These are established programs that provide paid opportunities to conduct biologically-related research, and typically involve an individual research project. They are listed in chronological order by posting date. You can also browse the National Science Foundation REU Programs by topic and location.
UVM students can earn credits for qualifying internship experiences, whether during the academic year or in Summer. These are organized through a student’s college or department: College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS), Rubenstein School for the Environment & Natural Resources (RSENR). CAS’s Summer Internship Scholarship Program can provide students with up to $3,000 to help cover their food, rent, transportation, and/or other living expenses while doing an internship.
Spring 2026
10/6 – Smithsonian Internship: Science Communication & Social Media – MD
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) is looking for recent grads interested in science writing, for a 4-month paid internship at our campus on Chesapeake Bay! The on-site science communication intern will go behind the scenes with Smithsonian scientists, educators and volunteers while crafting stories about their work.
This internship will focus primarily on social media, with an emphasis on creating short videos featuring SERC’s research and public engagement staff. The intern will create content for SERC’s three main social media platforms: Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook. They will also have the opportunity to write longer articles for SERC’s Shorelines blog, which may appear in our print newsletter, On The Edge.
Deadline: Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025 at 11:59pm ET
Eligibility: This internship is open to recent graduates who will have completed a bachelor’s degree within six months of applying for the position.
Stipend: $650/week. On-site housing in SERC dormitory included.
Duration: 16 weeks, with the potential for an 8-week extension
Start Date: mid- to late January 2026
Location: Edgewater, Maryland
Work Model: In person
Mentor: Kristen Goodhue (SERC science writer)
What you’ll learn:
- How to interview scientists and other experts working in the environmental field
- How to translate complex, technical topics into engaging, public-friendly language
- How to create short-form social media videos and other social media content about science for general audiences
- How to tailor content to different social media platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook)
- How to write news articles about science, following a standard journalistic style (the Associated Press style guide)
- How to find legal, copyright-free images and music to include in published content
- How to implement best practices for accessibility in digital communications
Desired Qualifications:
- Scientific background (some natural sciences coursework; not required to be a science major)
- Flair for telling stories about science for a general audience, as demonstrated by writing samples
- Experience creating videos
- Experience doing social media in a non-personal capacity (e.g. for a campus club, university department or other organization)
The SERC community strongly encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We recognize that each applicant for this role will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences and background to this position. As such, we will be looking for candidates who possess some, but not necessarily all, of the qualifications and experience listed above.
How to apply: Submit the following materials to GoodhueK@si.edu by Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025 at 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time, with the subject line “Social Media Intern”:
- Cover letter
- Resume with two references (name, title and contact information)
- One to three writing samples explaining science for general readers. Writing samples can include school papers, student newspaper articles, or pieces you’ve written for a personal blog—anything that tells a story about science without all the technical jargon! Samples do not need to be published. Multimedia pieces and social media posts are also welcome, as long as at least one of the samples is a standard written work of prose at least one page in length. Total length of all writing samples should be no more than 10 double-spaced pages. If multimedia samples are too large to email, upload them to a file sharing system like Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive or Dropbox and include a link in your application. Please make sure Kristen Goodhue (GoodhueK@si.edu) has access to view the link.
Pro tip for applicants: Don’t just talk about your past experience. Show us how this internship would give you something new! Smithsonian internships are meant to be learning experiences, especially for students who have had fewer opportunities outside of schoolwork. Let your application reviewers know how this experience would benefit you beyond another line on a resume.
Questions? Check out the FAQs on our science writing internship homepage. If you don’t see the answer to your question there, contact Kristen Goodhue (goodhuek@si.edu) She gets internship questions often and is happy to help!
About the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC): SERC is a research center of the Smithsonian Institution, located in Edgewater, Maryland, on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The campus is approximately 10 miles south of Annapolis, 40 miles west of Washington. D.C. and 40 miles south of Baltimore. SERC’s 2,654-acre campus is a living laboratory for long-term ecosystem research on forests, farmland, wetlands, shorelines and estuaries. The SERC campus contains a laboratory and office complex, as well as education and waterfront facilities, dormitories for interns and guest housing for visitors.
Year-round Opportunities
Conservation Corps – Various US
Conservation Corps work all over the U.S. on projects ranging in focus from Ecology to History: Conservation Legacy and Corps Network. You can serve on a crew with other young(er) folks, or be placed individually. Most positions will come with an AmeriCorps stipend, education award, and other benefits.
Catalog of Biomedical Research Internships
The Student Conservation Association – various US
Paid internships all around the country, ranging from 3 to 12 months, most with housing provided and an AmeriCorps Education award upon completion.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Our program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces across the country. After working with the SCA, program participants emerge with increased environmental awareness, social responsibility and leadership skills.
US Government Agency Internships
For students and faculty in search of internships with government laboratories:
Pharmacology Internship – PA/NC/MA/CT
Summer and school-year internships with GSK, a science-led global healthcare and pharmaceutical company: