NSF's INTERN program provides graduate students with experiential learning opportunities through research internships in non-academic settings.

Since 2017, INTERN has offered supplemental funding to broaden research opportunities for graduate students. The program enables graduate students to acquire core professional competencies and skills to support careers in any sector of the U.S. economy.

NSF considers supplemental funding requests for up to an additional six months of graduate student support on active NSF grants to provide:

• complementary, non-academic training for graduate students
• professional development experience in preparation for multiple career pathways
• opportunities for students from groups that are underrepresented in science and engineering

August 21, 2023 news: DOE and NSF announce first cohort in the NSF INTERN program to support growth of the geothermal energy workforce

Current INTERN Opportunities

NSF has six INTERN funding opportunities in topics across science and engineering fields:

• Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity (NSF 21-013)
• Research Internships for Graduate Students at Air Force Research Laboratory (NSF-AFRL INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity (NSF 21-029)
• Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students in Geothermal Energy Supplemental Funding Opportunity (Geothermal INTERN) (NSF 23-024)
• Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) Opportunity for Graduate Students Supplemental Funding to Link Geosciences and Human Health (GeoHealth INTERN) (NSF 23-112)
• Graduate Research Internships in Forensic Science and Criminal Justice Contexts (NSF-NIJ INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity (NSF 23-150)
• 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 (NSF 24-071)

INTERN supplements provide up to $55,000 to support travel, tuition and fees, health insurance, additional stipend, and other costs. Please see the specific funding opportunities for details.

Questions about NSF's INTERN program can be emailed to lead program director Dr. Prakash Balan (pbalan@nsf.gov).

Impacts of INTERN

NSF supports more than 250 INTERN experiences each year in settings such as startups, small and large corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

INTERN not only expands students' technical expertise, it also provides experience with collaborative teams and diverse individuals, and it builds skills and knowledge in communication, innovation, leadership, and more.

INTERN participants and mentors share what they have gained from the program.