15 Startup Research Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 1 day ago
- 14 min read
Securing an internship during your college years is a proactive way to bridge the gap between theoretical academic concepts and professional application. These opportunities offer essential exposure to industry standards, help you refine technical skills, and allow you to build a network of valuable professional connections that can last a lifetime. For those seeking flexibility, online internships are particularly accessible, affordable options that fit into a busy academic schedule without the need for relocation. If you are drawn to the fast-paced nature of the innovation economy, startup research internships can be a great learning experience.
Why should I do a startup research internship in college?
Engaging in a startup research internship offers a unique vantage point into how new businesses scale and solve complex problems. Whether you are assisting a venture capital firm in analyzing emerging market trends or working directly within a seed-stage company to conduct consumer behavior studies, you will develop a versatile skill set that is highly appealing to recruiters. These roles often require a high degree of autonomy and critical thinking, allowing you to take ownership of projects that have a measurable impact on a company's trajectory.
The key benefit of pursuing startup research internships for undergraduates is the boost to your employability after graduation. Employers value candidates who understand lean operations in a startup and possess analytical skills for data-driven decision-making. By placing yourself in these environments, you will gain a nuanced understanding of topics like risk management and innovation that is difficult to replicate in a traditional corporate setting.
To help you shortlist the right opportunities, here is a list of 15 startup research internships for undergraduates.
If you’re looking for remote internships, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
Compensation varies widely across these internships, from unpaid or equity-only roles (Berkeley Pharmatech, EnergyMag) to highly competitive hourly rates at AI startups like Gimlet Labs ($50 to $60/hr), BrowserOS ($6,000 to $10,000/month), and Cleanlab ($30 to $50/hr), reflecting the premium placed on strong technical skills in startup research environments.
Internships span a wide range of fields including AI and machine learning research (Allen Institute, Google DeepMind, Vector Institute, Gimlet Labs, Cleanlab), biomedical and biotech research (Berkeley Pharmatech, Until, Truveta), energy and sustainability (Tesla Global Trade, EnergyMag), business and market research (Columbia Business School, Ladder University, NYC Startup Program), and product and hardware research (LumaField, BrowserOS).
Several internships are fully remote or offer remote options, including Ladder University Internship Program, Allen Institute for AI, Vector Institute, Berkeley Pharmatech, and EnergyMag, making them accessible to undergraduates regardless of location.
Students from underrepresented backgrounds should particularly consider the NYC Startup Internship Program, which is specifically structured to support underrepresented students with mentorship and professional development, and the Ladder University Internship Program, which offers financial aid and flexible remote access.
Deadlines for competitive programs are spread across the calendar year, with Vector Institute closing in January for summer, Berkeley Pharmatech closing April 10, and many others accepting rolling applications, so students should begin identifying opportunities in the fall and apply to January deadline programs well before the winter break.
Location: Remote; you can participate from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter)
Application deadline: Varies by cohort (January, May, September, and November cycles)
Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students who are able to commit 10 to 20 hours per week for 8 to 12 weeks
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual program where you work with startups and non-profits from around the world. During the internship, you will work directly with a startup team and contribute to a real-world project that addresses a specific need for the organization. Projects span various areas, including tech, hospitality, and management. Throughout the program, you will work closely with a manager or mentor at the startup who guides your progress and provides feedback on your work. This structure allows you to gain professional experience in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment while developing skills in communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. At the end of the internship, you will present your project and outcomes, demonstrating the impact of your work and the insights you gained during the program. Apply now!
Location: Allen Institute for AI, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid (competitive salary offered)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Varies by research team and year
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available; internships typically run for 12 weeks.
Application deadline: Rolling; summer applications usually open in late fall.
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students in AI-related fields
At the Allen Institute for AI, you will have the opportunity to engage in high-level robotics research that directly influences the trajectory of modern artificial intelligence. These startup research internships for undergraduates pair students with expert mentors to work on groundbreaking projects spanning computer vision and natural language processing. You will work with a high level of academic freedom, as the institute encourages the publication of research findings without the restrictive proprietary hurdles often found in corporate environments. Engineering-focused roles are also available, allowing you to build internal experimentation products or implement recently published models into live demos. The collaborative atmosphere ensures that your contributions help develop open-source AI models that serve the global scientific community.
Location: Google Offices around the world, including in the United States
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance size/cohort size: Varies by location and team demand
Dates: 12 – 24 weeks; commitment of a minimum of four days/week
Application deadline: Rolling cycle (applications organized by degree level and location).
