engineering processes that are difficult to master through coursework alone. Internships also help strengthen your communication, teamwork, and project management skills. These capabilities significantly boost your employability in both private industry and research environments. In specialized fields such as STEM, early exposure to laboratories, fieldwork, and technology-driven organizations can help you refine your interests and make informed decisions about graduate school or future employment.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 STEM internships for undergraduates in Alaska, focusing on programs that offer meaningful training, mentorship, and impact.
1. ACEP Summer Internship Program
Location: University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
Stipend: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Typically early spring (varies depending on the year)
Eligibility: Undergraduates; REU for students entering sophomore or junior year (first research experience) | AUSI for students entering junior/senior year or spring graduates
The ACEP Summer Internship Program provides a mentored research experience focused on Arctic energy systems through the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP). You will work on projects involving topics such as microgrid integration, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles in cold climates, inverter modeling, or Alaska-specific energy data analysis. Depending on the program track, you will either build foundational research skills through structured cohort programming (REU) or take a more independent, deliverable-driven research role (AUSI). Throughout the internship, you collaborate closely with an ACEP researcher, contribute to ongoing energy initiatives, and present your findings at the end of the program. REU interns participate in additional professional development activities, including Energy Round Tables, Flash Talks, community engagement, and multi-day field trips. AUSI interns spend the majority of their time on advanced research projects that may result in technical deliverables.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies by placement | financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort | applications typically open in January, May, September, and November
Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, committing 10 - 20 hours/week
The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective virtual internship that places students with startups and nonprofit organizations tackling real-world operational, strategic, or technical challenges. You will be matched to a project that addresses a specific organizational need, ensuring that your work contributes directly to measurable outcomes rather than simulated exercises. During the internship, you collaborate with a manager from your host organization and receive structured guidance from a dedicated ladder coach who supports your professional development. The program emphasizes ownership, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration, allowing you to develop skills related to technology, data analysis, product development, marketing, or operations. Apply now!
3. Internships at Alaska Aerospace Corporation (AAC)
Location: Anchorage, AK; Kodiak, AK
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer internships | limited opportunities available during the academic year for Anchorage- and Kodiak-based students
Application Deadline: Varies | inquire directly with AAC
Eligibility: College students majoring in STEM fields or business-related disciplines
Alaska Aerospace Corporation (AAC) offers internships that provide experience in aerospace operations, spaceport management, and related technical and administrative functions. Depending on your academic background and placement, you may contribute to projects involving launch operations, engineering systems, logistics, communications, or organizational management. These roles provide exposure to the operational aspects of Alaska's aerospace infrastructure, including work related to the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak. AAC also participates in the Alaska Space Grant Program, which focuses on students in STEM or STEM education fields. Through this pathway, you can engage in research, workforce development initiatives, and applied technical projects aligned with NASA and broader space-related objectives.
4. Alaska Space Grant Program – Alaska Summer Internships
Location: Statewide, company-hosted placements (often field-based)
Stipend: Sponsored internship funding
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies depending on the internship placement | full-time schedule
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; undergraduates majoring in engineering or related technical fields
The Alaska Space Grant Program (ASGP), part of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, sponsors undergraduate students who have secured internships with Alaska-based aerospace companies. If you are pursuing a degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, civil, environmental, or other related engineering disciplines, this program provides structured financial and institutional support for a research or technical internship in Fairbanks. Through this program, you gain applied experience in aerospace systems, engineering design, space-related technologies, or industry-aligned technical projects while contributing to Alaska’s growing aerospace ecosystem.
5. Sealaska Internship Program
Location: Various locations across Alaska (connect week held in Juneau, AK)
Stipend: Competitive pay | travel fully covered | housing stipend available for some locations
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 - August 21 (connect week: June 14 - 20)
Application Deadline: March 9 (applications reviewed on a rolling basis beginning January 11)
Eligibility: Sealaska shareholder, descendant, or spouse of a shareholder | at least 18 years old | minimum GPA of 2.5 | currently enrolled in college or vocational-technical school, or recent graduate (within 1 - 2 years)
The Sealaska Internship Program allows you to gain professional experience while connecting with the cultures and communities of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian communities. You will work within Sealaska’s internal teams or partner organizations across areas such as business, land stewardship & environmental science, engineering & technology, and community & culture. Throughout the summer, you apply your academic knowledge in both corporate and field-based environments, contributing to active projects while building industry-relevant skills. The program begins with Connect Week, a required in-person orientation in Juneau that brings interns and fellows together before their placements begin.
