Summer Programs and Internships
Many students majoring in Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences participate in summer research and employment within the department and elsewhere on campus. Talk to your professors to find out about upcoming opportunities.
Competitive summer research programs are wide ranging in duration, pay (or cost!), and location. Opportunities exist at national and international research institutions. We highlight several high quality programs below, some of which our students have completed.
If you would like to discuss your plans for finding a summer internship, contact the Program Assistant to set up a time to meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). We are happy to help you find a good program that will support your learning and professional development as an earth scientist.
Summer research experience for undergraduates directory
Every year, the Northwestern University Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences organizes a directory of summer research experience for undergraduates. This community-sourced database hosts details about hundreds of programs in different fields to help students find their best fit.
The summer 2025 version of the directory had a total of 238 programs.
For advice on navigating the directory, making a submission as a program director, past directories, and further information, visit the Research Experiences for Undergraduates Directory page on our website.
Additional programs
Not every great summer program makes its way onto our directory. Below we highlight additional summer opportunities for students that may be of particular relevance to DEEPS undergraduates.
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Program |
Description |
| EarthScope Consortium Student Internships | EarthScope offers a variety of paid summer internships for undergraduate and graduate students and recent graduates. These internships provide a spectrum of experiences ranging from research skill development, to full scientific research experiences, and others that provide professional work experience. Opportunities include:
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| Field Museum Women in Science Internships | The field museum offers 6-week in-person summer internships to high schoolers and undergraduates. |
| Geological Society of America - GeoCorps America | These are paid Geoscientist Opportunities on National Parks, National Forests, and BLM Lands “The Geological Society of America strives to increase the presence of geoscientists on federal lands, thereby increasing the permanent hiring of geoscientists, enhancing the transfer of geoscience knowledge to land managers and the public, and raising awareness of the geosciences.” Student membership in GSA is required for eligibility. Good tips on how to prepare a strong application is provided for GeoCorps America. |
| Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) Summer Intern Program in Planetary Science | The LPI Summer Intern Program in Planetary Science provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to perform cutting-edge research, learn from widely respected planetary scientists, and discover exciting careers in planetary science. During the 10-week internship, students have opportunities to participate in enrichment activities, including lectures and career development workshops working with scientists at LPI and the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC). |
| National Park Service Scientists in the Parks (SIP) | The NPS is looking for experienced earth science professionals and students to work with park staffs to help them understand and manage the resources through examining the geology, water, air, and integrated sciences. The work varies greatly from park to park and may be broad or specific in scope. |
| NOAA Sea Grant Undergraduate Opportunities | Sea Grant internships and fellowships allow students to partner with various STEM organizations to promote professional development in new careers and expand leadership in their fields. |
| NSF-REU - National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates | These competitive and prestigious positions generally encompass formal learning with the opportunity to conduct real research. You will become part of a group of students (~10) at a host university or research institution (NASA for example) all focused on some of the most progressive research areas in the field and laboratory today. REU positions can be transformative in your academic development. The NSF funding often includes stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel. The REU webpage includes not only sites for Earth Sciences but also many aligned fields that you should also consider, such as Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, Ocean Sciences, Polar Programs, Astronomical Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences and much more. While many programs are offered every year, there are new programs appearing all the time. Be sure to check these opportunities annually. |
| United States Geological Survey (USGS) Cooperative Summer Fellowship Programs |
USGS has been hosting summer interns for decades. They currently partner with different organizations to bring skilled, nominated interns to the Cooperative Summer Fellowship Program. These programs require the heads or geoscience related university departments to nominate students for participation. Examples of programs:
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| US Department of Energy – Various, Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) | The DOE provide information on nation-wide opportunities for research participation, fellowships, scholarships, training, and internship programs for undergraduates, grads, postdocs, and faculty. Amongst the opportunities through the DOE, is the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) that places students in paid internships in Science and Engineering at any of several Department of Energy facilities. |
| Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Summer Student Fellowship
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A research project is at the heart of the Summer Student Fellowship program. All Fellows work on a project selected in collaboration with their sponsor(s) that will provide meaningful results in one summer’s work. Project topics span the vast spectrum of research in ocean sciences and engineering conducted in WHOI’s science departments and the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center of the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS). |