14 Internships for College Students in Tennessee
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 10 min read
Internships can help college students explore academic interests, gain exposure to professional environments, and develop skills outside the classroom. Depending on the field, internships may offer opportunities to contribute to research projects, support organizational initiatives, analyze data, or work alongside professionals in structured learning environments. Many programs also include mentorship, seminars, networking opportunities, and project presentations that can help students strengthen their resumes and better understand potential career paths.
Why should I do an internship in Tennessee as a college student?
Tennessee offers internship opportunities across healthcare, biomedical research, engineering, nonprofits, public health, and technology, particularly through universities, medical centers, and statewide organizations. Many programs allow students to work with faculty, researchers, clinicians, or professionals on structured projects while developing technical, analytical, and communication skills. Some internships also include workshops, research presentations, or mentorship that can support future applications for graduate school, medical school, research programs, or full-time roles.
To make your search easier, we have narrowed down a list of 14 internships for college students in Tennessee.
If you’re looking for paid online internships, check out our blog here.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship program where you work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that addresses a genuine need for the startup they are working with and present their work at the end of their internship. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup. Apply now.
Location: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Stipend: $650/week stipend (up to $6,500 total; housing not fully covered)
Application Deadline: Mid-January (early deadline in December)
Program Dates: May 25 – August 1
Eligibility: Rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA; must have completed relevant science coursework; U.S. citizens or permanent residents only
The Aspirnaut Undergraduate Discovery Science Experience in Renal Biology and Disease is a 10-week research internship where you work full-time in a biomedical lab at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. You join a mentor-led research group and take part in designing experiments, collecting data, and analyzing results focused on renal biology and disease. The program emphasizes independent scientific inquiry, with you contributing to ongoing research projects and developing original findings. A key component is presenting your work through abstracts, posters, and oral presentations, including participation in a national undergraduate research conference.
Location: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Cost/Stipend: Funded (NSF REU and institutional funding; stipend provided, housing available for some participants)
Application Deadline: February 15
Program Dates: May 26 – July 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and select high school students; U.S. citizens or permanent residents required
The VUMC Summer Research Internship Program in Biomedical Informatics is a 10-week research experience where you work on faculty-mentored projects at the intersection of healthcare and data science. You engage in computational biology, clinical informatics, or health data analysis, applying programming and analytical methods to real-world medical challenges. Each participant is matched with a mentor and contributes to an active research project, often culminating in a final report and presentation. Alongside your research, you attend a seminar series featuring leading researchers who present diverse approaches and applications in biomedical informatics. The program is embedded within Vanderbilt’s broader summer science ecosystem, giving you access to additional workshops and professional development resources.
Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Stipend: $5,000 stipend (housing provided; travel covered + additional $500 conference travel grant)
Application Deadline: February 1
Program Dates: 9 weeks (summer; exact dates vary annually)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (rising sophomores to seniors) with a minimum 3.0 GPA; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; strong interest in MD/PhD pathways
The Vanderbilt MSTP Summer Research Program is a mentored research internship where you work on an independent, hypothesis-driven project in a physician-scientist’s lab. You are matched with a faculty mentor based on your research interests and contribute to ongoing work in areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, genetics, or biomedical engineering. Alongside lab research, you gain clinical exposure by shadowing your mentor in a medical setting, helping you understand how research and patient care intersect. The program also includes structured enrichment activities such as weekly data discussions, seminars, and mentorship from current MD/PhD students. At the end of the summer, you present your work at a research symposium, building experience in scientific communication.
Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Stipend: $7,000 stipend; housing provided; travel support available
Application Deadline: February 1
Program Dates: May 26 – July 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in chemistry, biology, or related fields; minimum 3.0 GPA; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Vanderbilt Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Chemical Biology is a 10-week, full-time research program where you work on interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of chemistry, biology, and medicine. You are placed in a research group and mentored by faculty from both the Department of Chemistry and the School of Medicine, contributing to ongoing work in areas like drug discovery and molecular science. Throughout the program, you spend around 40 hours per week in lab settings, gaining hands-on experience with experimental design, data analysis, and scientific problem-solving. The program also includes professional development activities and opportunities to interact with faculty and peers across different research areas. You present your work at a final symposium, building experience in communicating scientific results.
Location: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Stipend: $1,500 stipend; on-campus housing provided (meals and travel not included)
Application Deadline: February 1
Program Dates: Early June – early August
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with a minimum 3.5 GPA; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; strong interest in pursuing an MD or MD/PhD
The Vanderbilt Undergraduate Clinical Research Internship Program (UCRIP) is a summer internship where you combine research experience with direct exposure to clinical medicine. You are matched with a faculty mentor and complete a research project in a clinical or basic science area, depending on your interests. Alongside your research, you shadow physicians and participate in hospital rounds, providing hands-on observation of patient care within an academic medical environment. Weekly seminars cover topics like medical school admissions, healthcare systems, and career paths in medicine.
Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Stipend: $7,000 stipend; housing and meals provided; $500 travel allowance
Application Deadline: February 15
Program Dates: May 24 – July 30
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in STEM fields; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Vanderbilt VINSE Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is a 10-week summer program where you conduct interdisciplinary research in nanoscale science and engineering. You are placed in a faculty-led lab and work on a focused project that may involve areas like nanomaterials, photonics, biomedical engineering, or computational modeling. Each cohort is small, typically around 10 students, allowing for close mentorship and consistent interaction with faculty and graduate researchers. Throughout the program, you use shared research facilities and advanced lab equipment while developing skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific reasoning. In addition to lab work, you attend weekly sessions on topics such as research ethics, graduate school pathways, and scientific communication. You also present your work through posters or competitions, with opportunities to attend national conferences.
