15 Lab Research Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- Nov 13, 2025
- 10 min read
If you’re an undergraduate student interested in research, consider taking part in a lab internship. These programs offer hands-on experience in real lab environments where you can explore your field, learn experimental techniques, and see how projects are developed from start to finish.
What will I do as an undergraduate lab intern?
You might assist with experiments, collect and analyze data, contribute to research papers, or work on specialized equipment. Many internships also include guidance from faculty or graduate researchers who help you understand how research questions are formed and investigated.
Across the country, lab research internships cover fields such as biology, chemistry, neuroscience, physics, engineering, and computer science. These experiences help you develop skills that are valuable for future studies and give your resume or job applications a strong edge.
To make your search easier, here’s a list of 15 lab research internships for undergraduates!
15 Lab Research Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Various universities across the U.S.
Stipend: Varies by site; a competitive stipend will be provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically 10 students per site
Dates: 8–10 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Typically January–March
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or U.S. nationals
The NSF REU program offers paid summer research internships for undergraduate students in STEM fields. You work on active research projects at universities, labs, or field sites across the U.S., gaining hands-on experience in areas like biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and engineering. Each site is led by faculty and emphasizes mentoring, collaborative lab work, and professional development. You learn research methods, improve your scientific writing and communication, and explore career and educational pathways. Most programs last 8–10 weeks and include a stipend, housing, and travel support.
Location: NIH campuses across the country
Stipend: Varies, based on educational level
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: Typically start in June
Application Deadline: Varies; typically January to early February
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are 18 years or older by June 1, and enrolled at least half-time in an accredited educational institution
The NIH SIP offers full-time summer research internships for undergraduate students in fields like biomedical, behavioral, social sciences, physics, computer science, engineering, and bioinformatics. You join a research group led by a Principal Investigator at an NIH Institute or Center and contribute to basic, translational, or clinical research projects. The program lasts 8–10 weeks and takes place on NIH campuses nationwide, including Bethesda, Maryland. You receive mentorship, attend professional development workshops, and present your work at NIH’s Summer Poster Day.
Location: 17 DOE National Laboratories across the U.S.
Stipend: $650/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: 10 weeks across May – August or semester-long (August–December or January–May)
Application Deadline: Summer: January 7; Fall: May 21; Spring: October 1
Eligibility: Full-time students at an accredited institution (or recent graduates) who have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, are at least 18 years old, and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents. You can find more detailed information here
SULI places you in a Department of Energy national lab, where you’ll work on research projects guided by experienced scientists and engineers. These internships expose you to advanced instruments, specialized facilities, and the day-to-day practice of research in energy and technology fields. You’ll also take part in professional development activities such as seminars, lab tours, and technical writing workshops. The program requires you to present your work through a report, abstract, and oral or poster presentation, giving you practice in scientific communication.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type | Financial aid available
Application deadline: Cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10–20 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks | Open to high schoolers, undergraduates, and gap-year students
The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week virtual internship where you work on real projects with start-ups and corporate businesses. Founded by Harvard entrepreneurs, the program focuses on applied learning through assignments guided by start-up founders and supervisors with experience at places like Harvard Business School, McKinsey, Google, and Microsoft. You’ll develop problem-solving and project management skills, gain insight into entrepreneurial practices, and receive weekly mentorship from your manager and a Ladder Coach. The program ends with a final project presentation to strengthen your resume and professional portfolio.
Location: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, La Cañada Flintridge, CA
Stipend: Most internships provide a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: Summer internships run May–August; year-round options exist
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
JPL offers lab research internships for undergraduates that place you in NASA’s hub for robotic exploration of space, where research spans planetary science, Earth systems, and engineering. You’ll work on a defined project with mentorship from scientists or engineers, gaining direct experience in the challenges of mission-focused research. The environment is highly collaborative, with cohorts of students working together and participating in lab tours, seminars, and workshops. Each internship concludes with a presentation, allowing you to demonstrate both your technical contributions and your ability to communicate findings.
Location: 14 host universities across the country
Stipend: Varies by host institution
Acceptance rate/cohort size: At least 10 scholars per institution
Dates: 8–10 weeks from May through August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors enrolled in accredited four-year colleges or universities with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Amgen Scholars gives you the chance to engage in research at one of several leading universities, including institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, and Caltech. You’ll spend a summer conducting independent projects under faculty supervision while building connections with peers from across the country. A signature feature of this program is the North America Symposium, where you’ll share your findings, attend talks from leading scientists, and learn more about careers in drug discovery and development.
