15 Chemical Engineering Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re majoring in chemical engineering, an internship could be a great way to augment your knowledge and skills. Internships in the field give you a chance to apply theory to practical challenges, whether that’s developing sustainable fuels, improving pharmaceutical manufacturing, or working on large-scale industrial processes.
An internship also allows you to build technical expertise, explore career paths, and make connections in industries ranging from energy and biotechnology to materials science. Future employers closely examine internship experience when considering candidates for full-time roles, which means a summer spent in the lab or plant can significantly enhance your resume.
In this guide, we’ve found 15 chemical engineering internships for undergraduates.
15 Chemical Engineering Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: Stipend of $6,000 (based on an average of about ~400 working hours at a rate of $15/hour)
Program Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Opens November 15
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate students in engineering disciplines
The SURE program at the University of Michigan offers undergraduate students the chance to gain graduate-level research experience during the summer. You’ll work full-time with leading faculty across engineering fields, including chemical engineering, and receive guidance from a faculty advisor in a College of Engineering research facility. The program includes regular seminars and mentorship designed to help you explore graduate study at the master’s or Ph.D. level. In chemical engineering, only a resume is required, and individual faculty members manage their own candidate selection processes. The program’s goal is to introduce students to research, prepare them for advanced study, and help them build strong academic and professional networks.
Location: Remote (all you need is internet access)
Cost: Varies by program
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
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 Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form.
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $5,000 stipend
Program Dates: May 24 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in college, not enrolled at UM-Ann Arbor, with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and who have an interest in pursuing a graduate degree in one of the Rackham graduate programs. Applicants must also meet one or more additional criteria related to underrepresentation, diversity, financial hardship, or first-generation college status. Check the full criteria here
The Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) at the University of Michigan is a full-time, ten-week research experience designed for undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds in the sciences, engineering, and related fields. You’ll work under the mentorship of faculty and graduate students, gaining hands-on research experience while accessing campus resources. The program includes orientation, professional development workshops, and graduate application guidance, culminating in a Research Symposium where you’ll present your work. SROP also emphasizes supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds, fosters academic networks, promotes community engagement, and assists you in exploring pathways to graduate study.
Location: University of Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $7000 stipend, the program provides a modest travel expense reimbursement
Program Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Students must be US citizens or permanent residents who are enrolled in but not yet graduated from an accredited undergraduate college degree program with a concentration in a materials science–related field.
The MRSEC REU program provides immersive summer research opportunities within interdisciplinary materials science and engineering groups at the University of Chicago. Students, including those in Chemical Engineering, work closely with faculty and researchers on projects spanning soft and biological matter, activated architectured materials, and quantum information transmission in materials. The program offers mentorship, participation in seminar series and workshops, and exposure to the broader research community. You’ll develop laboratory skills, collaborative research experience, and professional networks in a leading materials science research environment.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara
Cost/Stipend: Up to 8 internship awards are given, with $5000 stipend provided. Shared housing will be provided for out-of-the-area students, and local students will receive an additional housing stipend.
Program Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, over 18 by the program start date, and currently enrolled as undergraduates (not in high school). They should be majoring or intending to major in science, engineering, or mathematics, with at least 4 semester units of calculus completed or in progress, and a minimum of 12 semester units in science and/or engineering courses.
The Quantum Foundry Research Internship Program at UC Santa Barbara offers undergraduate students an 8-week immersive research experience in quantum materials and quantum-based electronics. Students from California Community Colleges, California State Universities, and other primarily undergraduate institutions are matched with faculty and graduate student mentors to gain hands-on laboratory experience in a collaborative research environment. You’ll participate in weekly seminars, professional development workshops, and networking events, and develop oral and written science communication skills. This program provides a strong foundation for graduate study and careers in science and engineering.
Location: Georgia Tech (GT), University of Georgia (UGA), University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM), and University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW)
Cost/Stipend: Paid program
Program Dates: 10 weeks during the Summer
Application Deadline: Application deadlines vary by opportunity.
Eligibility: Undergraduate students currently enrolled in science or engineering programs (including chemical engineering, chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, bioengineering, and computer science). Must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. Students from underrepresented minority groups, women, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply
The CMaT Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunities (REU) program provides undergraduate students with a 10-week paid research experience in cell manufacturing and related fields. You are paired with graduate student and faculty mentors and work on projects at one of four participating campuses: Georgia Tech, University of Georgia, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, or University of Wisconsin-Madison. Research areas include stem cell therapeutics, cancer immunotherapy, organ-on-chip engineering, bioreactor design, bioinformatics, biomaterials, and more. This program offers hands-on lab experience, professional mentoring, and the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in science and engineering.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided
Program Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students in science and engineering disciplines who are U.S. Citizens or permanent residents, 18 years or older, have health insurance for the summer, and will not graduate before the end of the REU in August. Applicants must be enrolled at a two-year or four-year accredited college and have completed at least their freshman year, with rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors eligible to apply. Check the full criteria here
The Princeton Center for Complex Materials (PCCM) hosts a nine-week summer REU program that immerses undergraduates in cutting-edge research in materials science and engineering. You’ll work alongside faculty from diverse departments, including Physics, Chemistry, Chemical and Biological Engineering, and more. You’ll be integrated into ongoing faculty research based on your qualifications and interests, and get exposure to real-world scientific challenges. Beyond lab work, you’ll also attend short courses, lectures, and seminars exploring both technical topics and the role of science in society. Lab visits to both Princeton labs and industrial labs in the area are arranged. Past research topics have ranged from graphene aerogels to stress granules in cells, offering a wide breadth of opportunities.
