15 Social Sciences Summer Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 10 min read
When you study social sciences in college, you spend a lot of time learning from books, lectures, and research papers. But the actual value of these fields often comes when you step outside the classroom and see how people, systems, and institutions work. That’s where internships come in.
A social sciences internship can give you a closer look at how theories connect to the real world. You might work with policy organizations, research centers, or nonprofits. In these spaces, you get to study communities, analyze data, or even help shape projects that deal with education, health, governance, or inequality. It’s a chance to test the skills you’ve been building in class while also figuring out what kind of career paths interest you most.
For undergraduates, internships also add weight to your resume. Employers and graduate schools look for students who have more than just academic knowledge, and practical experience can make you stand out. Plus, it helps you meet people in your field, which often leads to opportunities later on.
With that in mind, here are 15 social sciences summer internships for undergraduates. If you’re looking for more specialized options for prestigious internships can check out this set of blogs!
15 Social Sciences Summer Internships for Undergraduates
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Location:Â Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline:Â Deadlines vary depending on the cohortÂ
Program dates:Â Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a highly selective virtual program where students work on real-world projects for startups in fields like health tech, biotechnology, AI, and sustainability. You’ll be paired with a company coach who provides structured feedback and professional guidance every week. You’ll gain experience in research and communication, wrap up the program with a final presentation, and walk away with a strong addition to your resume. Placements are aligned with each student’s interests, and financial assistance is available. Alumni have gone on to attend universities such as Stanford, Princeton, and UC Berkeley.
Location: Pew Research Center, Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Paid at a rate of $18.50/hour; relocation funding available for students living outside of the Washington, DC area
Dates: 12 weeks, typically June through August, with interns working 30 hours/week
Application Deadline: Applications open in January and interviews begin in February; students should apply promptly once relevant opportunities are posted
Eligibility: Open to all undergraduate students
Pew Research Center Summer Internships give you the chance to spend three months working on real research projects in fields like policy, education, politics, demography, and economics. You’ll be matched with a team based on your interests and skills, and you’ll help write survey questions, analyze political data, draft articles, or support population research. You’ll also join networking events and career workshops focused on public opinion research, data science, economics, and nonprofit management.
3. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution Research Experiences Internship (NHRE)Â
Location: National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: $8,000 stipend plus $800 travel support and fully-funded housing
Dates: 10 weeks over the summer, in late May to early August
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Undergraduate students, including rising undergraduate freshmen
The Smithsonian National Museum Summer Internships let you do your research in anthropology, earth science, or biology. If you’re studying anthropology, you’ll work with Smithsonian researchers to create a project using museum archives and collections. You’ll also get special tours, learn research methods, and attend talks from museum experts. You’ll spend most of your time researching, but the Smithsonian also gives you $1,500 to attend a conference and keep building your skills after the internship. You can check out a list of past intern projects here.
Location: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Interns receive a $4,800 stipend, free housing, and full coverage of travel and living expenses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 8 students
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current undergraduates with a minimum GPA of 3.0 | Interns are typically from underrepresented groupsÂ
The University of Pittsburgh Social Science Summer Internship brings together eight undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds for an 8-week research experience in sociology, anthropology, politics, and cultural studies. You’ll work closely with faculty mentors on a project focused on political economy and mobilization, and present your findings at the Summer Research Symposium. You’ll also get training in quantitative research, grad school applications, and advanced research methods to help you prepare for PhD programs and academic careers.
Location: Boston College, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: $6,000 stipend
Dates: June 3 - August 9
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions, usually beginning in late winter or early spring
Eligibility: Rising sophomore, junior, and senior undergraduate students, particularly from underrepresented and/or minority groupsÂ
BC Cooperation Lab Summer Internship is a 10-week research program for students interested in psychology, education, and social development. You’ll work on a project about how children cooperate across different cultures, guided by a mentor from the lab. Your tasks might include running studies, analyzing data, and using coding to interpret results. You’ll also join weekly lab meetings and educational events to connect with other researchers. To help you plan for grad school, the internship includes professional development sessions and panels on applying to psychology PhD programs.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $5,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive; only 2-6 students selected
Dates: Early June - Mid-August
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
Harvard’s Laboratory for Social Cognitive Science Summer Internship gives you the chance to explore psychology through philosophy and social analysis. You’ll work closely with one or two senior researchers on topics like moral reasoning, social learning, and how people make causal judgments. During the internship, you’ll learn research methods from cognitive science and computational psychology, and see how philosophical ideas apply to real psychological studies. You’ll also join professional development events, social gatherings, and networking sessions with Harvard faculty and grad students.
Location: Center of Science and Industry, Columbus, OH
Cost: Stipend of $4,800 (distributed at $600/week)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, cohort of 12 students
Dates: May 19 - July 11
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students, especially those with limited research experience or from underrepresented backgrounds.
The Ohio State University Social Science Summer Internship is a hands-on program for undergraduates studying linguistics, psychology, sociology, or science, technology, and society (STS). You’ll join the Language Pod research lab at the COSI science museum in Columbus, where you’ll work with an OSU mentor on a research project about how language connects to psychology and society. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings to the cohort. You’ll also gain professional experience by helping with museum outreach. That includes giving interactive presentations, designing educational activities, and using tools like video games to teach science to kids.
Location: Various governmental locations in Boston, MA
Cost: Paid; hourly wage basis
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 16 interns
Dates: June 2 - August 15
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students from Boston
The City of Boston Summer Internship Program gives you the chance to work directly with Boston’s government across departments like Green Infrastructure, Civic Organizing, Operations, and Cultural Affairs. If you’re studying sociology, policy, political science, demography, or communication, you’ll be matched with a role based on your interests and skills. You might help with research, assist residents, analyze data, or write civic reports. Alongside your work, you’ll join a four-part professional development series to build networking skills, explore public service careers, and get guidance on your job search.Â
Location: Congressional offices in Washington, DC
Cost: Stipend of $4,776 (Summer) or $5,400 (Fall) plus funded travel, housing, Metro transit in DC, and health insurance.