8. American Psychological Association — Summer Undergraduate Psychology Experience in Research (SUPER) Fellowship
Location: Host institution of your choice (your university or another U.S.-based institution with a faculty mentor)
Stipend: $4,000 stipend
Application Deadline: Typically, March
Program Dates: 9 weeks in the summer (flexible; set with your mentor)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled at accredited U.S. institutions
The American Psychological Association SUPER Fellowship is a mentored research program where you design and complete a psychology research project under a faculty supervisor. You first identify and secure a mentor, then spend nine weeks working within their lab or research group on a focused study in psychological science. The program emphasizes independent research, with you contributing to study design, data collection, and analysis. Alongside your project, you participate in virtual programming that connects you with other fellows, researchers, and APA staff. You also attend career development webinars that introduce pathways in psychology and related fields. Opportunities to present your research virtually are built into the program, helping you develop scientific communication skills.
Location: The Parthenon, Nashville, TN
Stipend: $15/hour on a bi-weekly basis
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: 8–12 weeks (summer)
Eligibility: College students and recent graduates with a minimum 3.25 GPA
The Wesley Paine Internship at The Parthenon is a paid summer program that provides hands-on experience across multiple areas of museum operations. You rotate through departments such as curatorial, education, and collections management, contributing to ongoing projects and daily institutional work. The internship is structured as a full-time role, with up to 40 hours per week spent supporting exhibitions, educational programming, and archival processes. You learn how museums manage collections, design public-facing content, and organize interpretive materials. Throughout the program, you work closely with museum staff and professionals, gaining insight into different career paths within the field.
Location: Nashville, TN
Stipend: Paid
Application Deadline: April 15
Program Dates: Spring: January – April | Summer: June – August | Fall: August – December
Eligibility: College students aged 18+ who have completed high school or equivalent
The Tennessee Department of Health Internship Program is a hands-on opportunity to work within a state agency and understand public health systems and policy implementation. You may be placed in divisions such as Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness or Family Health and Wellness, depending on your interests. Your work can involve tasks like disease surveillance, outbreak tracking, data analysis, or developing communication strategies for public health initiatives. The program exposes you to areas such as epidemiology, health informatics, and health equity through applied work rather than classroom instruction. You also collaborate with department staff, public health professionals, and legal teams while contributing to reports and policy-related projects.
Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded (includes stipend, housing, and travel support)
Application Deadline: February 1
Program Dates: 9 weeks (summer; full-time commitment required)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA; must have completed at least two semesters; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Vanderbilt Summer Diabetes Research Program is a full-time research internship where you work in a lab affiliated with the Vanderbilt Diabetes Center on projects related to diabetes and metabolic disease. You are matched with a faculty mentor and contribute to an active research project, engaging in tasks such as reviewing literature, designing experiments, and analyzing data. In addition to research, you attend seminars led by top scientists and engage in broader activities via the Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy. You also explore interdisciplinary collaboration across departments, highlighting Vanderbilt's collaborative spirit in biomedical research. A crucial part involves presenting your findings both in written reports and at research symposiums.
Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Stipend: $8,000 stipend (for housing and living expenses)
Application Deadline: January 19
Program Dates: 10 weeks (summer; full-time commitment required)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students from four-year colleges or universities (open to both Vanderbilt and external students)
The Vanderbilt School of Engineering Undergraduate Summer Research Program is a full-time, 10-week research experience where you work on an active engineering project under faculty supervision. You are placed in a lab and collaborate with faculty, graduate students, and research staff while contributing to ongoing work in areas such as biomedical engineering, computer science, or materials science. You are expected to engage in regular lab meetings, track progress, and contribute to project outcomes alongside your research group. In addition to lab work, you participate in professional development sessions and networking events designed to support your academic and career growth.
Location: American Red Cross offices, including Nashville, TN
Cost/Stipend: Paid and unpaid roles available
Application Deadline: Not fixed (apply as positions open)
Program Dates: Year-round; varies by role and academic calendar
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in a degree program
The American Red Cross Internship Program offers you the chance to work within a large nonprofit organization on mission-driven projects and operational tasks. You are assigned to a specific department and contribute to day-to-day functions, including program coordination, communications, and administrative support. Internships typically run for 10 weeks or longer, depending on the role and your availability. You can choose between remote and on-site positions, as well as paid or unpaid roles, based on the listing. The experience is structured to give you exposure to how a national nonprofit operates across different teams and functions.
Location: Virtual (open to students, including those based in Nashville, TN)
Cost: $1,299 + $25 application fee (fee waivers available)
Application Deadline: February 15
Program Dates: June 18 – August 12
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ (high school through undergraduate)
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) is a remote research experience where you work with a faculty mentor on a project in a specific STEM field. You can choose from areas such as neuroscience, data science, chemistry, engineering, computer science, or physics, depending on the mentors available. Throughout the program, you contribute to research tasks, including data analysis, literature reviews, and computational work, while developing scientific writing skills. The structure includes regular meetings with your mentor, as well as seminars and discussions led by researchers and faculty. You also engage a broader cohort of participants, enabling peer learning and collaboration. The program concludes with a research symposium where you review and present work completed across different projects.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.