15 Summer STEM Internships for College Students

If you are looking for summer STEM learning experiences that supplement your college learning, internships can be a great way to spend your summer. STEM internships offer opportunities to gain practical exposure to science and tech workplaces, learn valuable skills, build a professional network, and strengthen your resume. Many STEM internships offer research-focused experiences, allowing you to work in labs and present your findings. During the internship, you will also have access to professional development opportunities such as seminars, research talks, industrial visits, and social activities. 

What do STEM internships for college students entail? What will I do as an intern?

Internship opportunities span various STEM fields, including physics, biological engineering, cancer research, ecology, materials science, geoscience, artificial intelligence, and aeronautics. As an intern, you will work in your chosen STEM field and find opportunities to collaborate on meaningful projects with professionals, including faculty members, scientists, physicists, engineers, and graduate students. 

To help you with your search, we have compiled a list of 15 summer STEM internships for college students.  

1. MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA

Stipend: Weekly stipend + round-trip travel, university housing, and food subsidy

Cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 8 – August 8

Application deadline: January 20

Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors who have completed at least two academic years of college (not enrolled at MIT), have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, and are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, non-U.S. citizens with DACA, or international students with appropriate visa and work authorizations

MSRP is a nine-week summer initiative that extends research opportunities to college students, offering insights into graduate education and guidance for studying at MIT or other institutions. You will spend the summer working on a mentored research project under the guidance of an MIT faculty member, with additional support from a postdoctoral fellow or graduate student. You will also attend weekly research talks, professional development seminars, community engagement activities, and social events. You will leave the program with a self-produced research abstract, a research paper, and a graduate school statement of purpose. You will also present your work at the end-of-program poster symposium.

2. Canary Cancer Research Education Summer Training (CREST) Program by Stanford University

Location: The Canary Center at the Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA

Stipend: $6,000; housing and travel assistance also available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~8.3% acceptance rate, with ~25 students selected in past cohorts

Dates: June 16 – August 22

Application deadline: January 20

Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in two- or four-year colleges or universities who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or currently enrolled Stanford University students

The CREST Program at Stanford University, funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is a 10-week summer STEM internship for college students focused on cancer research. During the program, you will work on a research project in a laboratory under the guidance of an assigned faculty mentor as well as senior scientists and postdoctoral fellows. In addition to learning about various research techniques, you will learn about cancer early detection through classroom lectures. Professional development and career seminars are also a part of the program. At the end of the program, you will present a research poster at a symposium, gaining a chance to practice professional communication and presentation.

3. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; full need-based financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Multiple cohorts each year, including summer internships

Application deadline: Varies based on cohort

Eligibility: College students and gap year students

The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week remote opportunity for college students interested in working with STEM startups. If selected, you will work 5–15 hours/week on a mentored real-world project at a high-growth startup. Throughout the program, you will have access to the guidance of a startup mentor and a Ladder Coach, who will support you as you work on internship deliverables. At the end of the program, you will present your project to your host company. You will also receive a reference letter from the founder or manager of the organization. 

4. Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology

Location: Harvard Forest, Petersham, MA

Stipend: $7,700 + free housing, meal plan, and compensation for travel to/from Harvard Forest available

Cohort size: Not specified

Dates: May 27 – August 8

Application deadline: February 7

Eligibility: Undergraduates who are enrolled in two-year and four-year colleges and universities and are U.S. citizens or resident aliens

The Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology is an 11-week mentored ecological research experience for college students. At the time of application, you can choose from a list of research projects developed by mentors and collaborators for that year. If selected, you will be matched with one of those projects and work on it within a larger research team comprising students and mentors. You will spend the summer working on research focused on addressing environmental problems and attending workshops and seminars designed to equip you with marketable skills such as data analysis and visualisation. You will engage in the research by taking on tasks like data management and analysis, field and lab data collection, and development of methods, proposals, and presentations. The program also provides opportunities to connect with fellow participants, mentors, and seminar speakers.

5. Caltech's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) Program

Location: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA

Stipend: $8,110

Acceptance rate: ~85%

Dates: Starts on June 16 and goes on for 10 weeks

Application deadline: February 22

Eligibility: Continuing undergraduates with at least a 2.0 GPA (Caltech students) or 2.5 (for visiting students) who are eligible for fall registration and are in good academic and disciplinary standing; international students need U.S. work authorization (CPT, OPT, or Academic Training) to qualify.

SURF at Caltech is a 10-week summer STEM internship for college students. As a participant, you will work on a research project under the supervision of a faculty mentor. You will also attend weekly seminars, academic and professional development series, communication workshops, social and cultural activities, student-faculty dinners, and other events to build skills, knowledge, and a professional network. In the concluding week of the program, you will produce two interim reports, an abstract, and the final technical paper. You will also deliver an oral presentation at the SURF Seminar Day.

6. NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at the University of Pennsylvania

Location: Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Stipend: $7,000, housing and travel assistance provided if needed

Cohort size: Up to 20 undergraduates

Dates: May 26 – July 31

Application deadline: February 1

Eligibility: Undergraduates from U.S. colleges and universities majoring in science or engineering who have completed their junior year when the program starts and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; exceptional sophomores and freshmen may also be considered. 

The Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM) at the University of Pennsylvania, with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), offers a summer STEM internship for college students interested in materials research. As a participant, you will spend 10 weeks working on individual material research projects with a faculty member. You can focus on materials research in chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering, and other STEM disciplines. You will also participate in professional development workshops designed to help you build research skills, explore career paths, and increase your networking potential. If chosen as an AI-driven RNA BioFoundry (AIRFoundry) fellow, you will work in the AIRFoundry faculty labs and attend exclusive workshops around AI, RNA, and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) research. 

7. Cornell Geopaths Geoscience Learning Ecosystem (CorGGLE) Summer Internship Program

Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Stipend: $6,300 + round-trip travel stipend for students living outside of Ithaca, housing and meal plan coverage, campus bus pass or parking pass, and optional expenses for field trips covered

Cohort size: 1–2 interns

Dates: Nine weeks in the summer; dates TBA in the fall

Application deadline: TBA in the fall

Eligibility: College students who have completed at least two semesters of college when the program starts, are in good academic standing, are interested in pursuing graduate study, and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents

CorGGLE Summer Internship Program is a nine-week research-focused opportunity for college students interested in geoscience. During the program, you will work on a mentored research project in one of the geoscience areas, such as energy and water resources, environmental science, climate change, natural hazards, and remote sensing and geographical information systems. You will also learn about geoscience careers, develop professional skills, and network during weekly luncheons and social activities. At the end of the program, you will present your research poster during the campus symposium and submit a written report, which can be considered for potential publication. 

8. Summer Undergraduate Program in Engineering Research at Berkeley (SUPERB) Artificial Intelligence for Engineering (AI4E)

Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA

Stipend: Compensation + coverage for housing and meals available, but the exact details are not disclosed.

Cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June – August

Application deadline: January 25

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who have completed some upper division coursework in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS), have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; students from underrepresented groups and students with limited STEM opportunities are encouraged to apply. 

SUPERB AI4E is a summer STEM internship for college students offered by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) at UC Berkeley. As an intern, you will participate in research under the supervision of faculty and graduate students. Additionally, you will attend weekly presentations by researchers, go on lab tours and industrial visits, and receive guidance on graduate school education. You can choose from around 11 research areas, including AI, biosystems and computational biology, and control, intelligent systems, and robotics.  

9. Research Experience for Undergraduates in Computational Sensing and Medical Robotics (CSMR REU) @ Johns Hopkins University

Location: Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD

Stipend: Paid; amount not specified

Cohort size: TBA

Dates: 10 weeks in the summer; dates TBA

Application deadline: TBA; updates will be posted in November

Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have at least completed their freshman year, including at least one semester of engineering coursework, who will not be graduating before the start of the program, and who are U.S. citizens/U.S. permanent residents

CSMR REU, hosted by the Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics (LCSR) at Johns Hopkins University, is a 10-week summer research opportunity for undergrads. As a participant, you will work on a research project within a relevant field of interest, with options available in engineering, medicine, and math. A few examples of past project topics include photoacoustic-guided surgery, sensing tissue properties with ultrasound imaging, and haptic feedback, control, and design for upper-limb prosthetic devices. You will be part of a larger research team and work under the guidance of a faculty member and a graduate student. Apart from refining your research skills, the program will allow you to engage in teamwork, build a professional network, and contribute meaningful innovations.

10. Cooperative Institute for Modeling the Earth System (CIMES) Research Internship Program @ Princeton University

Location: NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

Stipend: $5,600–$6,300 for 40-hour work weeks (can vary depending on the length of the internship); campus housing or housing allowance, travel, and daily commute reimbursement available 

Cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Flexible starting dates and length of internship; the program typically lasts eight or nine weeks during the summer.

Application deadline: January 15

Eligibility: Current undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents or have U.S. work authorization; students from underrepresented groups, first-generation college students, and students with minimal scientific research experience are encouraged to apply. 

CIMES is an eight- to nine-week summer STEM internship for college students interested in atmospheric, oceanic, and Earth system science research. You will work on research projects under the supervision of scientists at Princeton University and NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL). A few project topics to explore include assessing climate risks by modeling heavy rainfall across the U.S. and exploring North Pacific Ocean-atmosphere interactions and their impact on Pacific Northwest hydroclimate. Apart from working on a specific scientific problem through research work, you will attend seminars and social events, network with graduate students, and access computing and library facilities. 