Dates: May 20 - July 31 (Summer Internship) and August 19 - November 13 (Fall Internship)
Application Deadline: December 1 (Summer Internship) and March 1 (Fall Internship) | Applications for both terms open on August 15
Eligibility: Current undergraduates, including graduating seniors. Applicants must have a demonstrated commitment to supporting the Latino community through service and/or policy.
CHCI Congressional Internship Program places you in a U.S. Congressional office, where you’ll learn how the legislative process works and support Latino communities through policy, research, and education. You’ll draft letters, research legislation, attend hearings, and help coordinate meetings. Each week, you’ll also join sessions focused on leadership, cultural competency, and political advocacy. You’ll take part in community service and attend events like Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations and CHCI Summits.
Location: AAAS Headquarters, Washington, DC
Cost: Pays a stipendÂ
Dates: Varies by internship; typically ~12 weeks during the summer | Academic year internships are also available for students attending college in Washington, DC
Application Deadline: Varies by internship; usually mid-March for summer internships
Eligibility: Current undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates
The American Association for the Advancement of Science Summer Internships welcome students from social science fields to gain hands-on experience at AAAS headquarters in Washington, DC. You’ll work with mentors on projects in areas like human rights, law, technology, and disability, or government relations. Your tasks might include writing research proposals, contributing to publications, or supporting ongoing projects that connect science with policy and society. To help you build your career, AAAS invites interns to conferences, meetings, and cohort-wide events across DC.Â
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: $3,000 stipend plus funding for meals, travel to campus, housing, and activity expenses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; admissions vary by academic department, but 15 students are accepted each year
Dates: June 2 - July 25
Application Deadline: February 10
Eligibility: Current undergraduate sophomores and juniors planning to pursue a PhD in social sciences | Underrepresented groups and minoritized students are encouraged to apply in particular
The University of Maryland College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Summer Research Initiative (SRI) is an 8-week paid internship designed for undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds who want to pursue careers in academic research. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor in one of UMD’s social science departments, like Economics, Psychology, Government & Politics, or Sociology, and conduct original research that you’ll present at the end of the program. Beyond your research, you’ll join workshops on graduate school applications, explore academic career paths, and attend lectures and cohort-wide events that introduce you to research methods across disciplines.
Location: Legal Services Center, Boston, MA
Cost: A stipend of $600; the program assists interns in sourcing additional funding
Dates: May 27 - August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Undergraduate students, recent graduates, and law school students
WilmerHale Legal Services Center (LSC) of Harvard Law School Summer Internships offer hands-on legal experience for undergraduates interested in law and public service. You’ll work alongside Harvard Law students and attorneys to support free legal services for low-income clients in Boston. Most undergraduates join the Housing Law Clinic, with occasional openings in LGBTQ+ Advocacy or Consumer Protection. Over the two-month internship, you’ll help draft legal documents, conduct research, review court records, and correspond with clients.Â
Location: Locations across the US and internationally
Cost: Paid
Dates: 2-3 months in length during the summer
Application Deadline: Priority deadline: June 23 | Final deadline: September 3
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors and seniors, as well as non-MBA master’s studentsÂ
BCG’s summer internships give you hands-on experience in management consulting if you're studying economics, law, public policy, or political science. You’ll work with real clients in areas like Risk Management, Private Equity, Public Sector, or Financial Institutions, based on your skills and interests. You’ll analyze data, research industry trends, build client presentations, and help teams find cost-saving strategies. You’ll also get mentorship, training, and access to networking events. Many interns receive full-time job offers after graduation, so doing well here can set up your career.
Location: Multiple locations in the US and internationally
Stipend: $40/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: 8-10 weeks in June - August | Some 4-month internships are offered in Europe
Application Deadline: Recruiting begins in the prior summer with rolling application review | Applying early is highly encouraged
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate juniors and seniors, as well as graduate and law school students | Specific internships may have internal major or coursework requirements
A&M’s summer internships give you the chance to apply your social science skills in a consulting environment. If you're studying Economics, you can join the Global Transaction Advisory Group to analyze financial data, assess risk, and support due diligence in major transactions. Psychology students with strong data skills can specialize in Talent Acquisition Research, using analytics to improve hiring strategies. Other options include Valuation Services, Consumer & Retail, and Infrastructure & Capital Projects, ideal for students with strong quantitative backgrounds.
Location: D.E. Shaw New York City HQ, New York, NY | Other U.S. and international locations are usually offered
Stipend: Monthly salary of $9,000-$18,000 + overtime pay, $5,000 sign-on bonus, funded travel and housing, $3,300 self-study materials stipend, and $4,000 technology stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive
Dates: 10 weeks in June - August
Application Deadline: Rolling evaluation beginning the prior summer; students should apply by the end of December at the latest
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students; admitted undergraduates are usually rising seniors | Students across majors may apply, but usually admitted students have a background in economics or finance through coursework and/or extracurriculars
D.E. Shaw’s summer internships place you in a hands-on role supporting the firm’s investment strategies and operations. If you're studying economics, political science, or public policy and have strong quantitative skills, you can apply your research background to projects in finance and data analysis. You’ll research companies and markets, analyze stocks and economic trends, and build presentations. You’ll also join small group lunches, coffee chats, mentorship sessions, and social events with current employees. These internships are competitive and often lead to full-time offers.
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 mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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