15 NYC Summer Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- Apr 12
- 12 min read
As an undergraduate student, summer internships offer you valuable opportunities to gain experience, strengthen career-related skills, and expand your professional networks. These programs often allow you to apply academic knowledge in practical settings, work alongside professionals in your field, and gain insights into the day-to-day realities of various industries. Whether you're interested in policy, finance, the arts, or science, a well-chosen summer internship can offer strong preparation for future academic or career paths.
Why should you intern in NYC?
New York City is home to a wide range of organizations across finance, media, healthcare, government, and technology, offering structured opportunities to explore different fields. You might work on tasks like analyzing data, supporting research, contributing to policy work, assisting with product development, or helping manage projects while working with professionals across industries. Whether you’re based in the city or coming from elsewhere, these internships allow you to gain experience, build connections, and understand how different sectors operate in a major global hub.
To help you get started, we put together 15 summer internships for undergraduates in New York City.
If you’re looking for remote internships, check out our blog here.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program format; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: November 16 (Winter cohort); additional cohorts year-round
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder Internship program is a selective opportunity for high school students looking to work with startups in fields such as technology, machine learning, AI, finance, sustainability, healthcare, media, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies that have raised substantial funding, with founders from top accelerators like YCombinator and from companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. During the internship, you will be paired with one high-growth organization, work on a real-world project, and present your work at the end. You will be guided by a startup manager and a Ladder Coach, who will act as a second mentor and help you navigate the startup environment. The internship lasts eight weeks and follows a unique coaching-plus-work model.
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; paid internship (about $72,100 annualized salary)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; about 50 interns across business areas
Dates: Early June – August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: October 12
Eligibility: Current juniors graduating Winter 2026 to Spring 2027 with interest in business, finance, data, operations, or public service. Must be eligible to work in the U.S.
This internship gives rising college seniors the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work at one of the most influential financial institutions in the country. Over ten weeks, you'll work within one business function at the New York Fed, ranging from corporate real estate and procurement to finance and data management on real-world projects. The program uses a cohort-based learning model that promotes community and collaboration among interns. In addition to project work, you'll attend development sessions with senior leaders, receive guidance from a professional mentor, and take part in networking opportunities across departments. Tasks may include creating data dashboards, analyzing policies, preparing financial reports, and participating in team events and presentations. The internship aims to build your technical, analytical, and communication skills in a mission-driven, public service context.
Location: New York City, NY (host sites across the five boroughs)
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; paid internship ($16.50/hour minimum, most roles pay $18/hour or more)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; about 150–200 interns placed each year
Dates: Late May – Early August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: December 31 (early summer deadline)
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students who are NYC residents enrolled at any U.S. college or students enrolled at NYC-based colleges. Must be at least 18, eligible to work in the U.S., and have a 3.0 GPA
The LifeSci NYC Internship Program connects undergraduate and graduate students with paid internships in New York City’s growing life sciences sector. Interns are placed in biotech firms, research labs, startups, and public health organizations, gaining hands-on experience in areas like research, data analysis, communications, and operations. In addition to your placement, you will attend a pre-internship “boot camp” designed to build both technical and professional development skills. Roles vary by host company, but you are expected to take on meaningful, project-based work relevant to the field. The program is supported by NYCEDC as part of a broader investment in the city’s biotech and healthcare ecosystem and emphasizes training a diverse cohort of future industry leaders.
Location: The New York Times, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; paid internship
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Competitive; exact number not disclosed
Dates: 10 weeks, typically early June – mid-August
Application Deadline: Fall
Eligibility: Undergraduate students, recent graduates, and nontraditional candidates from relevant programs
The New York Times offers a 10-week, paid summer internship program for students interested in roles outside of journalism. You will be placed across departments such as Technology, Data, Product and Design, Marketing, and Advertising, where you will support real-time projects that contribute to the company’s operations and growth. The program includes professional development events and speaker sessions with senior leaders, giving interns insights into both the media business and the challenges of digital innovation. While each role has its own responsibilities, most involve close collaboration with full-time teams and opportunities to pitch ideas or contribute to ongoing strategy.