11. NASA's Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships 

Location: Both in-person (NASA centers in the U.S._ and virtual opportunities available

Stipend: Paid (amount varies) and unpaid opportunities available

Cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Varies based on internship; opportunities available in the summer, spring, and fall

Application deadline: February 27 for summer internships

Eligibility: Full-time college students (undergraduate through graduate-level) or part-time college students enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester hours who have a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, are 16 years of age at the time of application, and are U.S. citizens. 

NASA OSTEM internships are designed to help students contribute to the fields of science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. As an intern, you will work with research scientists, engineers, and other professionals at a NASA center or facility, or virtually anywhere. While the exact tasks can vary for each opportunity, you may help NASA staff with research, data collection, analysis, software testing, tech improvements, and other tasks that support NASA missions. The program offers hands-on experience to strengthen research and technical skills and help you prepare for future career opportunities.

12. MindCORE Summer Fellowship Program @ UPenn

Location: University of Pennsylvania, PA

Stipend: Paid monthly; amount not specified

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Eight students selected in the past

Dates: May 31 – August 7

Application Deadline: TBA; applications open in November

Eligibility: First- to third-year full-time undergraduate students enrolled at accredited institutions who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

MindCORE, UPenn’s hub for studying human intelligence, offers a mentored 10-week research opportunity to undergrads interested in exploring cognitive science. Here, you will work on a research project at one of the university labs under the guidance of a mentor. You will attend one week of introductory sessions covering topics within interdisciplinary research in cognitive science and also undergo training in research ethics and technical skills. Additionally, you will participate in lab tours, Informal group check-ins, journal club meetings, research seminars, and professional development opportunities. You will work with your mentor to produce a final poster or presentation and present the project to lab staff, faculty, and peers at the end of the fellowship. 

13. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program

Location: Several locations across the U.S.

Stipend: Paid; amount varies based on education level and AFRL sites. Check details here.

Cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Vary based on the AFRL sites and/or projects; a minimum commitment of eight weeks is required.

Application deadline: January 9

Eligibility: Current undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old (18 for California sites) and are available to work full-time (40 hours/week); upper-level high school students, graduate-level university students pursuing STEM and education-related degrees, and K–12 professional educators can also apply.

The AFRL Scholars Program is a STEM internship designed for students seeking research opportunities in STEM. You can apply for an internship at one or more locations and choose up to three research topics at each location. Some of the research topics for undergraduates include the development of next-generation liquid propellants, launch vehicle systems design, and MUOS-MSTIC (MUOS System of Systems Technical Integration Center) data correlation with AI. If selected, you will work on assigned STEM research projects alongside AFRL scientists and engineers. Through the program, you will gain exposure to professional research work, learn about ongoing research, work with advanced technology, and connect with scientists. 

14. Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI) Summer Undergraduate Research Program @ University of Delaware

Location: University of Delaware, Newark, DE

Stipend: $6,000

Cohort size: Not specified

Dates: 10-week summer experience; specific dates not specified

Application deadline: February 15

Eligibility: Undergraduate students

The CPI Summer Undergraduate Research Program allows college students to explore and contribute to research in polymers, catalysis, enzyme engineering, and data science. As a participant, you will work on research projects under the mentorship of faculty members, postdocs, and graduate students, and present your work at the research symposium. Additionally, you will participate in research seminars and weekly professional development workshops, designed to help you learn about literature review methods, improve your presentation skills, and access further opportunities for growth. The program also offers access to industrial visits to sites such as Under Armour, ExxonMobil, NIST, and DOW, which can provide you with exposure to real-world work environments. You will also be able to receive guidance on STEM careers.

15. MSU Solar Astronomy & Space Physics REU Program

Location: Montana State University (MSU), Bozeman, MT

Stipend: $6,000 + $800 food allowance + domestic travel reimbursement + dormitory housing provided

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: May 27 – August 1

Application deadline: February 17

Eligibility: Full-time undergraduates, typically finishing their sophomore or junior years, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; students from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

The MSU Solar Astronomy & Space Physics REU Program is a 10-week research experience for undergraduates. As a participant, you will undergo training to gain exposure to computing environments and programming languages. Then, you will conduct research, primarily analysing data from current and past space missions and ground-based observatories. You may also work on projects focusing on solar magneto-hydrodynamics, space hardware development, and astrophysical topics such as gravitational waves and black holes. The program offers opportunities to build practical research skills under the guidance of physicists, attend lectures by MSU faculty on various program-related subjects, and learn public speaking and communication skills. In the final week of the program, you will present your research.

One other option—Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you want to pursue independent research under the guidance of a mentor, consider applying to Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective programs founded in partnership with Harvard and Oxford researchers. In the past, 4,000+ students applied for just 500 spots in the research program. You can learn about the application and available programs on the application form here.

Also, you can check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation—a non-profit research program for talented low-income students. Last year, it offered 150 students full need-based financial assistance.

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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