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD programs
As a participant in the Student Researcher Program, you will collaborate directly with some of the most influential minds in the field of artificial intelligence. Your work will contribute to projects that push the frontiers of AI applications, with a frequent focus on solving complex problems for social good. Because Google DeepMind operates with the agility of a massive innovation hub, you will gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment that mirrors the technical rigor of top-tier startup research internships for undergraduates. The program is designed for deep immersion, requiring you to work in-person with your host team to foster real-time mentorship and collaboration. You will also benefit from a high-touch experience that includes technical panels, workshops, and exclusive networking sessions designed to integrate you into the global research community.
Location: Remote or Cleanlab, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $30 – $50/hour
Acceptance size/cohort size: Small group of interns/season
Dates: Seasonal opportunities: Fall, Spring, or Summer cycles
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Junior and senior year undergraduates and graduate students with strong Python and Machine Learning skills
Cleanlab offers a high-impact environment where you can spend time researching and working on applied machine learning and data science projects that directly address AI reliability. In this small, specialized startup founded by MIT PhDs, you will take ownership of high-value projects. Your work will involve utilizing data-centric AI to detect and remediate label errors, ensuring that AI applications can function reliably on real-world data. To be successful here, you should have a portfolio that showcases your coding proficiency, your ability to visualize complex data, and your creative approach to solving impactful problems. This is one of the few startup research internships for undergraduates that provides the choice between a fully remote setup or working from a collaborative office in the heart of San Francisco.
Location: Columbia University’s Business School, New York, NY
Stipend: ~$3,000 – $3,500/month
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: Not specified (typically, rolling basis)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or international students enrolled in a U.S. degree program (CPT/OPT eligible); the program is typically meant for undergraduates entering junior or senior year, though graduating seniors and first-year master's students may also apply.
Columbia Business School’s internship places you on a research project with Columbia Business School faculty in areas like finance, economics, marketing, data analytics, or behavioral sciences. Depending on your project, your tasks may include literature reviews, data collection, web scraping, statistical analysis, or running experiments. You can focus on startups, marketing research for early-stage ventures, or related topics for your research. Some projects may require you to practice advanced skills like machine learning or natural language processing. Throughout the summer, you will attend a weekly seminar series where faculty and PhD students share their research. The program will wrap up with you presenting your work to the CBS research community.
Location: LumaField, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $30 – $35/hour; relocation assistance provided for out-of-state interns.
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June – August
Application deadline: Typically, early spring
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate juniors or seniors studying marketing, business, engineering, design, or related fields
At LumaField, you will explore the intersection of hardware engineering and strategic communication as an intern. The internship will require you to conduct primary research and run scanning experiments using industrial CT technology to produce high-level industry reports. You will work alongside a team of PhDs and industry experts to translate complex technical data into compelling visuals and narratives that explain how products are manufactured. Because LumaField is a fast-growing startup, you will be expected to drive projects independently and dig into new industries to identify emerging trends in product quality. Your contributions will directly support the development of long-form reports and presentations that help engineers worldwide understand the internal mechanics of their hardware. This role is ideal for those with a background in visual storytelling and a curiosity about how physical products are designed and optimized.
Location: Until office, Bay Area, CA
Stipend: $30 – $40/hour
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Seasonal (typically 10 – 12 weeks)
Application deadline: Rolling (apply via the Until careers portal).
Eligibility: Currently enrolled university students (undergraduate or master’s)
This rotational internship at Until offers you the opportunity to work at the intersection of "moonshot" biology and early-stage startup management. You will split your time between business development tasks and hands-on laboratory logistics. Your responsibilities will include conducting light research, supporting recruitment events, and coordinating the technical materials required for the company’s reversible cryopreservation work. This role is designed for those seeking a holistic understanding of how a biotech startup scales, offering direct exposure to the workflows of both senior scientists and operations leaders. By assisting with inventory tracking and equipment coordination, you will play a role in ensuring the research environment remains efficient and organized.
Location: Various Startup Offices, New York City, NY
Stipend: Paid (Includes a paid pre-internship training week)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Yearly numbers unavailable; ~260 students across various startups over three years
Dates: June 8 – August 14 (10 weeks)
Application deadline: Early in the year; the interest form is currently available.
Eligibility: Students attending a New York City-based institution or an institution with a NYC campus
The NYC Startup Internship Program is a collaborative initiative designed to integrate local talent directly into the city's thriving technology and innovation sectors. You will begin with a comprehensive training week that serves as a primer on startup culture before transitioning into a nine-week placement at a venture-backed company. These startup internships for undergraduates offer roles across diverse disciplines, including data science, software engineering, research, and operations, with a particular focus on companies solving challenges in AI and the green economy. Throughout the summer, you will receive mentorship and opportunities to participate in professional development workshops designed to build long-term pathways into the innovation economy. The program is specifically structured to support students from underrepresented backgrounds, providing the professional skills and networking experiences necessary to secure high-wage positions in the tech workforce.
Location: Remote internships available for U.S. students
Stipend: Paid (funded through the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy).
Acceptance size/cohort size: Varies by faculty funding and project needs
Dates: May – August (Summer term); Fall and Winter terms also available.
Application deadline: January (for the Summer term); other terms’ deadlines TBA
Eligibility: Second-year undergraduates or higher in STEM, Business, or Economics with ML experience.
The Vector Institute lets you engage in cutting-edge AI research that bridges academic theory with practical, real-world applications. As an intern, you will work directly with Vector Faculty Members on specialized topics such as generative models, reinforcement learning, and security or privacy in artificial intelligence. A standout feature of this program is the IMPACT Mentorship Program, which matches you with an AI expert from a sponsor organization to help you refine your technical skills and navigate the job market. You will participate in projects that often result in tangible contributions to the global AI ecosystem, and the collaborative culture is designed to propel your professional journey forward. Whether your interest lies in robotics, health-focused computational biology, or statistical learning theory, these startup research internships for undergraduates offer the resources and mentorship necessary to pursue a career in these fields.
Location: BrowserOS, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $6,000 – $10,000/month
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer cycle (typically 12 weeks)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: College sophomores and above with experience in working with TypeScript or AI agents
In this internship, you will join a Y Combinator-backed startup developing an open-source agentic browser that serves as a generalist AI assistant. This role places you with a small team working on training and fine-tuning Large Action Models (LAMs) to automate complex tasks directly within the web environment. As an ML Research Engineer Intern, you will be expected to work with TypeScript and build autonomous agents. Your work will go beyond simple theory into the deployment of state-of-the-art browser agents. This can be an opportunity to experience startup culture and work directly with founders to redefine the browser as the primary operating system for artificial intelligence.
Location: Remote
Stipend: Equity compensation available
Acceptance size/cohort size: 16 positions
Dates: May 26 – August 14
Application deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Biology, Bioengineering, or relevant courses
Berkeley Pharmatech offers a specialized “Medical Research Bootcamp" designed to immerse you in the biotechnology incubator ecosystem from a remote setting. During this 12-hour-per-week commitment, you will be placed in interdisciplinary teams of three or four to tackle specific medical challenges, such as researching new treatments for diabetes or investigating cellular degeneration. Your primary responsibilities include conducting in-depth literature reviews in PubMed, attending webinars, and producing technical writing to support the development of novel biotech products. This role is suited for students pursuing an MD/PhD path, as it provides hands-on experience in brainstorming and proposing medical solutions alongside a diverse cohort of student-scientists in a biomedical startup setting.
Location: Tesla, Hayward, CA
Stipend: $21 – $30/hour + comprehensive benefits
Acceptance size/cohort size: Selective
Dates: May – December (minimum 6-month commitment)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students with advanced Excel skills and an interest in global trade or supply chain.
Joining the Global Trade Team at Tesla allows you to support international import and export operations for a company at the forefront of sustainable energy. This rotational role is structured to give you exposure to various functional areas, including trade legal, strategy, and operations, before you narrow your focus for the second half of the program. You will learn how to apply "First Principle Thinking" to identify and drive operational efficiencies within Tesla's complex global footprint. The experience culminates in a capstone deliverable in which you present a major project or process improvement to team leadership, showcasing the technical and professional growth you have achieved during your tenure. This can be an opportunity to research and work on critical, real-world projects that expand innovative technology into new global markets.
Location: Truveta, Bellevue, WA (hybrid role)
Stipend: $20/hour
Acceptance size/cohort size: Varies by research team and year.
Dates: June – August (minimum of 10 weeks).
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students currently pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Data Science, Public Health, or related fields
The Truveta Research Analyst Summer Internship provides you with an opportunity to work within a healthcare data and tech startup, engage with large-scale electronic health record (EHR) data, and derive medical insights. You will work alongside experienced researchers and technology leaders to reproduce published clinical studies in oncology and cardiology, ensuring methodological rigor and scientific comparability. Your role involves learning the Truveta data model and research platform to scale analyses across an unprecedentedly diverse dataset of over 100 million patients. Throughout the summer, you will contribute to developing "plug-and-play" study templates and help draft scientific manuscripts or reports that communicate your findings to internal stakeholders.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Two to eight weeks in the summer | One to nine months during the year; flexible dates
Application deadline: Open year-round
Eligibility: College students with a GPA of 3.0; high school students are also eligible.
