15 STEM Internships for Undergraduates in Washington State
For students interested in STEM, internships are a chance to test-drive specializations, whether it’s coding at a software firm, running experiments in a lab, or working on renewable-energy prototypes, so you can make smarter choices about majors, research, or career paths. Washington State acts as a high-octane "sandbox" for undergraduates, providing direct access to industry giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing in a concentrated hub of tech and aerospace innovation. It’s the ideal ecosystem to transition from textbooks to world-scale projects, whether you're interested in the future of the cloud or the next frontier of biotech.
Why should I do a STEM internship in college?
A STEM internship gives you hands-on technical skills like laboratory techniques, software development practices, data analysis methods, or prototyping, so that you rarely gain from coursework alone, and those skills make you immediately more attractive to employers. They often prefer candidates with internship experience because it reduces onboarding time and signals professionalism, teamwork, and problem-solving ability; many internships also convert into full-time offers or strong referrals. Internships connect you to mentors and professional networks who can advise on grad school, research opportunities, or job leads, and they let you build a portfolio of concrete work (code repositories, lab reports, design files) that differentiates you in applications.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve narrowed down 15 STEM internships for undergraduates in Washington State! The opportunities span biotech, aerospace, computing, clean energy, and environmental science, so there’s something for undergraduates at different stages of their STEM journey.
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. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center - Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $7,304 and travel allowance up to $450
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; Small Cohort (~30 students)
Dates: June 22 – August 21
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: U.S. citizen or permanent resident, entering the summer before the final year (or semester/quarter) of undergraduate studies, and having a strong background in the sciences or a related area of interest.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center SURP offers you a paid, full-time research experience in cancer biology and related biomedical fields. You will work on mentored laboratory projects, gaining hands-on experience in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. The program includes seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities with leading researchers and clinicians. Participants engage with the broader scientific community through discussions and collaborative learning. At the end of the program, students present their research findings, strengthening both technical and presentation skills.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; full financial aid available for students with demonstrated need / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective (10–15% acceptance rate); 70–100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, winter, fall, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies based on the cohort
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduate students; applicants from any academic major or geographic location; proficiency in English; ability to commit 10–20 hours per week for eight weeks
Ladder’s University Internship program enables you to work on high-impact technical projects directly for early-stage startups within a fully remote environment. Throughout the eight-week program, you are matched with founders to develop software prototypes, build data analytics dashboards, or implement machine learning models. You utilize modern toolsets, including Python, SQL, and various cloud-based development platforms to meet specific business needs. Regular check-ins with your startup manager ensure that your technical deliverables align with professional industry standards and operational requirements. This experience provides you with a tangible project for your portfolio and a formal letter of recommendation from your host company. Apply now!
3. Seattle Children's Research Institute - Summer Scholars Program (SSSP)
Location: Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $7,100, $400 food stipend, and an ORCA card
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective (5-15%); Small Cohort (15-40)
Dates: June 15 – August 14
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: Undergraduates (including community/technical college) aged 18+; must not graduate before/during program; SSN or ITIN required
The Seattle Children’s Research Institute SSSP offers you a structured, mentored research experience focused on pediatric health and biomedical sciences. You will work closely with research teams on ongoing projects, developing skills in data collection, analysis, and professional communication. The program includes workshops, seminars, and opportunities to engage with clinicians and scientists across disciplines. Scholars gain exposure to research ethics, clinical applications, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The experience culminates in a final presentation of research findings to peers and mentors. With a cohort of around 20 students, the program provides a focused and collaborative learning environment.
4. Amazon Student Programs
Location: Amazon, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid (Competitive hourly rate + Housing/Relocation stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely Selective (<5%) / Large Cohort (100+)
Dates: Summer (May–August), Winter (January–April), or Fall (August–November); 10–12 week duration
Application Deadline: Rolling (Applications typically open 8–10 months prior to start date)
Eligibility: Must be 18+; currently enrolled in a BS, MS, or PhD program (Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or CS)
Amazon Student Programs offer you hands-on industry experience across technical and engineering roles in a fast-paced, professional environment. You will work on real-world projects involving design, development, and problem-solving, often contributing to ongoing products or systems. Interns collaborate with experienced engineers and teams, gaining exposure to industry tools, workflows, and innovation practices. The program includes mentorship, networking opportunities, and professional development sessions. Participants may present their work or contribute to team deliverables, building practical and transferable skills. Cohort sizes and roles vary depending on the specific program and season.
