15 STEM Internships for Undergraduates in North Dakota
College students can benefit significantly from internships, as they help strengthen resumes, build professional profiles, and improve employability after graduation. These experiences allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings while gaining practical skills in a field of their interest. Students interested in STEM usually look for internships that let them apply their classroom knowledge to the real world, often searching through university career centers, specialized job boards, and industry networking events to find the right technical fit.
Why should I do a STEM internship in college?
A STEM internship allows you to work directly on technical or research-driven projects in fields such as engineering, environmental science, agriculture, biomedical research, and technology. Through these experiences, you may learn laboratory methods, data analysis techniques, engineering design tools, or science communication skills that are difficult to develop through coursework alone. Working alongside scientists, engineers, and researchers can also help you understand how STEM professionals collaborate to address real scientific and technological challenges. In many cases, internships can help improve your employability by giving you hands-on experience that employers and graduate programs value when evaluating candidates.
Knowing how important this hands-on experience is, we narrowed down our list of the best 15 STEM internships for undergraduates in North Dakota by closely evaluating what each local program actually offers students.
If you want to see what STEM internships are available in other states, find a list of STEM internships in California here & Arizona here.
1. Pollination Nation REU at NDSU
Location: North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Competitive; approximately 8–11 students
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Undergraduate students; must be a U.S. citizen
During the Pollination Nation REU at North Dakota State University, you will investigate the development and health of agriculturally beneficial pollinators like honey bees, mason bees, and leafcutting bees. In this 10-week summer program, you will conduct outdoor field observations on how wildflower diversity attracts different species, perform hands-on laboratory research to identify the cellular mechanisms of aging, and present your final research poster at a university symposium. The program directly integrates with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Fargo, allowing you to work alongside both university faculty and federal insect biologists. By participating in these activities, you will learn essential skills in precise field data collection, laboratory entomology techniques, and professional science communication.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 10%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort;
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is a fully remote, eight-week experience where you work directly with high-growth startup founders in STEM fields like AI, biotech, and software engineering. Throughout the program, you will tackle a real-world project by analyzing data sets, building computational tools, and creating technical deliverables that address your host company's operational needs. You will regularly meet with a startup manager for project direction and a dedicated "Ladder Coach" for structured professional feedback. A unique feature of this program is its dual-mentorship model and exclusive pairings with founders from top incubators like Y Combinator. The internship culminates in a formal presentation of your final work to company leadership. Apply now!
3. ND EPSCoR STTAR Program
Location: Various North Dakota business enterprises (on-site)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; numerous interns across ~100+ participating companies
Dates: Early May – Late August
Application Deadline: Late February
Eligibility: Upper-division STEM students (Juniors, Seniors, or Graduate students) at NDUS institutions, ND Tribal Colleges, or ND residents attending out-of-state colleges
In the ND EPSCoR STTAR program, you step out of the classroom to work directly with a North Dakota company on real-world industrial challenges across engineering, computer science, agriculture, and manufacturing. During the summer, you will conduct applied lab or field research, design technical prototypes, and write professional progress reports for your corporate sponsors. A unique feature of this state-funded initiative is its cost-sharing model, which specifically incentivizes local high-tech businesses to hire and mentor you. By completing these tasks, you actively transfer academic technology into the commercial sector.
4. American Society for Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Location: University of North Dakota (UND), Grand Forks, ND
Stipend: $7,000 + travel expenses of up to $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Competitive; at least 4 students
Dates: May 27 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in a degree program, have completed at least one year of college, and have a GPA (typically 3.0+); must not graduate before the fellowship ends
In the ASPET Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, you will participate in a 10-week laboratory research experience focused on neuropharmacology at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences. You will work closely with faculty mentors, graduate students, and other researchers while contributing to projects related to topics such as neurochemistry, neurotransmission, drug addiction, and pharmacology, or drugs that affect the central nervous system. The program provides hands-on training in laboratory techniques used in areas like molecular biology, cell biology, epigenetics, neurobiology, and immunology. In addition to lab work, you will attend weekly seminars and workshops covering science writing, research ethics, responsible conduct of research, and the graduate school application process.