6. ANSEP University Success Program
Location: University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), AK
Cost/Stipend: Merit-based scholarships available | paid internships required as part of program participation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Academic year (fall and spring semesters) with required 8-week summer internships
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the university admission timeline
Eligibility: Full-time students admitted to ANSEP-approved B.S. or B.B.A. degree programs
The ANSEP University Success Program is an academic learning community designed to support your academic achievement and long-term professional development in STEM and business fields. As a participant, you co-enroll in courses with other ANSEP students, attend structured recitation sessions for gateway subjects such as calculus, chemistry, biology, and physics, and participate in organized peer study groups. The program integrates academic support with mentorship, advising, and structured career preparation to strengthen both your technical knowledge and professional readiness. A core requirement of university success is experiential learning. You will complete an 8-week ANSEP-approved summer internship each year, ensuring continuous exposure to industry or research environments. Undergraduate research opportunities are also available through faculty and partner organizations, with strong encouragement to pursue research-focused internships.
7. Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship (NOAA)
Location: NOAA facilities nationwide (summer internship placement varies)
Stipend: Up to $9,500 per year for two years | 10-week paid internship at $700/week | travel funds and housing subsidy provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Academic scholarship (two years) plus 10-week summer internship between award years
Application Deadline: Applications open annually from September to January
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing degrees related to oceanic, atmospheric, or environmental sciences (see NOAA site for full criteria)
The Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship, administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), provides financial and professional support to undergraduates pursuing oceanic and atmospheric sciences and related fields. Each year, more than 120 students receive up to $9,500 annually for two years of full-time study, along with a 10-week summer internship at a NOAA facility. During the internship, typically completed between the first and second award years, you gain hands-on experience in NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management, or education initiatives. Scholars also receive travel funding to attend a mandatory orientation and the annual NOAA Science & Education Symposium, where you may present your research work and expand your professional network. A housing subsidy is available for students who relocate.
8. NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center (LMRCSC)
Location: Headquartered at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) | research placements at NOAA labs nationwide
Stipend: Fellowship funding and paid summer internship support
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Academic-year fellowship plus summer research internships
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the institution and fellowship cycle
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students in marine science and related disciplines (through partner institutions)
The NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center (LMRCSC) is a NOAA-funded academic partnership that prepares students for careers in marine science, fisheries research, resource management, and public policy. Through the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and seven partner institutions, the program supports undergraduate and graduate fellows with financial assistance, structured mentorship, and access to NOAA-affiliated research opportunities. As a participant, you will engage in research during the academic year and complete summer internships, often through NOAA Research Experiences and Training Opportunities (NERTO), at NOAA laboratories across the country. Internship projects have included pathogen forecasting in coastal systems, fisheries stock assessment research, and trophic ecology studies supporting sustainable harvest strategies.
9. Alaska Conservation Foundation (ACF) Conservation Internships
Location: Multiple sites across Alaska (example, Anchorage, Homer, Juneau, Sitka, Palmer, Soldotna, St. Paul Island)
Stipend: $7,000 | travel reimbursement up to $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 12 weeks, beginning late May or early June (varies by host organization)
Application Deadline: January 5 - February 17
Eligibility: Currently enrolled college students, recent graduates, graduate students, or students in technical programs | must be eligible to work in the U.S.
The Alaska Conservation Foundation (ACF) Conservation Internships place participants with nonprofit conservation organizations, environmental justice groups, Alaska Native organizations, and government agencies across the state. Each placement is designed to provide a structured learning experience while contributing directly to Alaska-focused conservation initiatives. Internship roles include environmental research, science communication, watershed monitoring, climate advocacy, youth leadership, sustainable fisheries, land trust operations, and community outreach. Over 12 weeks, you work full-time with your host organization on projects aligned with ACF’s mission of protecting Alaska’s environment and supporting its diverse communities. ACF provides a $7,000 stipend to host organizations to support intern compensation and reimburses eligible travel expenses to and from Alaska. While host organizations assist with identifying housing options, you are responsible for securing your own accommodation.
10. Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Internship Program
Location: Various sites across Alaska
Stipend: Paid internships (rate varies depending on the position)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Primarily summer | duration varies depending on the role
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the posting
Eligibility: College students | requirements vary depending on the position
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Internship Program offers structured, paid training experiences designed to build technical expertise in wildlife, fisheries, habitat management, and related state government functions. As an intern, you will join a professional team and complete assignments that support ADF&G’s operational goals. This is not observational shadowing – you are expected to learn agency policies, procedures, and field techniques while contributing to active projects. Depending on your placement and academic level, you may assist with biological data collection, habitat monitoring, fisheries assessments, public outreach, or administrative and policy-related tasks. The program spans five divisions, allowing you to align your internship with interests such as commercial fisheries, sport fish, wildlife conservation, subsistence management, or habitat protection.
