15 Remote Research Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 10 min read
If you are an undergraduate student, one of the most suitable ways to get early experience in research is through a remote research internship.Â
What are research internships for undergraduates? Why should I apply?
Research internships allow you to take part in actual projects while still staying at home. You might work with data, review studies, or help with ongoing projects in subjects like science, engineering, or economics. You also get to finish with something concrete, like a report, presentation, or paper that shows the work you have done.
You do not have to spend money on travel or housing, and you are not limited by where you live. That makes them both affordable and easy to manage alongside your regular classes. Doing one of these can give you a stronger academic portfolio and add value to your college applications. It is a simple way to build experience early and give yourself an edge when applying for graduate programs or future opportunities.
To help you find the right fit, we have made a list of 15 remote research internships for undergraduates!
15 Remote Research Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Virtual (fully remote, work from home, U.S. residents only)
Cost/Stipend: Equity compensation in a startup company
Application Deadline: Rolling. July 29 is the cut-off for Fall
Dates: 15 weeks, January 20 – May 15 (12 hours per week)
Eligibility: You must be pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in any area of biology and/or journalism with relevant subject matter expertise/experience
Berkeley Pharmatech's Remote Medical Research Internship is a 15-week part-time internship for undergraduate students who want to learn about biotechnology research. You’ll join a small team of students from across the country and work on research projects that connect directly to real biotech products. The program includes flexible scheduling, training, and the option to earn college credit. Instead of a stipend, you receive equity in the startup. You’ll also get experience in areas like project management and genetics, while working with industry experts. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a letter of recommendation.
Location: Virtual (fully remote, no residency requirement)
Cost/Stipend: Paid $5,000 for summer participation
Application Deadline: Email application materials to icantu@tamu.edu
Dates: 40 hours/week during summer (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens and permanent residents pursuing bachelor's degrees; priority given to sophomores and juniors in the south-central U.S. states
This program is run by Texas A&M in partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory. It is fully remote and focuses on materials science and engineering research. As a student, you’ll work with faculty mentors on projects in computational and data science. The program includes online training sessions, professional development webinars, and programming workshops from the Texas A&M High Performance Research Computing Center. You’ll also get guidance on graduate school applications and fellowships. While the work is done online, the program provides travel support for one site visit.
Location:Â Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline:Â Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).Â
Program dates:Â 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 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 is of genuine need to 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: Virtual (remote participation available)
Cost/Stipend: Paid stipend commensurate with doctoral students (amount varies by project)
Application Deadline: December 15 for summer opportunities (rolling review)
Dates: Variable duration based on project needs
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in computer science or related fields; international students eligible for virtual positions
Yale's Computer Science Research Internship Program offers virtual research opportunities that have been successfully implemented since the COVID-19 pandemic. You'll work with leading researchers on cutting-edge projects in areas like AI, machine learning, and software development. The program matches applicants with faculty members based on research interests, and many projects can be conducted entirely remotely. You'll contribute to active research, attend virtual seminars, and have the opportunity to co-author publications. The program welcomes both domestic and international students for remote positions.
Location: VirtualÂ
Cost/Stipend: Paid NSF REU stipend (amount varies)
Application Deadline: February applications (check program website for specific dates)
Dates: 8 weeks, June 9 – August 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in STEM fields; U.S. citizens and permanent residents
UMBC's fully online REU program provides summer research experiences in big data analytics applied to science and engineering. You'll utilize modern data science and high-performance computing techniques to analyze big data in disciplines like atmospheric science, mechanical engineering, and medicine. The program is mentored by professors in mathematics and information systems, offering hands-on experience with cutting-edge computational tools. All activities are conducted virtually, including research work, seminars, and final presentations.
Location: VirtualÂ
Cost/Stipend: Varies by project and lab; many positions are paid
Application Deadline: Rolling applications; contact individual labs directly
Dates: Flexible duration based on project needs
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in relevant scientific fields
Harvard offers multiple remote undergraduate research opportunities across various departments, including medical school affiliates like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital. Current remote projects include artificial intelligence applications in thoracic surgery, biomolecular engineering research, and genome-scale modeling with large language models. You'll work directly with Harvard faculty and research teams on cutting-edge projects, gaining experience in computational biology, AI/ML applications, and biomedical research. Projects range from data analysis and literature reviews to software development and scientific writing, with opportunities to contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
Location: Virtual and Hybrid options available
Cost: Most programs are paid; stipends vary ($4,000–$5,000 for 8–10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Main deadline March 31 (tentative, varies by sub-program and based on previous year)
Dates: Most programs June 23 – August 16 or June 23 – August 29 (tentative, varies by sub-program and based on previous years)
Eligibility: Upper division undergraduates; some programs have special requirements (e.g., diversity-focused, neuroscience, biosciences, public health)
UCLA’s SPUR (Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research) offers multiple research-focused internships that pair you with faculty mentors for full-time summer research. Most programs run for 8 to 10 weeks, starting in late June. You’ll work on independent or collaborative projects in fields like biosciences, genomics, neuroscience, public health, and more. Some tracks offer remote or hybrid formats. You’re expected to produce a final research paper or poster and present your findings. Most programs include seminars on writing, research methods, graduate school preparation, and funding opportunities.
Location: Virtual and select hybrid projects
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($600–$750/week, varies)
Application Deadline: October 1 for the upcoming spring term
Dates: 10 weeks, multiple cohorts (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: US citizens or LPRs; undergraduates in STEM majors; 3.0 GPA minimum
SULI (Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships) places you at one of 17 U.S. Department of Energy national labs for a paid research internship. You’ll work full-time for 10 weeks in summer or 16 weeks during fall or spring, guided by a research scientist in fields like physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, computer science, or environmental science. Most internships are in-person, but remote projects have been available since 2020 and continue to be offered based on lab and project needs. You’ll contribute to active research, attend seminars, and complete deliverables like a research report, abstract, and poster presentation.
