Internships are a great way to gain hands-on experience in a desired field during the summer between semesters and beyond. Students get the chance to see what life will be like within their field of interest while completing research and conducting experiments for companies they could ultimately end up working for in the future.

*All internships are listed in alphabetical order by section

Economic Geology Summer 2026 Internships
Paleontology Summer 2026 Internships
Planetary and Space Science Internships:

• For undergraduate and graduate students
• For undergraduate students
• For graduate students

Freeport-McMoRan internship opportunities (Based in AZ)

• Multiple internships exist for Summer of 2026 for students interested in Mine Engineering and Industrial Health and Safety

Kinross internships

• Three internship opportunities are open for Summer 2026 in Elko, NV and Round Mountain, NV for students interested in Geotechnical and Rock Mechanic Engineering

Lahontan Gold Corp.

• The Lahontan Gold Corp is currently seeking an Exploration Geologist or Junior Exploration Geologist to join our team working on active drilling programs at the Santa Fe Mine Project in Nevada’s Walker Lane gold belt. This position offers an excellent opportunity to gain/grow hands-on experience in mineral exploration, including drill program support, core and RC logging, sampling, and field mapping while working alongside an experienced technical team.
• The Santa Fe Project is a past-producing open-pit gold mine that is currently undergoing active exploration and resource expansion through ongoing drilling programs.
• Position: Exploration Geologist/Junior Exploration Geologist
• Location: Hawthorne, Nevada
• Company: Lahontan Gold Corp.
• Potential for part-time work, full-time work, and/or paid internships, depending on experience and availability. Current students and recent graduates studying Geology, Geological Engineering, or a related field and a strong interest in mineral exploration are encouraged to apply.

Nevada Gold Mines

• Nevada Gold Mines is currently recruiting Geology/ Geoscience candidates for the Summer 2026 Intern program. Please see this flyer for more information. 

Newmont internships

• No internships are open yet for Summer of 2026

State of Nevada internships

• A Summer 2026 internship is open in Carson City, NV for students interested in Abandoned Mine Lands (scroll down to “Employment Opportunities”)

Smithsonian Institution Natural History Research Experience (NHRE)

• Natural History Research Experiences (NHRE) is a 10-week summer internship program hosted at the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) in Washington DC, taking place between 5/26/2026 and 7/31/2026. NHRE interns work closely with scientific mentors to complete independent research projects in Anthropology, Botany, Entomology, Invertebrate Zoology, Mineral Sciences, Paleobiology, or Vertebrate Zoology, and present their findings to museum staff and public.
• Additional events include lectures, tours of museum collections, and other activities related to Natural History research. Previous research experience is not required. Interns will receive a competitive stipend, an allocation for travel to the DC area, and will be provided with housing in single-occupancy dorm rooms.

Wyoming Dinosaur Center

• The Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis, Wyoming is now accepting applications for paid seasonal summer interns to join our nationally recognized paleontology program. We would appreciate your assistance in sharing this opportunity with students who are interested in hands-on fieldwork, fossil preparation, museum operations, and science communication.
• This immersive internship offers participants direct experience at active dinosaur dig sites, in a professional fossil preparation laboratory, and in a public museum setting. Interns work alongside experienced paleontologists, educators, and museum staff while gaining real-world skills applicable to careers in paleontology, geology, museum studies, education, and other STEM-related fields.
• Housing is provided, and a weekly stipend is included. Interns must be at least 21 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license. Full program details, responsibilities, and application instructions are included in the attached flyer.
• See this flyer for more internship details or contact Emily Gordon for more information at egordon@wyomingdinosaurcenter.org

Amentum internships

• Amentum JETS offers graduate students and exceptional undergraduates opportunities to conduct research in planetary science fields.  Unlike the engineering side of the contract, nearly all of our internships are semester based, with limited to no availability during the summer.  Students may return for multiple semesters. 
• In addition to the Amentum minimum requirements, our students must have some demonstrated laboratory experience.  On-site internships are available for all US citizens, but internships at UNLV are possible for all students whose advisors are working collaboratively with NASA or JETS Contract employees.  For more information contact valerie.m.tu@nasa.gov
• See this flyer for internships available in the summer of 2026. Application due dates for these opportunities is April 1st, 2026.

John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) College Summer Internships

• APL offers science and engineering internships each summer. The Laboratory’s internship program provides practical work experience and an introduction to APL. Students spend the summer working with APL scientists and engineers, conducting research, developing leadership skills, and growing professionally. This past summer, more than 350 interns from 120 colleges and universities worked at APL. These interns ranged from freshmen to Ph.D. level, worked on projects across the Laboratory in every technical department, and had the opportunity to network throughout the summer at receptions, social events, seminars, and workshops.
• Link to NASA APL program: http://www.jhuapl.edu/NASAIntern/

JPL Summer Internship Program

• The JPL Summer Internship Program offers 10-week, full-time, summer internship opportunities at JPL to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. As part of their internships, students are partnered with JPL scientists or engineers, who serve as the students’ mentors. Students complete designated projects outlined by their mentors, gaining educational experience in their fields of study while also contributing to NASA and JPL missions and science. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a number of enrichment activities, including tours, lectures and career advisement, arranged by the JPL Education Office.