EnergyMag offers research-focused internships to college students interested in learning how to report energy developments and organizational activities with a focus on sustainability, clean energy, and energy storage. During the internship, you will investigate and analyze a given organization, which can be a startup, a technology, a market, or an activity, under the guidance of a mentor to gain insights related to energy use and storage. While working on the assignment, you will compile and assess the data you collect from sources, and draft an analysis report, which may be published on the EnergyMag website. This experience can help you develop core research skills.
Location: Gimlet Labs, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $50 – $60/hour
Acceptance size/cohort size: Select members of technical staff
Dates: Summer cycle (typically 12 weeks)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students pursuing a degree in computer science, engineering, or a comparable area of study
Gimlet Labs is a startup that offers students the opportunity to work at the forefront of heterogeneous computing by building a “neocloud” that decouples AI workloads from specific hardware. As a research intern, you will join a team responsible for evaluating and implementing advanced techniques that drive model performance and efficiency, such as KV caching and FlashAttention. Your role will involve monitoring cutting-edge research and prototyping frameworks that leverage knowledge distillation and fine-tuning to optimize inference across diverse hardware generations. This position requires a solid foundation in distributed systems and experience with frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow to push the boundaries of what is possible in gigawatt-class AI datacenters. By participating in this program, you gain hands-on experience in solving the fundamental cost and power constraints currently facing the AI industry.
Frequently asked questions
What types of startup research internships are available for undergraduates?
Options include AI and ML research internships (Allen Institute, Google DeepMind, Vector Institute, Gimlet Labs, Cleanlab), biomedical and biotech startup internships (Berkeley Pharmatech, Until, Truveta), energy and sustainability internships (Tesla, EnergyMag), business and economics research internships (Columbia Business School, Ladder University), product and hardware research internships (LumaField), and city-based startup placement programs (NYC Startup Internship Program).
Which startup research internships offer the highest compensation?
BrowserOS offers the highest compensation at $6,000 to $10,000 per month. Gimlet Labs pays $50 to $60 per hour and Cleanlab pays $30 to $50 per hour. Tesla Global Trade pays $21 to $30 per hour with additional benefits. LumaField pays $30 to $35 per hour with relocation assistance. Columbia Business School provides $3,000 to $3,500 per month for its summer research program.
Which internships are best for students interested in AI or machine learning research?
Allen Institute for AI offers publication-friendly research placements in computer vision and natural language processing. Google DeepMind Student Researcher Program provides deep immersion in frontier AI research with in-person mentorship. Vector Institute focuses on generative models, reinforcement learning, and AI safety with an industry mentor matching program. Gimlet Labs and BrowserOS both work on cutting-edge AI systems, with Gimlet focusing on hardware-optimized model inference and BrowserOS on large action model training.
Are there startup research internships suitable for students without deep technical backgrounds?
Columbia Business School Summer Research Internship accepts students across finance, marketing, economics, and behavioral science and does not require programming experience for all roles. Ladder University Internship Program places students across various industries including management, hospitality, and operations. EnergyMag offers research and writing internships focused on sustainability and clean energy, suited for students interested in journalism or policy rather than engineering. NYC Startup Internship Program places students across data science, operations, and research roles depending on background.
Which internships are best for students interested in biomedical or healthcare research?
Berkeley Pharmatech's Medical Research Bootcamp places interdisciplinary student teams on biomedical challenges like diabetes treatment and cellular degeneration, with a focus on literature review and technical writing. Until's rotational internship combines biotech lab logistics with business operations at a cryopreservation startup. Truveta Research Analyst Internship works with large-scale electronic health record data to reproduce clinical studies in oncology and cardiology.
When should I apply to startup research internships for undergraduates?
Vector Institute closes in January for its summer term, making it one of the earliest deadlines. Berkeley Pharmatech closes April 10. Columbia Business School accepts applications on a rolling basis for its June start. Google DeepMind, Allen Institute, Cleanlab, BrowserOS, Gimlet Labs, and Truveta all accept rolling applications with no fixed deadline. Students should begin researching and preparing materials in the fall and submit applications to January deadline programs well before the winter break.
One other option—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.