Location: Columbia University & City College of New York (CCNY), New York, NY
Cost: Stipend provided
Program Dates: May 27 – August 2 (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students in science and engineering fields
This joint REU program between Columbia University, City College of New York, and the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center offers undergraduates the chance to engage in advanced interdisciplinary research in materials science. The program focuses on two primary thrusts: building layered heterostructures from two-dimensional materials like graphene, and creating three-dimensional solids from molecular “superatoms.” You’ll gain direct access to cutting-edge synthesis, characterization, and theory projects, guided by leading faculty across physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and related disciplines. Beyond lab work, the program includes workshops, safety training, and seminars, as well as visits to local industry and national labs like Brookhaven. You’ll also take part in recreational activities, present your findings at a summer symposium, and receive training in scientific writing and presentations.
Location: Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Cost/Stipend: $3,100 stipend
Program Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: Current community college students who have completed at least one year at their community college and have an interest in transferring to Kansas State University or Current Kansas State University students (rising sophomores or juniors) with no prior research experience. Transfer students encouraged to apply.
The Research Immersion: Pathways to STEM (RiPS) program at Kansas State University is an 8-week summer research experience that pairs students with mentors to conduct independent research projects in science, technology, engineering, and math. Chemical Engineering is listed among the supported STEM majors, allowing undergraduate students in this field to gain hands-on research experience, professional preparation, and networking opportunities.
Location: Varies
Cost: Not Mentioned
Program Dates: One-to-two years of program from the start date
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: DACA participants with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field; applicants must not already hold a Ph.D. or have accepted graduate admission for the current academic year. Applications from Black, Latinx, American Indian, Pacific Islander, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are encouraged
The ACS Bridge Program is designed to expand access to doctoral studies in the chemical sciences by providing transitional pathways for students from underrepresented backgrounds. The program offers one- to two-year post-baccalaureate or master’s opportunities that prepare you for successful entry into Ph.D. programs. Bridge Fellows benefit from tailored mentoring, financial support, research opportunities, and professional development resources, including workshops, networking, and travel awards. You’ll be matched with partner institutions based on your academic background and career goals, with programs customized to strengthen coursework, research experience, and graduate school preparation.
Location: DOE National Laboratories across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Program Dates: 10-week summer program or semester-long
Application Deadline: October 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students or recent graduates in STEM fields
The SULI program allows undergraduate students and recent graduates to work at DOE national laboratories under the mentorship of leading science experts. You’ll gain in-depth, hands-on experience in a specific research area under the mentorship of a leading science expert. This focused approach allows you to develop expertise in one of the many science and technology fields that support the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) missions, maximizing exposure and skill development while contributing to meaningful research projects. This program provides structured guidance, including application workshops, checklists, and mentorship, to ensure interns gain maximum benefit from their laboratory experience.
Location: University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Cost/Stipend: $6,000 stipend
Program Dates: June 9 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current sophomore or junior in a STEM program with a GPA of higher than 3.0 and must be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident of the US. Freshman applicants are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a special basis
The CHARM REU program at the University of Delaware offers a ten-week, full-time summer research experience in materials science and engineering. You’ll participate in collaborative projects focused on nature-inspired, computationally designed materials and emerging terahertz technologies, working in laboratories led by faculty from Materials Science & Engineering, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, and Physics & Astronomy. You’ll gain hands-on experience in experimental and computational research across soft and hard materials, while also attending professional development workshops, trips to local industry sites and national labs, and mentorship opportunities. The program provides a supportive, interdisciplinary community that helps students develop both technical and professional skills.
Location: Multiple Locations
Cost/Stipend: $6,000 stipend
Program Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in a degree-granting college/university who have completed at least 2 semesters of coursework and have at least one semester remaining before earning a bachelor’s degree
The RISE summer internship offers undergraduates hands-on research experience in bioenergy and related fields. You’ll gain exposure to plant biology, agronomy, synthetic biology, genetics, environmental sciences, chemical engineering, and civil & environmental engineering. You’re paired with mentors from CABBI or ASAP, conduct research projects, attend career development seminars, and develop STEM communication skills through presentations at a summer symposium. This ten-week experience is designed to help students explore research pathways, build professional skills, and gain insights into graduate school preparation. Check out the project descriptions here.
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Cost: Not mentioned
Program Dates: 12 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in a 4-year Chemical Engineering degree program
The Flint Hills Resources Summer Chemical Engineering Internship gives undergraduate students hands-on experience in a leading U.S. refining company. Over 12 weeks, you’ll work on real-world projects in process engineering, plant optimization, process controls, and troubleshooting. You’ll gain exposure to industry operations, professional development sessions, and networking opportunities, while learning about Flint Hills Resources and its parent company, Koch Industries. As a Chemical Engineering Intern, you’ll invest in your future while learning about process engineering, plant optimization, process controls and troubleshooting situations. Interns are assigned individual projects as well as mentors to help them pave their way to success.
Location: Multiple locations across the United States
Cost: Not mentioned
Program Dates: 12 weeks during the Summer
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Students who are currently in the process of obtaining their bachelor's or graduate degree. Majors accepted are Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Information Technology
The Evonik Summer Professional Enrichment (SPE) Internship gives undergraduate chemical engineering students hands-on experience in a leading specialty chemicals company. Over 12 weeks, you’ll work on real-world chemical engineering projects such as process scale-up/scale-down, production documentation, and field testing of equipment. You’ll gain exposure to Evonik’s operations, professional development sessions, and networking opportunities, while learning about the company’s business portfolio and connecting with leaders and peers across the organization.
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.
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 Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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.
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