15 Science Research Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 8 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re an undergraduate who wants to gain research experience, science research internships are a great way to move beyond textbooks and into scientific application. These programs typically place you in labs, companies, and field projects where you can apply classroom concepts. You’ll gain exposure to advanced tools, strengthen your professional skills, and connect with mentors and peers who share your interests. Many of these opportunities are also low-cost or paid, making them accessible.
In this list, we’ve highlighted 15 science research internships for undergraduates. Whether you’re aiming for lab experience or seeking flexible online internships, these opportunities combine learning, mentorship, and career development.
If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
15 Science Research Internships for Undergraduates
Location: NASA Centers across the U.S. (e.g., Johnson Space Center, TX, Kennedy Space Center, FL, Jet Propulsion Lab, CA, etc.)
Cost: None; stipend is provided
Dates: Spring/Fall: 16 weeks | Summer: 10 weeks
Application Deadline: February 27 (Summer) | May 22 (Fall)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are full-time students aged 16+ years with a GPA of 3.0+
NASA OSTEM Internships offer paid opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in projects related to science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. Participants collaborate with NASA engineers, researchers, and analysts on tasks including data modeling, lab testing, programming, and mission planning. These internships are available at various NASA centers and can be full-time or part-time. Interns work closely with mentors and develop expertise in areas like aerospace engineering, software development, data science, and planetary research.
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: DOE National Laboratories across the U.S.
Stipend: $650 stipend per week; travel and housing support provided
Dates: 10-week summer internship (May–August) | Semester-long experience (August–December or January–May)
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort. October 1 for the spring cohort.
Eligibility: Undergraduate or recently graduated students. Check the full eligibility criteria here.
Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) are paid research opportunities for undergraduate students at U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories. You’ll work with scientists and engineers on projects in clean energy, environmental science, computational modeling, materials research, and more. You’ll be matched with a mentor and gain hands-on experience using advanced lab tools and facilities. Interns attend seminars, present research, and build technical and analytical skills. Research may contribute to publications or scientific presentations.
Location: Multiple laboratories (primarily in Gaithersburg, MD, and Boulder, CO)
Stipend: $710 stipend per week; relocation support provided ($4,500 for housing and travel up to $500)
Dates: Various sessions. Check more details here
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Undergraduate students; U.S. Citizens
NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is an 11-week paid internship where you’ll conduct research at one of six National Institute of Standards and Technology labs. Projects focus on measurement science, imaging technologies, pharmaceuticals, materials science, cybersecurity, and more. You’ll work with NIST scientists on a defined research project, receive mentorship, and participate in seminars and professional development. Labs include the Engineering Lab, Material Measurement Lab, Physical Measurement Lab, and others.
Location: Shoals Marine Laboratory, Appledore Island, ME
Stipend: $2,100 stipend
Dates: May 30 - August 11
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
Shoals Marine Laboratory SURG Program is a residential summer research internship for undergraduate students held on Appledore Island, Maine. You will collaborate with faculty mentors and SML scientists on independent or long-term projects spanning genetics, marine biology, ecology, environmental science, and sustainable engineering. Your residence and workspace will be at a 95-acre island field station, which is managed jointly by Cornell University and the University of New Hampshire. The island includes labs with microscopes, flow-through seawater systems, and a “green grid” powered by solar and wind energy. You’ll use boats and field equipment to collect data and contribute to ongoing monitoring studies.
Location: NIH campuses in Bethesda, MD, and other locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Varies by the year the undergraduate student is in; check here
Dates: June – August, with exact dates varying by institute
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students who are 17 years or older and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
NIH’s Summer Internship Program offers the chance to do full-time research at one of the world’s leading biomedical research institutions. As an NIH summer intern, you’ll be placed in a lab at NIH and work on a research project that matches your interests in areas such as molecular biology, neuroscience, genetics, chemistry, or social sciences. You’ll gain hands-on lab experience under the guidance of NIH scientists, using state-of-the-art equipment to run experiments and analyze data. Interns also attend lectures from leading researchers, participate in career and professional development workshops, and may have opportunities to present their work at poster sessions.