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY (The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters)
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; $24/hour plus $1,500 housing and travel stipend
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size varies by department
Dates: June 2 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (sophomores–seniors), graduate students, recent graduates within 12 months, and PhD students not yet in candidacy
As a MuSe intern at The Met, you’ll spend ten weeks immersed in the daily work of one of the world’s largest and most well-known art institutions. You’ll be placed in a specific department, such as Education, External Affairs, Curatorial, Scientific Research, or Design, based on your academic background and interests. In addition to your departmental work, you’ll attend weekly seminars that explore how museum professionals collaborate to manage exhibitions, public programming, and long-term planning. During the first two weeks, you’ll take part in public engagement training, then apply what you learn by designing and leading tours or public programs. Some interns are also placed at The Met Cloisters, where you'll focus on medieval art and site-specific interpretation work.
Location: New York Genome Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; paid internship
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in relevant fields who are authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship and available full-time for the internship
If you're looking to explore the field of genomics through hands-on research, the New York Genome Center’s Summer Internship Program offers a focused 8-week experience working directly with scientists and staff. You’ll be matched with a mentor in one of the NYGC’s research labs, scientific teams, or administrative departments, where you’ll take on real projects such as analyzing sequencing data, coding bioinformatics tools, or benchmarking algorithms. Alongside your technical work, you’ll attend weekly workshops, career panels, and enrichment sessions to build your skills and gain insight into genomics-related careers. The program is designed to develop your research capabilities and introduce you to cutting-edge developments in genome science.
Location: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; $560 per week
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; about 10–12 interns per cycle
Dates: Early June – early August (9 weeks; starts first Monday in June)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: College sophomores and juniors who have completed at least two years by the start date. Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
If you're interested in public service, law, or criminal justice, the Manhattan DA’s College Internship Program offers a hands-on opportunity to explore the inner workings of one of the most prominent prosecutor’s offices in the country. During this nine-week summer program, you’ll work full-time alongside Assistant District Attorneys and support staff on tasks like trial prep, legal research, crime victim support, and community outreach. You’ll also attend weekly lectures, case study sessions, and career panels, including a mock appellate argument and a chance to meet the DA. Past interns have toured the Antiquities Trafficking Unit, observed court proceedings, and participated in social and networking events with legal staff and fellow interns.
Location: NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; $5,000 stipend plus housing and travel support
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; about 30 students each summer
Dates: May 31 – August 1 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Opens October 1; decisions released mid-March
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have completed sophomore or junior year and at least one semester of bench research
As a SURP intern at NYU’s Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, you’ll spend eight weeks conducting hands-on research in a biomedical lab, working directly with faculty at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, making this one of the most desired NYC summer internships for undergraduates. You’ll be matched to a lab based on your interests and background, and you’ll spend most of your time developing real lab skills while contributing to ongoing research. Beyond your lab work, you’ll participate in weekly seminars, journal clubs, and professional development events, plus social activities like museum visits and concerts. You’ll also present your research in a final poster session and may be selected to attend the Leadership Alliance National Symposium. The program is designed to give you a clear, practical view of biomedical research and graduate-level science.
Location: BNY Mellon, New York, NY (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; paid internship
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: 10 weeks, typically early June – mid-August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current juniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA; must not require visa sponsorship
Through BNY Mellon’s 10-week Summer Internship Program, you’ll gain hands-on experience at one of the most established financial institutions in the U.S. You’ll be assigned to one of several business areas, ranging from operations, risk and compliance, and asset servicing, to product innovation and technology, and take on real projects aligned with your interests. You’ll also attend development workshops, mentorship sessions, and leadership talks that help you build core skills for the finance and tech sectors. The program is designed to give you exposure to global operations, with a direct path to be considered for the company’s full-time analyst program. Most roles are hybrid and based in New York City.
Location: Various NYC government agencies across New York City
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; paid internship
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Moderately selective; about 860 interns across 35+ agencies each year
Dates: May – September, up to 13 weeks (varies by agency)
Application Deadline: Opens in February; varies by role and agency
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (enrolled or recent grads within 1 year), and graduate or law students. Must be able to commute in person; NYC residency not required
As an intern in the NYC Summer Internship Program (SIP), you’ll work with city agencies across a variety of public sectors, ranging from housing and transportation to law enforcement, technology, and finance. You’ll be assigned to a department based on your interests and the agency’s needs, where you’ll assist with projects, research, public services, and city operations. In addition to your day-to-day responsibilities, you’ll have access to professional development sessions, civil service career guidance, and a growing network of SIP alumni. Over 850 students participated in the previous program, making it one of the largest city-run internship initiatives in the country.
