Navy Internship Programs Offer Research Opportunities for Students

Internship programs run by the Department of the Navy give high school, undergraduate, and graduate students the chance to participate in research projects during the summer months. These programs are designed to support science and technology fields that are relevant to Navy operations.

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) coordinates a ten-week summer internship for college-level students, focusing on research in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum materials, solar radio astronomy, and molecular engineering. This program is managed in collaboration with the Department of Navy Student Internship Program.

The Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) places undergraduate and graduate students in Navy laboratories for a ten-week research experience. Participants are mentored by scientists and engineers throughout the program, which is held at various Department of Navy labs.

For high school students, the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) offers an eight-week internship across more than 38 Navy laboratories. Each year, approximately 300 high school students participate in SEAP, gaining exposure to scientific and engineering research environments.

What the numbers show

• NREIP provides over 800 placements each summer in about 62 labs
• SEAP involves around 300 high school students in over 38 labs
• Stipends for NREIP range from $7,500 to $11,500, while SEAP stipends are $4,000 or $4,500

Stipends for NREIP interns are determined by education level, with new undergraduates receiving $7,500, returning undergraduates $9,000, and graduate students $11,500. These payments are distributed bi-weekly during the internship period.

SEAP participants receive bi-weekly stipends as well, with new interns earning $4,000 and returning interns receiving $4,500 over the course of the eight-week program. These financial arrangements are designed to support students during their research experiences.

The application period for both NREIP and SEAP opens each year on August 1 and closes on November 1. Selection decisions are communicated to applicants between January and March, allowing students to plan for their summer research activities.

Through these programs, the Department of the Navy aims to engage students in research that aligns with its scientific and technological priorities, while providing hands-on experience in laboratory settings.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.