5. ND Space Grant Consortium – Industry Internships
Location: Local industries across North Dakota
Stipend: $20.50/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size dependent on available industry partnerships and funding for the specific year
Dates: Flexible (Start and end dates, as well as total hours per week, are determined between the student and the industry mentor)
Application Deadline: 1st of each month
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in an NDSGC Affiliate College or University; U.S. citizens; be in good academic standing
In the NDSGC Industry Internships program, you will work with a professional mentor at a STEM-focused company or laboratory on a project that addresses real industry challenges. These internships emphasize hands-on work with regional industry partners rather than placements at NASA centers. You will collaborate directly with your mentor to determine the scope of the project, including the total duration of the internship and the number of hours you will work each week. Projects typically involve technical or research-focused tasks that help you develop practical skills through experiential learning in a professional setting. Students selected for the program will receive an hourly stipend through NDSGC while completing their internship.
6. John Deere Engineering Internships
Location: Fargo, ND (Electronic Solutions & Intelligent Solutions Group)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Competitive; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: Summer Internships: ~12–13 weeks (typically June – August); Part-Time Students: Year-round
Application Deadline: Typically October – January for the following summer
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program (UG focus); minimum 2.8 GPA; majors: Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Software, or Agricultural Engineering; U.S. work authorization
In this internship, you will dive into agricultural technology by focusing on electrical engineering, embedded software, and systems design. Throughout the summer, you will actively design printed circuit boards, write firmware for equipment displays, and run rigorous environmental tests on electronic control units. The program has a specialized focus on developing ruggedized electronics explicitly built to survive extremely harsh farming and construction environments. Through these hands-on projects, you will master technical skills like hardware-in-the-loop testing, embedded C++ programming, and complex hardware troubleshooting.
7. UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences – NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Location: UND in Grand Forks, ND
Stipend: $7,000 + up to $1,000 in travel expenses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; up to 10 students
Dates: May 27 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who don’t graduate before December 1
In this internship, you’ll spend 10 weeks working on a summer research project examining how environmental factors influence gene expression and biological regulation. You’ll work in a mentored research laboratory with faculty, graduate students, and other undergraduates while contributing to projects such as epigenetic regulation of cortical development, learning and memory in rodents, neural stem cell development, sex determination in reptiles, or stress tolerance in nematodes. Your research may involve laboratory experiments and data analysis in areas such as genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, neuroscience, and systems biology. Throughout the program, you’ll attend weekly seminars and workshops focused on science writing, research presentations, research ethics, and the graduate school application process.
8. Summer Undergraduate Biomedical Research Experience (SUBRE)
Location: University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
Stipend: $10,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; up to 20 students
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 20
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or seniors attending any college or university in North Dakota; majoring in STEM
In the SUBRE program at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences, you will participate in a 10-week laboratory research program focused on how environmental toxicants influence the development of diseases such as bladder cancer and renal disease. You will work under the direction of faculty mentors while contributing to biomedical research projects that examine gene expression in human cells. Your research may involve hands-on laboratory techniques such as quantitative PCR, protein analysis, tissue culture, flow cytometry, cell sorting, and confocal microscopy. Participants receive a stipend for completing the 10-week research experience, with housing support or living expenses offered to students depending on their home institution.
9. RTX Internships & Co-Ops
Location: Jamestown, North Dakota (Primary site: Collins Aerospace facility)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Competitive; 10–25 students per term
Dates: Summer Internship: ~10–12 weeks (Early June – August); Co-Op: 4–5 months (Spring or Fall semesters)
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduate students (sophomore standing or higher/minimum 60 credits by start); minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA; majoring in STEM fields (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, or Manufacturing Engineering; Supply Chain; Business)
In the RTX Internships & Co-Ops program, you gain experience working with engineering and business teams that support aerospace and defense systems development. You may contribute to projects related to program planning, engineering coordination, and technical project management while supporting the execution of active aerospace programs. Your work may involve tracking project milestones, maintaining integrated project schedules, analyzing risks, and gathering technical status updates from different teams. You’ll get to collaborate with professionals across multiple disciplines, gaining exposure to how large aerospace programs are planned, coordinated, and managed. Some co-op placements even run as full-time work terms that extend across an academic semester, allowing you to focus on a sustained industry project.
10. University of North Dakota’s Interdisciplinary Renewable and Environmental Collaborative REU Program
Location: University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Competitive; approximately 10 students
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores and juniors pursuing Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Atmospheric Science, or related majors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
In this internship, you’ll work in a research laboratory alongside UND faculty mentors and students while contributing to projects related to topics such as renewable materials, atmospheric aerosols, nanocatalysts, or polymers. Research projects may involve laboratory experiments, materials synthesis, atmospheric measurements, or computational analysis, depending on the assigned topic. Throughout the program, you’ll collaborate with researchers across multiple scientific disciplines while gaining exposure to different approaches used in environmental and materials science research. Participants also take part in training activities focused on science communication and community outreach. The program includes a stipend, on-campus housing, a meal plan, and travel reimbursement for the summer research period.
11. Basin Electric Power Cooperative Internships
Location: Basin Electric Power Cooperative Headquarters, Bismarck, ND
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Competitive; cohort size varies by department
Dates: Summer Internships: Typically May – August; Student Internships: Long-term roles available for 18–24 months
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year undergraduate program 18+; completed at least 2 semesters (or 2 years for specific roles); minimum 2.5 GPA; possess a valid driver’s license
In the Basin Electric Power Cooperative Internship program, you’ll gain practical work experience at a regional electric utility while applying concepts from your field of study to real workplace projects. You may work in professional roles at Basin Electric’s headquarters in Bismarck or at one of its power plant facilities, depending on the internship placement. Internships are typically full-time during the summer, though part-time opportunities may be available during the academic year. In addition to standard internships, Basin Electric also offers a Cooperative Education Program that allows you to work full-time for a semester or two while earning academic credit from your college.
12. Bobcat Design Engineer Student Experience
Location: Bismarck, Fargo, West Fargo, and Gwinner, North Dakota
Stipend: $23–$26/hour + $250 monthly stipend + tuition reimbursement (up to $1,400 per 3-credit course)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by year
Dates: Internships: ~4 months (1 semester); Co-ops: ~8 months (multiple terms)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (Freshman through Senior standing) pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or a related STEM field
In this program, you will dive directly into the product development lifecycle of compact construction equipment. You will explore core mechanical topics such as structural integrity, vehicle kinematics, and hydraulic system integration. Throughout the term, you will model new mechanical components using 3D CAD software, conduct physical performance tests on heavy-duty prototypes, and collaborate with the manufacturing floor to resolve assembly line issues. The most unique feature of this program is that you bypass standard intern busywork to actively design actual parts that will enter full-scale production. Ultimately, you will walk away with industry-ready skills in Creo Parametric modeling, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), and practical root cause analysis.
13. Collaborations in Discipline-based Education Research (CiDER): A Summer REU Program
Location: North Dakota State University (NDSU), Fargo, ND
Stipend: $7,000 + need-based travel stipends may be offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; approximately 10 students
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 17
Eligibility: Current undergraduates; U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; interest in STEM education research; 1st/2nd year STEM majors and underrepresented groups are highly encouraged
In the CiDER Summer REU Program at NDSU, you’ll spend 10 weeks conducting research on the teaching and learning of STEM subjects at the undergraduate level. You’ll work with faculty mentors on interdisciplinary discipline-based education research (DBER) projects that examine teaching practices, student learning processes, and instructional approaches used in STEM fields. Throughout the program, you’ll collaborate with a cohort of undergraduate researchers while receiving mentorship from faculty working in DBER. The program runs during the summer and includes on-campus housing and a stipend while you complete the research experience.
14. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Research Participation Program
Location: Fargo, North Dakota (Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center)
Stipend: Paid monthly, varies as per location
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 1–5 interns per research unit
Dates: Flexible Start Dates (typically Summer/Fall); initial appointments are usually 3 months to 1 year, with potential for extension
Application Deadline: June 19
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students or graduating high school seniors accepted into a STEM degree program; must be U.S. citizens for most Fargo-based projects
The ARS Research Participation Program offers research placements for students interested in agricultural science and related STEM fields at facilities operated by the ARS branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During the program, you’ll work alongside USDA scientists on research projects connected to areas such as food safety, crop and animal production, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural systems. Your work may involve laboratory research, field studies, or data analysis related to high national priority agricultural challenges. Participants will receive a stipend and may also receive travel, relocation, or health insurance support depending on the research appointment.
15. AGCO Agronomy Internship
Location: Casselton, North Dakota (PTI North Dakota Farm)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 4–8 interns per research farm siteDates: Approximately mid-May – August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Ag-Engineering, or a related field; ability to operate farm machinery and lift 50 lbs
In this internship, you will immerse yourself in the intersection of crop science and precision agriculture technology. Throughout the summer, you will actively scout crops, collect field soil samples, operate advanced farm machinery, and gather yield data from ongoing agronomic trials. The program has a direct connection to the Precision Technology Institute, giving you hands-on access to test how experimental planting equipment directly impacts actual crop performance. By evaluating these field trials, you will build hard skills in agricultural data analysis, experimental design, and precision farming software operation.
Image source - North Dakota State University logo