Location: Jane Street, New York, NY (also in London and Hong Kong)
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; paid internship (compensation among the highest in the industry)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Extremely selective; small team-based cohorts
Dates: 10–12 weeks, May – September
Application Deadline: Rolling; early applications encouraged
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students from any major with strong skills in math, logic, computer science, or analytical problem solving
At Jane Street, you’ll spend 10–12 weeks working on real projects in quantitative trading, software engineering, machine learning, or strategy, depending on your interests and skills. You’ll be placed in a team where you’ll contribute to active problems and take part in hands-on classes, mock trading sessions, and group discussions designed to help you think more like a decision-maker in fast-paced environments. You don’t need a background in finance, just a strong foundation in logic, math, programming, or data, and a collaborative mindset. Beyond your project work, you’ll attend team outings, social events, and even poker lessons as part of a globally connected intern cohort. Jane Street’s internship emphasizes independent thinking, mentorship, and problem-solving, all in a culture that values humility and curiosity.
Location: Offices in New York City, London, and Stockholm
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; paid internship
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: 10 weeks, typically June – August
Application Deadline: Typically opens in fall (September–October); 2025 cycle closed
Eligibility: Students in their graduating or penultimate year pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, or bootcamp certification
As an intern, you’ll join Spotify’s mission to unlock the potential of human creativity by helping millions of artists connect with their audiences. You’ll work on real projects, whether that’s improving product features, developing internal tools, analyzing data, or supporting business strategies. Along the way, you’ll be paired with a mentor, attend networking events, and gain exposure to Spotify’s collaborative and fast-paced environment. The program is one of the unique NYC summer internships for undergraduates, designed to give you a deep understanding of your field while helping you build the skills, connections, and confidence to launch your career. You don’t need to be a music industry expert; just bring curiosity, drive, and a willingness to learn.
Location: NBA League Offices, New York, NY and Secaucus, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; paid internship
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; not disclosed
Dates: Early June – mid-August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: TBA; interviews begin in November, final rounds in January–February
Eligibility: Undergraduate students entering senior year in Fall 2026 and current graduate students
The NBA Summer Internship gives you a front-row seat to the inner workings of a major global league. During this 10-week program, you’ll be placed in a specific department, such as Marketing, Finance, Global Strategy, or Social Responsibility, and work on real-world projects that support the league’s operations. You’ll participate in a range of professional development activities, including networking events, career workshops, and executive speaker sessions featuring leaders like Commissioner Adam Silver. From a two-day onboarding to community-building events like the NBA Cares Service Day or attending the NBA Draft, the experience is structured to help you build practical skills and industry connections. Interns are based in the NBA’s New York and New Jersey offices and are expected to work a full 40-hour week.
Location: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; unpaid
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Limited placements; size not disclosed
Dates: 8 weeks, typically June – August
Application Deadline: February 1–15 (summer)
Eligibility: Current college students who are U.S. citizens and can pass a federal background check; must include GPA on resume
This internship offers you a front-row seat to the federal justice system. Through an 8-week in-person summer placement, you'll work in one of several divisions, ranging from Criminal and Civil to IT, Human Resources, and Electronic Evidence, supporting federal attorneys and staff in real cases and agency operations. Depending on your assignment, you may transcribe legal documents, help manage digital evidence, assist with tech troubleshooting, or coordinate with the Victim Witness Unit. You’ll also attend educational “brown-bag lunches” where staff walk you through the office’s work, from prosecutions to policy. This is an unpaid internship, but the experience is structured and intensive, offering a valuable introduction to careers in public service and law.
Location: Hybrid or remote; New York, NY, or Washington, DC offices
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; $18/hour
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly competitive; not disclosed
Dates: 10–12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: October 13
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students, or recent graduates within one semester. Must have completed at least four semesters of college and be authorized to work in the U.S.
This internship places you at the heart of U.S. foreign policy conversations. CFR offers one of the top paid internship experiences in the international affairs space, giving students and recent grads the opportunity to engage with global policy experts and help produce research, publications, events, and analysis. You’ll be placed in one of over 30 departments, from Digital Content to Climate & Energy or Middle East Studies, and attend professional development workshops tailored to careers in global affairs. Interns work on real-world research, editing, data analysis, and policy prep under CFR’s Blavatnik or Robina Franklin Williams Internship Programs. Past interns have interacted with world leaders and attended behind-the-scenes events hosted by Foreign Affairs, CFR’s prestigious magazine.
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.
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