15 Science Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 7 hours ago
- 8 min read
For college students majoring in STEM fields, science internships are a powerful way to apply classroom learning in research or industry settings. These programs help you build technical skills, explore different scientific disciplines, and gain exposure to how labs, institutions, and companies operate day-to-day. Whether you're focused on biology, chemistry, physics, or environmental science, an internship can deepen your understanding of the field and prepare you for graduate study or a future career in science.
Many of the most impactful internships also offer mentorship, access to advanced tools or labs, and opportunities to collaborate on projects. They’re also a chance to grow your network and demonstrate your initiative, which is something that stands out to future employers and grad school committees. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 science internships for undergraduates. If you're looking for more prestigious internships, you could also check out our other blogs here!
15 Science Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: 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: Bethesda, MD, and other NIH facilities across the U.S.
Stipend: Starting at $3,010 (for undergraduates); amount varies by educational level (check details here)
Dates: Minimum of 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 18
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, graduate, or professional students enrolled at least half-time, ages 18 and up, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides a top-tier science internship for undergraduates interested in biomedical research. Interns collaborate with leading scientists in laboratories and research teams, acquiring practical experience in fields such as cancer research and genetics. The program features a curriculum that includes professional development workshops and career opportunities counseling. Participants can choose their research group based on their interests and present their research at the end of the summer.
Location: Various host institutions across the country, including CalTech, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and more
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; stipend, housing, and travel are included.
Dates: Varies by institution, but generally it is 8-10 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors with a 3.2+ GPA
The Amgen Scholars Program enables undergraduates to conduct cutting-edge research at world-class institutions. Students participate in independent research projects under the guidance of top faculty mentors and attend regional symposiums to network with peers and industry scientists. This program is designed to prepare students for graduate study and careers in science and biotechnology. It is a highly exclusive program, with each participating institute accepting only 10 scholars annually, for a total of 140 scholars. The rigor and exclusivity make this one of the premier science internships for undergraduates on this list.
Location: At one of 17 participating DOE laboratories across the country
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend and travel allowance provided
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer, with exact dates varying by institution
Application Deadline: January 7
Eligibility: Current undergraduates who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a 3.0+ GPA
The SULI program offers paid internships at 17 DOE National Laboratories, where students work on research projects guided by laboratory scientists or engineers to support the DOE mission. This program provides a comprehensive introduction to the professional scientific community and includes opportunities to publish research papers. Interns gain practical experience with the latest technologies and state-of-the-art equipment, offering valuable real-world exposure to advanced energy research. It is a strong option for students interested in science internships related to physical sciences and energy.
Location: Cambridge, MA
Stipend: $5,400 stipend and free housing
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 11
Eligibility: Current undergraduates who are physical, biological, or computer sciences, engineering, or mathematics majors with a minimum 3.2 GPA
The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard offers a nine-week intensive research program for undergraduates interested in biomedical research and genomics. Students are matched with a laboratory and work on original computational or experimental-based research projects while attending scientific seminars and workshops. Research topics can include everything from cancer to infectious diseases to computational biology. The internship also consists of an intensive scientific communication course and seminars with Harvard and MIT scientists, providing extensive exposure to both theory and practical research.
Location: Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Stipend: $7,000 stipend and room and board provided
Dates: June 8 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors with a strong background in science
CSHL offers a highly competitive program where students learn the scientific process, technical methods, and theoretical principles of biological research. It is a highly exclusive program that invites 20 students annually to conduct original research in areas like molecular biology, genetics & genomics, neuroscience, and plant biology. The program includes workshops on bioinformatics and scientific communication. It concludes with a symposium where students present their findings to the CSHL community.
Location: Rochester, MN | Jacksonville, FL | Scottsdale, AZ
Stipend: $6,000
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a 3.0+ GPA
The Mayo Clinic SURF program provides a world-class research experience in biomedical sciences. Fellows work in the laboratories of Mayo Clinic investigators on broad research questions, gaining exposure to the latest techniques and methodologies. The program offers weekly seminars and professional development activities to support students' future careers. It is one of the top science internships for undergraduates aiming for medical or PhD programs.