5. Blue Origin – Undergraduate Internship Program
Location: Blue Origin, Kent, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid (Hourly) + Relocation and Housing Support
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely Selective (<5%) / Large Cohort (100+)
Dates: Spring (January – April), Summer (May – August/June – September), Fall (September – December)
Application Deadline: Rolling review; high-demand roles often close by October 10 Eligibility: Enrolled Undergraduate/Graduate students returning for at least one term; U.S. Persons (ITAR/EAR)
The Blue Origin Undergraduate Internship Program offers you a practical engineering and research experience in aerospace and related technical fields. You will contribute to real-world projects involving design, testing, and system development under the guidance of experienced professionals. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, technical problem-solving, and collaboration within multidisciplinary teams. Interns gain exposure to industry-standard tools and processes while working in a mission-driven environment. Opportunities for networking and mentorship are integrated throughout the internship. Program cohorts vary by season, with internships offered across multiple terms each year.
6. University of Washington Institute for Protein Design - Summer Research Program
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $3,200/month
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective (5-15%) / Small Cohort (15-40)
Dates: June 22 – August 22
Application Deadline: January 11
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduates (priority to sophomores/juniors); 18+; International applicants eligible
The University of Washington Institute for Protein Design Summer Research Program offers you a specialized research experience in computational biology and protein engineering. You will work on mentored projects involving protein design, modeling, and experimental validation. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, combining biology, chemistry, and computational techniques. Participants engage in seminars, collaborative discussions, and skill-building workshops. Students gain experience presenting their research findings in a professional setting. The program attracts a selective group of undergraduates interested in cutting-edge biological research. This intensive experience prepares you for graduate studies or careers in biotechnology and bioengineering.
7. University of Washington’s Molecular Engineering Materials Center - Summer REU
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $6,550
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely Selective (<5%) / Very Small Cohort (1-15)
Dates: June 22 – August 21
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Undergraduates (freshmen to non-graduating seniors); 1+ year college STEM coursework; U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
The University of Washington MEM-C Summer REU offers you a funded research experience in materials science and molecular engineering. You will work on mentored projects that involve laboratory experimentation, computational modeling, or materials characterization. The program provides training in research methods, data analysis, and scientific communication. You can attend workshops, seminars, and networking sessions with faculty and industry professionals. Collaboration with peers and researchers is a key component of the experience. The program concludes with a research presentation, allowing students to showcase their work.
8. University of Washington’s Molecular Engineering Materials Center - AYRA REU
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $2,300/quarter
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective (5-15%) / Very Small Cohort (1-15)
Dates: 2–3 Academic Quarters (September 30 – June 11)
Application Deadline: October 6
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; 18+ years old; undergraduate status with 1+ year STEM coursework
The University of Washington MEM-C AYRA REU offers you an academic-year research opportunity focused on materials science and engineering. You will engage in ongoing research projects under faculty mentorship, developing skills in experimentation, analysis, and technical communication. The program supports long-term involvement, allowing deeper exploration of research topics across multiple quarters. You collaborate with research groups and attend academic seminars and workshops. The experience emphasizes sustained learning and integration into the research community. You present your findings in academic or institutional settings. This sustained engagement ensures you develop deep technical expertise and professional readiness for future graduate-level research.
9. University of Washington Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies - REU
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $5,850; travel and on-campus housing provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely Selective (<5%) / Very Small Cohort (8 interns)
Dates: June 22 – August 21
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens/nationals or permanent residents, 18+, have completed two years of undergraduate study in Fall
The University of Washington CICOES REU offers you hands-on research experience in climate science, oceanography, and ecosystem studies. You will work on mentored projects that may involve fieldwork, data analysis, and environmental modeling. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration with scientists in environmental and earth sciences. You will also participate in seminars, workshops, and discussions on current climate challenges and research methods. Depending on your project, field site visits may be included. The program concludes with a final presentation of your research findings, helping you strengthen your scientific communication skills.
10. University of Washington IMOD - Research Experience for Undergraduates
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $7,000 + up to $600 travel allowance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; Very Small Cohort (1–15)
Dates: Historically falls around late May – early August (9–10 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, at least 18 by the program start date, with priority given to non-IMOD partner students who have completed 1–2 years of college
The IMOD REU provides you with a focused research experience in the development of next-generation optoelectronic materials and quantum-based information technologies. You will spend your time working full-time in a high-level research lab, gaining technical proficiency in chemical synthesis, material characterization, or device physics. During the program, you will attend professional development workshops and virtual seminars while collaborating with a network of researchers across multiple elite institutions. A unique feature includes funded travel to the University of Washington for the IMOD Annual Meeting, where you will engage with the broader scientific community. The summer concludes with you producing a formal abstract and presenting your findings during a final research symposium.
11. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) - Engineering Internships
Location: Various locations around Washington
Stipend: $3,840 – $5,137 per month
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately Selective / Medium Cohort (40–100)
Dates: Vary according to the internship
Application Deadline: Varies according to the internship
Eligibility: Enrolled BS/MS Civil Engineering students who have completed at least two semesters or three quarters of study
The WSDOT Engineering Internships offer you practical experience in civil engineering and transportation systems. You will work on real-world infrastructure projects, gaining exposure to planning, design, and project management processes. You will collaborate with engineers and professionals, developing technical and analytical skills, and the program provides insight into public sector engineering and large-scale transportation operations. Opportunities for site visits and fieldwork may be included depending on the role. This experience refines your technical analytical skills while exposing you to the complexities of state governmental engineering standards and environmental regulations. By rotating through regional assignments, you build a versatile portfolio that bridges academic theory and practical application.
12. WSDOT - Wetlands Ecology & Monitoring Techniques Internship
Location: The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA
Stipend: $5,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; Small Cohort (15-40)
Dates: June 22 – September 3
Application Deadline: April 12
Eligibility: Applicants must possess a degree (or near completion) in natural, environmental, or biological sciences, with coursework in wetlands ecology, botany, and statistics, plus plant and wildlife identification skills, and must enroll in TESC summer school.
In this internship, you will conduct quantitative field monitoring of wetland mitigation sites throughout Washington while enrolled in a mandatory summer session at The Evergreen State College. Your daily activities involve traveling to diverse ecological locations to identify Pacific Northwest plant species using technical keys and collecting hydrological data. This professional immersion focuses on mastering the WSDOT Wetland Mitigation Site Monitoring Methods and utilizing the USACE Wetland Delineation Manual. This partnership provides practical exposure to state regulatory standards, equipping you with the specialized skills required for careers in environmental consulting or resource management.
13. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) - Undergraduate Internship Program
Location: Washington State (Richland, Seattle, Sequim)
Stipend: $500 per week plus housing and travel allowances
Acceptance rate/cohort size: highly competitive; Large cohort; over 1,500 interns annually across all programs
Dates: 10-week summer term or 16-week fall and winter/spring terms
Application Deadline: Varies by specific opportunity and academic term
Eligibility: Currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited institution; maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to 3.3 depending on the specific program track; be at least 18 years of age; hold U.S. citizenship for select national security roles
As an undergraduate intern at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), you will engage directly with critical STEM initiatives spanning clean energy, national security, and computational biology. You will collaborate with experienced scientists to conduct hands-on research, utilizing advanced instrumentation like focused ion beam microscopes or investigating energy-efficient biofuels. For technology-centric projects, you will apply programming languages such as Python and Java, alongside machine learning models, to optimize data processing and develop web-based analytical risk models. Furthermore, you will participate in the PNNL Gold Experience, an enrichment initiative offering specialized scientific seminars, laboratory tours, and valuable professional networking within the Department of Energy framework.
14. University of Washington Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM) - REU
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $6,000; and up to $750 Reimbursement of travel expenses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 - August 21
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Applicants must be 18+, enrolled in a U.S. institution with some science coursework; participate in all program activities without other jobs or classes.
The University of Washington ISCRM REU offers you a research experience focused on stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. You will work on mentored laboratory projects, gaining hands-on experience in experimental techniques and data analysis. The program includes seminars, workshops, and interactions with researchers and clinicians. Participants develop skills in scientific communication and interdisciplinary collaboration. The experience culminates in a final presentation of research findings. The program selects a competitive cohort of undergraduate students each summer. You will develop scientific presentation skills and finalize your experience by presenting your research findings at an end-of-summer poster symposium.
15. University of Washington – REU-Blinks Program for Undergraduates
Location: University of Washington, Friday Harbour, WA
Stipend: $500/week and a travel allowance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely Selective; Very Small Cohort (1-15)
Dates: June 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents in their undergraduate careers; U.S. citizenship or permanent residency typically required
The University of Washington REU-Blinks Program offers you a research experience in biological and marine sciences at Friday Harbor. You will work on mentored projects that may involve fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and ecological research. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and collaboration in a field-based environment. Participants engage in seminars, discussions, and interactions with scientists in the field. Opportunities for field site exploration enhance the learning experience. The residential nature of the island facility allows you to live and dine alongside researchers from around the world, fostering deep professional connections. The program concludes with presentations of research findings, strengthening communication skills.
Image source - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center logo