There are many wonderful research opportunities in the STEM fields. These opportunities help launch you toward your career trajectory by developing your research skills, strengthening your candidacy for graduate school and awards like the Goldwater, Fulbright, and Marshall, and preparing you for your future career. Each of the following programs funds many internships—and some fund hundreds.
The Office of Engaged Learning team is here to provide you with comprehensive support on your applications, particularly providing essay feedback and brainstorming who to ask for recommendations. After looking at the programs offered below, please fill out this form to express interest in applying and a member of our team will reach out to devise a plan for your application. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to work on your applications.
Amgen Scholars is a summer research program where students conduct research at fourteen of the leading universities in the US like Harvard, Duke, Columbia, Yale, and Caltech. Areas of potential focus include any disciplines related to the discovery, development, manufacture and delivery of human therapeutics, as well as the overall biomedical and biotechnology enterprise. Applicants must be interested in pursuing a PhD or MD/PhD. Students at all levels of research experience are encouraged to apply.
Important Details
- Application deadline: February 1st and will apply through individual host institutions
- Applications typically require one or more essays and 1-2 letters of recommendation
- Applicants must hold US citizenship and have a minimum 3.2 GPA
- Applicants must be second semester sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors (that is, returning in the fall to complete their undergraduate degree)
- Stipends are around $5,000 with housing and meals covered as well
National Science Foundation Research Opportunities for Undergraduates (NSF REUs)
The NSF REUs are National Science Foundation funded summer research internships. There are hundreds of summer research opportunities in any STEM field, from biological sciences, chemistry, math, engineering, and physics to computer science, ocean sciences, and behavioral sciences. These internships offer the chance to conduct research in a lab with a PI alongside other undergraduate students. The research conducted in each lab varies from more general scientific research to work focused in a very specific field.
Important Details
- Applications open in November/December and are due January/February
- Applications and deadlines are unique to each host institution
- Applications typically require one or more essays and 1-2 letters of recommendation
- Stipends are around $6,000 and housing is usually covered
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Summer Undergraduate Research Programs
The AAMC summer research internships are similar to the NSF REUs, though they are hosted at medical colleges, so the fields of research relate more toward a setting. Internships include research and professional development seminars designed for undergraduates, career development activities, and designated housing near Baylor College of Medicine
Important Details
- Applications typically require 1 or more essays and 1-2 letters of recommendation
- Application deadlines vary by institution, though many are in January
- The stipend and housing tend to be similar to the NSF REUs as well
National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program (NIH SIP)
and
National Institutes of Health Center for Cancer Research Interns (CCR-CRI)
The NIH SIP and the NIH National Cancer Institute's Cancer Research Intern (CRI) programs are for college students interested in exploring careers in research and healthcare. These are full-time research positions within one of the NIH Institutes and Centers (IC) in the NIH Intramural Research Program. Research groups are located on all NIH campuses, including the main campus in Bethesda, MD. Summer interns work in a research groups directed by a Principal Investigator (PI). They offer research opportunities in the biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences with opportunities to explore basic, translational, and clinical research. Students interested in biology, engineering, epidemiology, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, physics, computer science, bioinformatics, and other health-related fields are invited to apply.
Important Details
- Applicants must be a US citizen and enrolled in a university at the time of application
- The application includes a CV/Resume, the names and contact information of two references, and a cover letter broadly describing your research experience, current interests, and career goals
- Check websites for deadlines. Normally in January and February.
Science Undergraduate Laboratory Interships (SULI)
The Department of Energy (DOE) has 17 participating laboratories in this comprehensive and diverse program led by experts in the field.
Important Details
- Applicants must be a US citizen and enrolled in a university at the time of application
- The application includes the names and contact information of two references, and a 4 essays broadly describing your research experience, current interests, and career goals
- For this cycle, applications close on January 8, 2025
The Lewis Scholars Program is a CDC funded summer internship that introduces undergraduate students to topics in minority health and health equity and supports their career development. Each institution delivers a program with specific focus areas within public health and minority health. Some focus areas include maternal and child health, occupational health, social determinants of health, elimination of health disparities, environmental justice, and climate and health, and developmental disabilities. Internship sites include Columbia University, Morehouse College, the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board, UCLA, and Michigan.
Important Details
- The application eligibility varies by site, but generally includes being a rising junior or senior and a minimum GPA of 2.7. African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, people with disabilities, economically disadvantaged, and LGBTQ individuals are encouraged to apply.
- Two letters of recommendation and a CV/Resume are required parts of the application
- Application deadline: Check web pages for each program; Normally January 31st, with the exception of the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board, which is on January 5th
RISE stands for Research Internships in Science and Engineering. RISE Germany offers undergraduate students from North American, British and Irish universities the opportunity to complete a summer research internship at top German universities and research institutions. RISE Germany is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. Students are matched with a host university or institute according to their area of interest (biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, engineering, or a closely related field).
Important Details
- DAAD provides students a monthly stipend for three months to help cover living expenses
- German language is not required and the working language will be in English
- In 2024, applications open October 15th and the deadline is November 30th