Location: Woods Hole, MA
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded (Stipend and housing provided)
Dates: Mid-June – late August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Students who have completed their junior year
WHOI offers fellowships to undergraduates interested in ocean sciences and engineering. Fellows pursue an independent research project under the guidance of a member of the Scientific or Technical Staff. The program is designed to give a comprehensive view of oceanography through lecture series and direct research application. Participants have access to state-of-the-art marine facilities and research vessels. There are numerous seminars and mentoring sessions to attend, as well as a one-day ocean sampling cruise focused on data collection and sampling methods using advanced oceanographic technology and instruments.
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Cost/Stipend: No cost; interns receive a subsistence allowance, health insurance, travel expenses to Geneva, and assistance with accommodation
Dates: 8 to 13 weeks between June and September
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Current undergraduates pursuing Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, or Mathematics who have completed at least 6 semesters of full-time university studies
The CERN Summer Student Programme places students at the world's largest particle physics laboratory. While this is not a U.S.-based internship, its prestige and travel allowance for selected interns make it an addition to this list. Participants join multicultural teams to work on varied experiments and engineering projects while attending a comprehensive lecture series given by experts in the field. Research opportunities exist in areas like Applied Physics, Civil Engineering, Data Science, Electrical or Electronics Engineering, and Experimental Physics. The program offers visits to CERN facilities and opportunities for discussion sessions and workshops. This is the premier international science internship for undergraduates worldwide.
Location: Various partner labs in the U.S., Canada, and Europe
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; stipend is provided
Dates: Academic year or Summer options available
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Current undergraduates
The SURFiN program aims to spark interest in neuroscience among undergraduate students by providing paid research assistantships. Fellows are matched with laboratories supported by the Simons Foundation and are mentored by graduate students or postdoctoral researchers. The program offers career development opportunities like coding boot camps and scientific symposiums.
Location: Moss Landing, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; interns are paid $22/hour
Dates: June 8 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students
MBARI offers summer internships that focus on marine science, engineering, and science communication. Interns are paired with mentors to work on specific projects ranging from designing new oceanographic instruments to analyzing deep-sea data. The program also fosters a sense of community through group activities and peer mentorship. It is a standout option for those seeking a specialized science internship in marine technology.
Location: La Jolla, CA, or Jupiter, FL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; interns are provided a stipend and housing
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Continuing undergraduates with a 3.0+ GPA
The Scripps Research SURF program offers students an exclusive opportunity to conduct laboratory research at one of the world's largest private biomedical research organizations. Only 12-16 interns are selected annually out of over 700 applicants. Interns work in laboratories focusing on immunology, molecular biology, chemistry, and neuroscience. The program also offers workshops and seminars to help students better prepare for graduate and medical school. Students conclude the program by presenting their work at a Summer Student Symposium.
Location: Various HHMI laboratories across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend, housing, and travel coverage provided
Dates: June 15 – August 14
Application Deadline: December 22
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors enrolled in a U.S. institution
The HHMI Cech Fellows Program offers a competitive summer research experience, placing students in HHMI laboratories across the United States. Fellows conduct full-time research on projects spanning neuroscience and molecular biology, working alongside leading scientists in the field. The program incorporates professional development workshops and scientific seminars to enhance the training experience. Students conclude their summer by presenting their work at a research symposium, connecting with peers and senior scientists.
Location: New York, NY
Stipend: $6,500 stipend and free housing
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors
Rockefeller University's SURF program provides a unique opportunity for students to engage in laboratory research at a graduate-only institution. Fellows are matched with labs according to their scientific interests and work on individualized projects across fields like biochemistry, structural biology, immunology, virology, and neuroscience. The program includes a lecture series by faculty members and a poster session at the end of the summer. It provides excellent insight into the life of a professional scientist.
Location: Pasadena, CA
Stipend: $8,110
Dates: 9 weeks starting June 16
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Continuing undergraduates with a 2.5+ GPA
Caltech's SURF program introduces students to the creative intellectual process of research under the guidance of experienced mentors at Caltech and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Students develop research proposals, work with mentors, and complete their projects over 10 weeks. The program simulates the grant application process and focuses on both oral and written scientific communication. This demanding academic setting is a strong foundation for students aiming for a research career.
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 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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