Location: Naval Research Laboratories and warfare centers (Over 40 Navy labs across the U.S., including DC, CA, FL, etc.)
Stipend: $7,500 stipend for new undergraduates (10 weeks); $9,000 stipend for returning undergrad interns (travel/housing allowances may be provided by some labs)
Dates: 10 weeks typically from June to August (stay updated for exact dates)
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; Rising sophomores up to graduating seniors (and grad students); Technical majors relevant to Navy research (engineering, physics, math, computer science, etc.); Minimum age 18
NREIP offers talented STEM students the chance to conduct research with the Department of Navy’s top scientists and engineers. Interns are placed at Navy laboratories or centers, such as the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in DC or Naval warfare centers across the country, working on projects that support naval innovation. You’ll be matched with a mentor and team to tackle research in areas such as ocean engineering, AI, materials science, cybersecurity, or marine biology – wherever the Navy conducts R&D. The program integrates interns into real Navy research projects, so you’ll gain hands-on experience with advanced instrumentation and methodologies. In addition to lab work, NREIP provides mentorship, networking events with professionals, facility tours, and intern poster presentations at the end of the summer.
Location: Space Telescope Science Institute, Johns Hopkins campus, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $880 stipend per week (Travel and housing provided)
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Primarily for rising seniors (juniors entering senior year) with a strong interest in astronomy or aerospace engineering. U.S. and international students are eligible (non-U.S. interns receive visa support)
The Space Astronomy Summer Program (SASP) brings a select group of undergraduates to the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), home of the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescope science operations, for an intensive astronomy research experience. Each SASP intern is paired with an STScI researcher or engineer to work on a project ranging from analyzing galactic images or exoplanet data to software development for telescope operations to outreach programs for the public. Interns become part of the STScI community, attending science talks and weekly lectures by world-class astronomers, engaging in social events, and learning about career paths in astrophysics. By summer’s end, students deliver a presentation at the SASP Symposium, sharing their findings with peers and institute staff.
Location: Space Telescope Science Institute, Johns Hopkins campus, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $700 per week stipend ($700 travel allowance and free housing provided)
Dates: End of May to mid-June (10 – 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Undergraduates who will have completed junior year (or the third year of a 5-year program) by the summer; Open to U.S. and international students
WHOI’s Summer Student Fellowship is a premier program for students interested in oceanography, marine biology, or ocean engineering. As a fellow, you’ll design and conduct a research project under the guidance of a WHOI scientist, learning about ocean science. You will attend weekly seminars by leading oceanographers and often join a one-day research cruise aboard WHOI’s coastal research vessel, where you get hands-on experience with ocean sampling techniques and instruments. You will regularly engage with fellow students and WHOI’s graduate students through Q&As, ethics workshops, and a near-peer mentoring program. By the end of summer, each fellow will have written a research paper and presented at a symposium, enhancing their scientific understanding and communication abilities.
Location: 14 host universities across the US, including Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Caltech
Stipend: Available, amount varies by university
Dates: Varies by university
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduates entering junior or senior year in fall, non graduating, minimum 3.2 GPA. US citizens or permanent residents with strong interest in pursuing a PhD or MD
Amgen Scholars is a prestigious summer research program that places students at top universities to undertake research in biotechnology, life sciences, chemistry, and related fields. As an Amgen Scholar, you will join a lab at your host university and engage in experiments, analyze data, and take part in lab meetings as you explore a project at the forefront of biomedical science. From gene editing and cancer immunotherapy to bioengineering and neuroscience, the research areas are broad and exciting. Throughout the summer, host institutions also provide extensive programming, such as career panels, GRE prep, lab skills workshops, and social outings (and some host schools pair Amgen Scholars with grad student mentors).