11. Alaska Department of Natural Resources – Student Intern Program
Location: Alaska Department of Natural Resources, statewide offices and field locations, AK
Stipend: $17.01 - $21.60 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer and school-year | exact dates vary depending on the position
Application Deadline: Not specified (positions are created and filled internally by DNR)
Eligibility: At least 16 years old | currently enrolled full-time in high school, college, or graduate study in a relevant field | in good academic standing | must have been enrolled full-time in the preceding term and admitted for the next term for summer roles
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Student Intern Program places participants in paid roles within a state agency, where they contribute directly to ongoing operations. Internships are offered across multiple divisions and locations statewide, with responsibilities tailored to your academic background and level of study. Depending on your placement, you may work on drafting, cartography, field data collection, title research, accounting tasks, computer-based projects, or public-facing services. As you progress academically, you take on more advanced and specialized technical responsibilities. The program operates under Alaska’s exempt Student Intern framework, allowing DNR to structure roles and compensation internally. In addition to hourly pay, you receive workers’ compensation coverage, eligibility for the state SBS-AP retirement plan, and overtime pay for hours exceeding 40 per week.
12. Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) – Student and College Internship Opportunities
Location: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, statewide offices, facilities, and project sites, AK
Stipend: Paid internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer and semester-based internships
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the posting
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students (especially in civil or related engineering fields) | must meet GPA and credit-hour requirements | some roles may require Alaska residency or education history
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) offers paid internship opportunities focused on infrastructure projects across the state. You can apply to specific roles aligned with your interests and qualifications, most of which are engineering-focused. Depending on your position, you may assist with construction inspection, materials testing, surveying, or plan and specification review. Your work contributes directly to the planning, development, and maintenance of Alaska’s transportation systems, including roads, airports, and public facilities. These roles provide practical, field-based, and technical experience aligned with your academic training, especially if you are pursuing civil or related engineering disciplines.
13. Alaska Behavioral Health – Student Internship Opportunities
Location: Alaska Behavioral Health, Anchorage, AK
Stipend: Unpaid | academic credit only
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 15 students per year
Dates: Varies depending on the academic program and placement
Application Deadline: Not specified | early application recommended due to limited spots
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a program with a signed Memorandum of Agreement with Alaska Behavioral Health | graduate students in psychology, social work, counseling, or related fields | undergraduate students (especially BSW)
The Alaska Behavioral Health Student Internship Program provides supervised clinical training for students pursuing a career in behavioral health. You are placed in structured roles that prioritize hands-on learning within a clinical environment. As an undergraduate, you will typically work as a clinical associate, supporting clients in developing practical life and coping skills under professional supervision. Alongside your placement, you participate in weekly Learning Community sessions focused on clinical practice, reflection, and professional development. The program is selective and capacity-limited, making early application essential.
14. Arctic Summer Internship Program (ASIP) – UAA Arctic Domain Awareness Center (ADAC-ARCTIC)
Location: Utqiagvik, AK
Cost/Stipend: Not listed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 10 weeks, June - August
Application Deadline: Not listed
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate STEM students | U.S. citizenship may be required for Department of Homeland Security–affiliated roles
The Arctic Summer Internship Program (ASIP), hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Arctic Domain Awareness Center (ADAC-ARCTIC), provides an opportunity to engage in research and applied technology projects focused on rapid environmental and security changes in the Arctic. Based in Utqiagvik, the program emphasizes innovation, data-driven analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration to strengthen Arctic resilience and infrastructure awareness. As an intern, you may contribute to projects involving remote sensing, environmental monitoring, systems engineering, homeland security applications, or Arctic-focused technological development. The program also emphasizes applied research in real-world Arctic conditions, providing exposure to the logistical, environmental, and policy challenges unique to northern communities.
15. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) Internship Program
Location: Portage, AK
Cost/Stipend: Not specified (seasonal internship positions; check website for current details)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer term
Application Deadline: Typically January 31
Eligibility: Open to students, recent graduates, young professionals, and career changers
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center offers two primary seasonal internships: the Naturalist Internship and the Animal Care Internship. In both roles, you work alongside full-time education and animal care staff, supporting departmental goals while gaining hands-on experience in wildlife conservation. Depending on your placement, you may assist with animal husbandry tasks, habitat maintenance, enrichment activities, guest education, or conservation communication. As an intern, you will develop practical skills in animal care, teamwork, and public engagement while working with a range of Alaskan species, including bears, muskoxen, wood bison, cervids, birds of prey, and more. The Naturalist track emphasizes science communication and visitor education, while the Animal Care track focuses more on daily husbandry operations and direct animal support. Both tracks require strong communication, adaptability, and the ability to work outdoors in variable weather conditions.
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