Location: Virtual and in-person; many labs offer remote research options
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($7,810 for 11 weeks last year)
Application Deadline: Typically late January/early February (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: 11 weeks, May–August (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: US citizens and LPRs, undergrads in STEM fields, minimum GPA varies
NIST’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is an 11-week, full-time research program. You will work directly with NIST scientists on projects in chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, materials science, and more. You can be placed at one of three NIST campuses: Gaithersburg, Maryland; Boulder, Colorado; or Charleston, South Carolina. Most placements are in-person, but remote projects have been offered in recent years, depending on lab and mentor availability. You’ll join a research team, attend weekly seminars, and present your work in a final poster session.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Typically unpaid
Application Deadline: Rolling (check website for current cycle)
Dates: Flexible by semester (Summer, Fall, Spring sessions)
Eligibility: Undergraduates with an interest in foreign policy, research, and communications
With the FPRI (Foreign Policy Research Institute) Remote Internship, you can work from home on projects in research, editorial, communications, development, or event planning. You’ll be paired with a scholar or staff member and handle assignments during the semester. You’ll also take part in weekly foreign policy and career seminars, join FPRI’s virtual and hybrid events, and if you’re in a research or editorial role, you may even write a paper that could be published on FPRI’s Intern Corner. The internship is offered in spring (February to May), summer (June to August), and fall (October to December).
Location: Virtual (fully remote)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; no cost to apply or participate
Application Deadline: Rolling — applications are accepted year-round for quarter-time internships; half-time internships are mainly offered in the summer
Dates: Half-time: 2–8 weeks (summer); Quarter-time: 1–9 months, flexible start and end dates (all year round)
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate college students (GPA above 3.0 preferred); application, interview, and writing sample required
EnergyMag’s Virtual Research Internship lets you work remotely on independent research projects focused on renewable energy and energy storage. If you're a high school or college student, you can apply to analyze a company, technology, or market segment and produce a professional report under the guidance of a mentor. You’ll learn how to gather and synthesize information, conduct in-depth analysis, and write a publishable report. Interns communicate regularly with mentors through video calls, emails, or messages. You’ll receive a Letter of Accomplishment after successful completion, and your report may be published on EnergyMag’s website.
Location: Virtual and hybrid available
Cost/Stipend: Most are unpaid; select fellowships are available
Application Deadline:Â February 1 (tentative)
Dates: 8 weeks; typically June – July (tentative)
Eligibility: Undergraduate and advanced high school students, all STEM fields
Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University offers an 8-week, full-time remote research experience for high school and undergraduate students. You’ll work independently on a STEM project under the guidance of a faculty researcher and graduate mentor, with focus areas ranging from molecular biology and neuroscience to computer science, environmental science, and bioengineering. Remote interns submit daily progress logs, attend virtual workshops on scientific writing and career development, and present their findings at an online poster symposium.
Location: Remote participation available, subject to approval by mentors/program (hybrid/in-person typical, but remote options considered)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $600/week stipend for 40 hours per week
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students at accredited US institutions, with at least one year completed; 18+ years old
US CMS Undergraduate Research Internship places you with mentors working in U.S.-based CMS experiment research groups affiliated with the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. You’ll spend 10 weeks contributing to projects in physics, computing, data science, and instrumentation. You’ll use computational tools and data-analysis methods to study particle physics data, guided by university faculty, national lab scientists, postdocs, or advanced graduate students. Your final deliverables include a research report and a virtual presentation. The program is open to full-time undergraduates in physics, engineering, computer science, math, chemistry, or related majors.Â
Location: Remote and in-person (applicants can specify virtual modality)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; full stipend (amount varies)
Application Deadline: October 6
Dates: 12 weeks, May – AugustÂ
Eligibility: Rising juniors/seniors in computing, engineering, or related majors with programming or social science research background; US undergraduates
Microsoft Research Undergraduate Research Internship is a 12-week paid summer program for advanced undergraduates majoring in computer science, engineering, or related fields. You’ll join a research team at one of Microsoft’s U.S.-based labs, Redmond, New York City, or New England, and work on projects in areas like AI, data science, health, hardware, or human-computer interaction. You will work with researchers, postdocs, engineers, and designers, often using remote platforms for meetings and project work.
Location: Virtual (fully remote, U.S. citizens and permanent residents)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; Varies by institute and education level ($3,600–$4,000)
Application Deadline: February 1 (annual cycle)
Dates: 8 weeks, typically late May – mid-July
Eligibility: Undergraduates enrolled full-time in a bachelor’s program; must have completed at least one year of study; GPA ≥3.0; U.S. citizens or LPRs
The NIH Virtual Summer Internship Program lets you work with mentors from across NIH’s 27 institutes and centers. You take part in biomedical research projects in areas like molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and clinical science. Each week, you join online seminars on topics such as grant writing, research ethics, and career options. At the end, you submit an abstract and present your work in a virtual poster session.Â
Location: Virtual (fully remote globally, including the US)
Cost/Stipend: Program fee required; unpaid, with scholarships available for eligible students
Application Deadline: Rolling, multiple intakes per year
Dates: Flexible, varies by placement; typically 6–24 weeks
Eligibility: Undergrad college students in any major (placements in STEM, environmental science, sustainability, public policy, etc.)
The Intern Group places undergraduates with globally recognized organizations, nonprofits, and startups to conduct remote research and project work in environmental science, sustainability, and related fields. Tasks may include literature reviews, data analysis, proposal drafting, case study research, and contributing to white papers or grant applications. Interns are provided with professional mentorship, remote networking, and training in research communication and project management.
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 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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