Education Research Internship Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Education research internships offer invaluable opportunities for students and recent graduates to delve into the world of educational policy, data analysis, and research methodologies. These programs not only provide practical experience but also contribute to building a diverse cohort of equity-minded researchers dedicated to addressing opportunity gaps in education. This article explores various education research internship opportunities, highlighting their unique features, eligibility criteria, and potential career pathways.
The EdTrust Education Research Internship Program
Overview
The EdTrust Education Research Internship Program stands out as a pivotal initiative aimed at cultivating the next generation of equity-minded analysts and researchers. This program focuses on centering students of color and low-income students in higher education policy research. Recognizing a gap in current academic and professional training, particularly in data analytics and management, EdTrust provides a steppingstone towards building a diverse and equity-focused pool of policy researchers interested in data-informed policymaking.
Program Focus
The internship emphasizes the importance of data analytics, data management, and cloud-based data systems, areas often lacking in traditional education research training. EdTrust interns play a crucial role in the organization's mission of closing opportunity gaps for students of color and those from low-income backgrounds.
Intern Perspectives
Brianna Wright, a Ph.D. candidate and former higher education research intern, shared her experience: "I am relatively new to data analytics and the higher education research team helped me expand my skills, understanding, and confidence in quantitative research."
Featured Interns and Their Backgrounds
Brianna Huynh: Pursuing an MS in Mathematics with an emphasis in Mathematics Education at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She has experience as a Data & Systems Intern for APIA Scholars and as a Fellow for the Campaign for College Opportunity.
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Khalab Blagburn: A junior at Pomona College double majoring in Cognitive Science and Statistics. He has conducted research at the University of Maryland and Yale University, focusing on child development, cognition, and learning.
Noppakan Sirikul: Recently completed her Master’s in Applied Statistics at CSU Long Beach. Her higher education research began in graduate school, where she served as a Data Fellow, developing statistical and machine learning models.
Tihirah Ruffin: A Ph.D. student in the Higher Education Leadership program at Colorado State University, with experience spanning across public universities, private colleges, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Tionna Ellis: A fourth-year student at the University of Virginia, double majoring in Economics and Education: Youth & Social Innovation, bringing a personal and analytical lens to issues of access and equity.
Paulina Fraser: A 2024-25 Nichols Fellow continuing as a higher education consultant, leading projects on basic needs, postsecondary pathways, universal FAFSA policies, and land-grant institutions.
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Additional Team Members
Nitin Singh: A data engineer pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Science at the Illinois Institute of Technology, bringing expertise in building and optimizing data pipelines and cloud technologies.
Da’Ja’Nay Askew: A Ph.D. candidate in higher education and student affairs at Indiana University, with over a decade of experience in teaching, program development, and consulting focusing on equitable practices and anti-racist pedagogy.
Durriya Ahmed: A higher education research intern alum and recent graduate from UCLA, currently a youth organizer with Community Coalition and a board member on the California Cradle-to-Career Community Engagement Advisory Board.
Dylyn Turner-Keener: Graduated from Mills College with a bachelor’s in PEPL (policy, economics, politics and law) and a master’s in public policy, having worked with political figures and organizations.
Jae Crawford: A fall 2023 intern pursuing a master’s of science in college student personnel at the University of Rhode Island, supporting research projects aimed at advancing equity, access, and success for all college students.
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Alumni Success Stories
Olivia Gunther: An EdTrust intern alum and graduate of the MPP program at the Harris School of Public Policy - University of Chicago, passionate about using research to advance equity and justice in higher education.
Brianna Wright: A higher education research intern alum and Ph.D. candidate at UCLA, focusing on how women of color persist in STEM.
Diana Torres: An intern alum and Ph.D. candidate at UCLA, researching college affordability and financial aid policies.
Shytance Wren: An intern alum and doctoral student at the University of Maryland, examining college and university transformational practices for Black, Latino, Indigenous, and low-income students.
Naomi Beckley: An intern alum and a graduate of Yale University, involved with the Yale Undergraduate Prison Project and serving as an AP alumni council member for the College Board.
Michael Grigsby: An intern alum and graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, having worked on campus racial climate data, hate crimes data, university endowments, and college costs.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Educational Programs
Overview
ORNL educational programs offer experiences that complement academic programs, providing opportunities for additional learning, development, and training in a workplace setting. Located near the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, ORNL offers proximity to both the outdoors and urban centers.
Program Benefits
ORNL provides computing and data resources, allowing interns to develop a host of skills beneficial for their future careers. The location also offers an affordable cost of living, 8% lower than the national average, and no state income tax.
