Since 2017, the U.S. National Science Foundation INTERN program has provided graduate students with experiential learning opportunities through research internships in non-academic settings.
On this page
On this page About INTERN
INTERN enables graduate students to acquire core professional competencies and skills to support careers in any sector of the U.S. economy. The program offers:
- Complementary, non-academic training for graduate students.
- Professional development experience in preparation for multiple career pathways.
- Opportunities that encourage the participation of the full spectrum of diverse talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
What funding is available?
INTERN supplements provide up to $55,000 to support travel, tuition and fees, health insurance, additional stipend and other costs.
Who can apply?
Active NSF awardees may submit supplemental funding requests for up to six additional months of graduate student support on their grant.
NSF INTERN program
If you could participate in an NSF-funded internship at a Fortune 500 company, small business, government lab, think tank or school, what would you choose?
Credit: U.S. National Science Foundation
Current INTERN opportunities
Explore funding opportunities for science and engineering internships.
Dear Colleague Letter
Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
The INTERN program provides graduate students with experiential learning opportunities through research internships to acquire core professional competencies and skills to support careers in any sector of the U.S. economy.
Posted October 8, 2020
Dear Colleague Letter
Research Internships for Graduate Students at Air Force Research Laboratory (NSF-AFRL INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
NSF-AFRL INTERN supports the training of graduate students to meet both NSF's strategic workforce development objectives and AFRL's mission to lead the discovery, development and delivery of new technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces.
Posted December 11, 2020
Dear Colleague Letter
Graduate Research Internships at National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NSF-NIBIB/BETA INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Invites supplemental funding requests from active NSF recipients to provide graduate students with research internships and professional development opportunities in biomedical engineering.
Posted April 30, 2024
Dear Colleague Letter
Research Internships for Graduate Students at U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory and Ground Vehicle Systems Center (NSF-DEVCOM INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Invites supplemental funding requests to enable graduate students to pursue research internships and training opportunities on relevant topics at the DEVCOM ARL or DEVCOM GVSC that will complement the student’s academic research training.
Posted March 21, 2024
Dear Colleague Letter
Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students in Geothermal Energy Supplemental Funding Opportunity (Geothermal INTERN)
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Geothermal INTERN supports graduate students with professional development opportunities in geothermal energy, technology and its application areas.
Posted November 15, 2022
Dear Colleague Letter
Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) Opportunity for Graduate Students Supplemental Funding to Link Geosciences and Human Health (GeoHealth INTERN)
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
GeoHealth INTERN supports six-month graduate student internships with public health or medical professionals on mutually beneficial projects exploring the linkage of human health and the earth's environment.
Posted May 22, 2023
Dear Colleague Letter
Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students in Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies (Hydrogen INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Encourages supplemental funding requests to provide graduate student internship and training opportunities focused on hydrogen and fuel cell technologies to foster the growth of a competitive and diverse research workforce.
Posted May 6, 2024
Dear Colleague Letter
Graduate Research Internships in Forensic Science and Criminal Justice Contexts (NSF-NIJ INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
NSF-NIH INTERN supports non-academic research internships for graduate students in forensic science and criminal justice contexts.
Posted September 11, 2023
Impacts of INTERN
NSF supports more than 250 INTERN experiences each year in settings such as startups, small and large corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
INTERN not only expands students' technical expertise but also provides experience with collaborative teams and diverse individuals, building skills and knowledge in communication, innovation, leadership and more.
INTERN news
NSF News
NSF and DOE partner on new internship opportunity in clean hydrogen energy
NSF News
NSF and NIH partner on internship opportunity in biomedical engineering
NSF News
Under new partnership, NSF and the Army offer unique research internship opportunity
More INTERN news
Contact us
Questions about the NSF INTERN program can be emailed to the lead program director Prakash Balan at pbalan@nsf.gov.