LPI Lunar exploration summer intern program

• NASA and its partners in academia, industry, and the international community are examining options for a new era of robotic and potentially human exploration of the lunar surface.  That effort began when the agency asked the National Research Council (NRC) to develop a set of science priorities for this lunar exploration initiative. To help integrate those science priorities with NASA’s exploration program, the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) has been hosting a special summer intern program to evaluate possible landing sites for robotic and human exploration missions.
• This program is open to graduate students in geology, planetary science, and related programs. It is also open to undergraduates with at least 50 semester hours of credit in those fields so that they, too, can participate in lunar exploration activities.

NASA Academy at Langley Research Center

• The NASA Academy offers an intense, multi-disciplinary research program that emphasizes collaboration, teamwork, leadership, innovation and creativity. Academy participants experience research under circumstances similar to those faced by aerospace professionals. In addition to a team research project, the program includes invited lectures on technical subjects, weekly discussions with NASA professionals, and use of NASA research facilities.
• Apply at Academy App

NASA Pathways

• The NASA Pathways Internship is open to current students and individuals accepted for enrollment in qualifying educational programs. This program provides opportunities to work and explore careers while still in school. By developing an Individual Development Plan (IDP) at the beginning of their internship, students set the trajectory for a future career at NASA by tailoring intern experiences to desired learning opportunities, assignments, and training events to achieve their desired goals. As interns near graduation, they may be considered for full-time permanent or term employment of up to six years beginning after degree completion.

NASA Pathways Internships Johnson Space Center

• The Johnson Space Center’s Office of Education provides internship, fellowship and scholarship opportunities to high school, undergraduate and graduate students from across the United States.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Summer internships 

• Our structured summer internship program provides firsthand experience working in a museum. It’s a great introduction to museum work or an opportunity to expand on previous experience. During the 10-week program, each intern is assigned a supervisor and works on an internship project and other tasks.
• In addition to their projects, interns also frequently meet as a group for presentations, professional development opportunities, enrichment activities, and tours.

For Undergraduate Students:

Brooke Owens fellowship program

• Paid internships and executive mentorship for undergraduate women in aerospace.
• The Brooke Owens Fellowship Program is designed to serve both as an inspiration and as a career boost to capable young women who, like Brooke, aspire to explore our sky and stars, to shake up the aerospace industry, and to help their fellow men and women here on planet Earth. We do this by matching thirty-six extraordinary women per year with purpose-driven, paid internships at leading aviation and space companies and organizations and with senior and executive level mentors.

Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program

• Since 1979, SURF students have had the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of experienced mentors working at the frontier of their fields. This 10-week period over the summer allows students to collaborate with a potential mentor to define and develop a project. Applicants write research proposals as part of the application process and faculty review the proposals and recommend awards. SURF is modeled on the grant-seeking process.
• At the conclusion of the program, students submit a technical paper and give an oral presentation at one of several SURF Seminar Days, symposia modeled on a professional technical meeting.

List of Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program

• Trying to find an REU program that caters to those interested in planetary science is a difficult task. This is because planetary science is an interdisciplinary study covering traditional fields such as geology, chemistry, astronomy, physics, etc. with the focus of applying that discipline to planetary topics. Because of this diversity the American Astronomical Society has compiled a list of REU programs where students can work on research program in planetary science. Data is divided into regional categories (USA, Canada, International). Individual entries note the specific planetary fields in the particular program. The information provided meant as a starting point, a first-stop to see a summary of what is out there. If you plan to apply to any of these programs, be sure to contact them directly to get the most up-to-date details.
• In general application deadlines are in January or February for the following summer.

LPI Summer Intern Program at the Johnson Space Center in Houston

• The Lunar and Planetary Institute invites undergraduates with at least 50 semester hours of credit to experience cutting-edge research in the lunar and planetary sciences. As a Summer Intern, you will work one-on-one with a scientist at the LPI or at the NASA Johnson Space Center on a research project of current interest in lunar and planetary science. You will participate in peer-reviewed research, learn from top-notch planetary scientists, and preview various careers in science.

SETI Institute Ames REU: Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates

• The SETI Institute, a non-profit private scientific research institution located in California’s Silicon Valley, invites students to apply for a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates program for highly motivated students interested in astrobiology research. Students will work with scientists at the SETI Institute and at the nearby NASA Ames Research Center on projects spanning the field of astrobiology from microbiology to observational astronomy. The program also includes field trip.
• Applications close February 1st, 2026

For Graduate Students:

NASA Fellowships

• NASA Fellowships are designed to prepare graduate-level students for careers in research through hands-on experiences and workforce training, developing a well-trained science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. NASA Fellowships, partnered with The National GEM Consortium, fosters faculty, undergraduate, and graduate students in disciplines needed to help advance NASA’s missions and directly contribute to advancements in space exploration.