Focus on STEM Outreach
ORNL emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) outreach, recognizing its vital role in developing future scientists, engineers, and innovators.
National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Overview
The NSF REU program supports undergraduate students in research projects across the United States and the world. Faculty can apply for funding to support a cohort of undergraduate students in research projects designed specifically for the NSF REU program or can apply for additional funding to involve undergraduate students in a new or ongoing NSF-funded research project.
Program Benefits
REU-supported students receive stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing, meals, and travel. Undergraduates can apply directly to REU Sites to participate in research projects.
AbbVie's Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine Internship
Overview
AbbVie’s Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine group offers internships focused on the discovery of biotherapeutic and genetic medicine drug candidates. These internships require integrated data science strategies to automate experimental execution, capture and visualize data, and enable ML models for de novo candidate discovery and optimization.
Key Responsibilities
Interns analyze laboratory workflows and design/implement automated liquid handling and data capture solutions. Students pursuing a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry, Molecular or Cellular Biology, or other related majors are encouraged to apply. Previous research experience, including at least one summer or semester of independent lab research, is required.
Regeneron Genetics Center Summer Internship
Overview
The Regeneron Genetics Center in Tarrytown, NY, offers a summer internship within the Genomics and Health Data Mining Team. This internship provides opportunities to work on cell culture techniques, process mouse samples, use the ELSIPOTS platform, perform data analysis, and present at team meetings.
Application Information
An external application is needed in addition to The Leadership Alliance SR-EIP application.
American Institutes for Research (AIR) Summer Internship Program
Overview
AIR's Summer Internship Program aims to identify, attract, and build a pipeline of skilled future talent. The 10-12 week paid summer program is open to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students.
Program Features
AIR hosts various activities and events throughout the summer to provide opportunities for interns to interact with staff and other interns. Interns gain hands-on experience in their field of study.
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship
Overview
The MPFI Summer Research Internship offers aspiring scientists an immersive laboratory experience with MPFI researchers. This six-week internship is designed for high school students entering their junior or senior year in Palm Beach or Martin County.
Program Focus
The internship focuses on brain structure, function and development, and the advanced imaging techniques and technologies used in neuroscience. Additional opportunities are available for students interested in mechanical engineering and design, computer programming and machine learning, and application development.
Internship Tracks
- Wet Lab Techniques: Genetic engineering, microbiology preparations, histological staining, and microscopy.
- Scientific Programming: Developing software programs for data analysis using C/C++, Python, Matlab, or Java.
- Mechanical Engineering: Designing and creating custom parts using a CAD program called SolidWorks.
- Programming/Coding for Public Engagement: Developing online activities and web applications aimed at engaging audiences with STEM concepts, using WordPress, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be entering their junior or senior years in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school, reside in those counties, and be 16 years of age or older by the start date of the summer internship. Interns are compensated at $14/hour.
Application Components
- Responses to the essay question (600 words maximum).
- Resume saved with your name in the file name.
- Unofficial transcripts.
- AP Score Report (if applicable).
Other Summer Research Programs
CUR List
The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) provides a list of summer research programs for informational purposes. The information is populated by self-entry and is not validated by CUR.
PathwaysToScience.org
PathwaysToScience.org has a searchable database of 600+ summer research programs for undergraduates in all STEM disciplines. These are fully funded opportunities, including programs sponsored by NSF, NASA, NIH, etc.
Specific Programs
Data Analytics for Science Immersion Experience (DASIE) ‐ Carnegie Mellon University: A weeklong program introducing undergraduate students to data-enabled science.
Design of Nanomaterials for 21st Century Energy ‐ University of South Carolina: An REU program focusing on designing and synthesizing nanostructured materials for energy conversion and storage processes.
NSF ERC Internet of Things for Precision Agriculture: Students work with researchers at various universities on technologies that advance food, energy, and water security.
NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Quantum Information Science ‐ University of South Carolina: A nine-week, fully funded summer research experience focused on cutting-edge topics in quantum information science.
Paid: 10-week Summer REU in Engineering and Sustainable Technologies ‐ University of Kansas: An immersive program for students in HVACR systems with a focus on sustainable refrigerants.
Political Science Predoctoral Summer Institute ‐ Georgetown University: A week-long training program for students considering a Ph.D. in political science or a closely related field.
Summer Institute in Biostatistics and Data Science (SIBDS) ‐ Florida Atlantic University: An opportunity for undergraduate majors in math, statistics, and data science.
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