Location: AFRL directorates at 14 bases (e.g., Kirtland AFB in New Mexico for space research, Eglin AFB in Florida, Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio, among others)
Stipend: $615.6 or $861.6 stipend (check here for details)
Dates: 10 to 12 week summer internships, exact dates vary by site or project
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: US citizens only. Undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields. Must be 18 and enrolled at least half time in an accredited institution
As an AFRL Scholar, you'll participate in advanced research that aids the missions of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. This internship places you directly with AFRL scientists and engineers at various research labs nationwide. There are opportunities in aerospace engineering, physics, computer science (AI, cybersecurity), mechanical and electrical engineering, chemistry, and even human performance and biotechnology. You’ll have an assigned supervisor/mentor and likely be part of a cohort of interns at the base. Many sites offer additional activities, such as facility tours (you might see wind tunnels or high-power laser labs), professional development sessions, and a closing poster session or brief-out where interns present their work.
Location: DOE Fossil Energy and Carbon Management research sites; check here for the full list
Stipend: $7,500
Dates: June 1 to August 7
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: US citizens only. At least college sophomore status by fellowship start. Completed freshman year. STEM majors related to energy, including chemical, mechanical, electrical engineering, earth sciences, environmental science, materials science
As an MLEF fellow, you’ll be matched with a mentor at a DOE laboratory or office working on key energy challenges like carbon capture and storage, advanced energy materials, hydrogen fuel development, environmental cleanup, and more. Throughout the summer, fellows participate in cohort activities, including weekly seminars/webinars on energy topics and professional development (resume workshops, speaker series with energy experts, etc.). A unique highlight is the Technical Forum at summer’s end: all MLEF fellows convene (usually in Washington, D.C. or at a national lab) to present their research and network with each other and DOE leaders.
Location: University of Michigan, MI
Stipend: $7,200
Dates: May 27 to August 15
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students working in a lab of an MIP faculty member and enrolled in a degree granting program at the University of Michigan. Full time college students. Completed at least two terms. Minimum 3.0 GPA
The University of Michigan Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) gives you the chance to spend 10 weeks immersed in full-time research at one of the university’s top-ranked science or engineering departments. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor and work on a project in fields such as physics, chemistry, environmental science, or engineering, depending on your interests. Alongside hands-on research, you’ll join weekly seminars, professional development workshops, and social events with other undergrad researchers. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your work at a campus-wide symposium.
Location: Princeton University, NJ
Stipend: Stipend provided
Dates: June 1 to July 31
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: US citizens or permanent residents. Undergraduate students
At the Princeton Center for Complex Materials REU (PCCM-REU), you’ll spend 9 weeks conducting hands-on research in materials science alongside leading Princeton faculty and researchers. Your project might involve nanomaterials, quantum materials, polymers, or other cutting-edge topics in physics, chemistry, or engineering. You’ll gain lab experience, attend weekly seminars, and join group activities with fellow interns from around the country. By the end of the program, you’ll present your findings at a research symposium and receive feedback from experts.
Location: California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, CA
Stipend: $8,110 stipend
Dates: June – August, with exact dates varying by institute
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Caltech undergraduates with a GPA ≥ 2.0, completed three terms, and free from academic/disciplinary sanctions; non-Caltech undergraduates with a GPA ≥ 2.5, completed the second semester/third quarter, and free from academic/disciplinary sanctions
Modelled on a grant-seeking process, Caltech’s SURF program gives undergraduates the chance to design and execute a research project with guidance from experienced mentors. Students collaborate with a Caltech faculty mentor (or a NASA/JPL researcher affiliated with Caltech) to craft a 10-week research plan in any STEM field, from physics and astronomy to biology, chemistry, engineering, or computer science. A unique aspect of SURF is that you must reach out to a mentor and propose a project as part of the application, which teaches you how to formulate research questions. Once accepted, SURF fellows work full-time on their project over the summer, then write a technical paper and give an oral presentation at the SURF Seminar Day at the end of the summer.
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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