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Typically $3,000–$5,000; some include housing/travel
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: 8 – 10 weeks from June through August
Application Deadline: Typically February – March; BRI-SURE’s deadline is January 22
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with good academic standing who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents. Each program may have specific eligibility details
UCLA SPUR gives upper-division undergraduates the chance to do research with faculty mentors. You either assist with ongoing projects or work on a new project that fits your interests in areas like life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, or health sciences. The program also includes seminars on research writing, graduate school preparation, funding, and informal sessions with UCLA graduate students.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Stipend: Provided; details will be in the offer letter
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 35–45 students
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduates who have at least one full semester of coursework remaining following the program
The RISS program offers you an 11-week immersion in robotics and artificial intelligence at Carnegie Mellon’s renowned Robotics Institute. You’ll be paired with mentors from leading labs and participate in workshops, talks, and advanced technology demonstrations. Research opportunities span topics such as perception, manipulation, machine learning, and human–robot interaction. A key part of the experience is developing skills in research writing, presenting, and publishing. By the end of the summer, you’ll have a project that not only reflects your technical contributions but also prepares you for graduate-level work.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: Provided; details are provided in the welcome packet
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The previous cohort had 14 students
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending a two-year or four-year accredited college, who are 18 or older and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
At the PCCM REU, you’ll conduct original research that connects directly to active faculty projects in materials science and engineering. Over the course of nine weeks, you’ll work with faculty mentors from multiple disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. Rather than simplified undergraduate projects, this lab research internship for undergraduates integrates you into ongoing investigations, so you see how your work fits into broader research goals. You’ll also attend short courses and seminars introducing you to major challenges in materials research, and you’ll also hear discussions about the social role of science and engineering.
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Stipend: $6,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 25 students
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores and juniors
The SURF program places you in a Rockefeller University lab for ten weeks of intensive, hands-on research. You’ll be matched with a lab according to your interests and supervised by faculty, postdocs, or senior graduate students. Research areas cover a wide spectrum, from neuroscience and immunology to molecular biology, physics, and mathematical modeling. In addition to daily lab work, you’ll participate in weekly Journal Club sessions, where you practice presenting and analyzing scientific publications. A lecture series with Rockefeller faculty exposes you to the evolution of different research paths, and you’ll cap off the experience with a poster presentation of your own work.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Stipend: Approximately $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: 8 weeks, typically starting in June
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduates interested in stem cell research
HIP provides an eight-week introduction to stem cell science through direct placement in an HSCI faculty laboratory. You’ll join researchers working on diverse projects, from regenerative medicine to basic biology, and learn techniques central to the field. Since interns come from a wide range of backgrounds and prior experiences, you’ll work in a community that values shared learning and mentorship. Alongside your project, you’ll gain exposure to the broader scientific discussions and challenges shaping stem cell research.
Location: Microsoft Research Labs in Redmond, New York City, New England
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: 12 weeks starting in May
Application Deadline: October 6
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program majoring in a relevant field. Detailed eligibility requirements can be found here
As a Microsoft Research intern, you’ll spend 12 weeks contributing to projects at one of the company’s U.S.-based research labs. This lab research internship is designed for advanced undergraduates in computing-related fields and focuses on exposing you to state-of-the-art research across areas such as artificial intelligence, computer vision, human-computer interaction, and programming languages. You’ll collaborate with researchers, doctoral interns, engineers, and visiting faculty while being paired with a mentor who guides your project. Throughout the summer, you’ll also be expected to present findings, participate in the research community, and connect with peers across the program.
Location: Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, VA
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 20 students
Dates: Typically late May–early August; exact dates vary
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with prior research experience
J-SURP places you in a highly collaborative research environment where biologists, engineers, physicists, and computer scientists work side by side. Over ten weeks, you’ll contribute to projects in neuroscience, genetics, structural biology, imaging, or computational tool development. The program emphasizes mentorship and encourages you to present and discuss your work in both formal and informal settings. A strong focus on interdisciplinary training means you’ll gain experience not only in your assigned lab but also through exposure to diverse techniques and research models.
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Stipend: $7000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 students
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an undergraduate institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA out of 4.0 who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The TREND REU introduces you to nonlinear dynamics research through ten weeks of mentored work at the University of Maryland. Projects may be experimental, computational, theoretical, or a mix, covering topics as varied as plasma physics, turbulence, neural networks, and photonics. You’ll work closely with a faculty mentor and present your findings in weekly discussions with peers. Beyond lab research, this lab research internship for undergraduates integrates professional development, communication training, and outreach activities.
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Stipend: $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 10
Eligibility: Students who have completed at least two semesters of undergraduate study with at least one semester remaining, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Through Purdue’s SROP, you’ll spend eight weeks carrying out research alongside faculty mentors while preparing for future graduate studies. Your work will be matched to a faculty project, and you’ll devote full-time hours to developing research methods, analyzing results, and documenting progress. In parallel, the program provides workshops on personal statements, CV preparation, and academic career planning. You’ll also create both an abstract and a research poster, presenting your findings at the SROP Research Symposium.
Location: Various Abbott facilities across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid; amount varies by role and location
Dates: Typically 10–12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate program in a relevant discipline, authorized to work in the U.S., and willing to travel for internship placements
Abbott’s internship program places you in one of several fields, including engineering, information technology, manufacturing, and quality assurance. You’ll work on projects with direct business or research impact, gaining exposure to how a global healthcare company approaches problem-solving. Regular access to senior leadership is a distinctive feature, allowing you to learn about decision-making at the organizational level. Alongside project responsibilities, you’ll receive ongoing training and participate in a professional community of interns.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop a research paper.
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