15 Virtual Internships for Undergraduates
Internships are an important part of a college student’s academic and professional development. They offer the chance to apply classroom concepts in practical settings, develop key workplace skills, and gain a clearer understanding of potential career directions. For many students, internships also help build a more competitive resume and establish early connections within their chosen field.
Virtual internships provide a flexible way to access these opportunities—especially for students managing coursework, living in remote locations, or balancing other responsibilities. These online roles span a wide range of industries, including fields like public policy, communications, business, and especially STEM.
To help you explore your options, we’ve compiled a list of 15 virtual internships for undergraduate students. These opportunities include programs across STEM and non-STEM fields and are selected for their accessibility, educational value, and potential to build relevant skills.
1. Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) Internships
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Dates: Academic year program, exact dates not specified; 10 hours/week
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in a degree-seeking program in an accredited college or university. This includes recent high school graduates, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students
The U.S. The Department of State’s VSFS Internships provide various opportunities throughout the academic year for post-secondary students interested in supporting their domestic and overseas offices. You will apply for internship projects based on the options available from mentors who will guide and supervise you during your work. The program allows you to work in various federal agencies and contribute to meaningful projects while committing 10 hours/week to the program.
2. Ladder Internships University Program
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Dates: 8 weeks starting July 14
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. June 23 for the upcoming Summer cohort
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students are eligible
Ladder Internships offers highly selective virtual internships for undergraduates that enable you to explore career options and experience a professional environment before you graduate. The program will connect you with a global startup or non-governmental organization in various industries, including technology, healthtech, journalism, fashion, environmental science, and more. These high-growth companies offer valuable experience as you work on projects and contribute to their goals. At the end of the program, you will have tangible output to showcase in your resume or portfolio, thus enhancing your employability.
Throughout your internship, you will be supervised by a manager at the organization and also gain one-on-one assistance, mentorship, and support from a Ladder Coach who will help you successfully fulfill your objectives.
3. San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) Internships
Acceptance Rate: Selective, about 40 spots
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Dates: 1-4 months starting May 19
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: You must enroll in 1 or 2 CPT credits based on your work hours
SFBU offers virtual internships for undergraduates in a wide range of fields, with over 14,000 host companies around the world. These opportunities are very flexible, allowing you to focus on your studies and extracurriculars while pursuing an internship. This program allows you to build global connections with peers and professionals from various backgrounds, while also offering support with a dedicated internship coach. Additionally, you will benefit from weekly webinars, group discussions, and evaluations from your supervisor.
You will also receive professional development training through online courses, and get a certificate of completion and a personalized evaluation report at the end of your internship.
4. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: None. A stipend may be provided
Dates: Depends on the internship
Application Deadline: Spring: September 12 | Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 26
Eligibility: U.S citizens who are full-time students or part-time college students enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester hours, at least 16 years old at the time of application
NASA OSTEM offers in-person and virtual internships for undergraduates in various fields related to space science, research, and engineering. These opportunities include professional exposure to various projects spanning data analysis, software development, aerospace engineering, business administration, communications, and more.
You will benefit from mentorship with NASA engineers and scientists as you conduct various tasks that add value to the organization’s ongoing projects. They also offer academic courses where you will be exposed to the research process, engage in academic readings, and collect and analyze data.
5. NASA DEVELOP Program
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual/in-person at DEVELOP locations across the country
Cost: None. Hourly stipend depends on the current level of education, applicant classification, and locality
Dates: Summer: June 2 - August 8 | Fall: September 15 - November 21 | Spring: January 26 - April 3
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines for different cohorts.
Eligibility: Current or recent undergraduates who will be at least 18 by the start of the program; minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA
NASA’s DEVELOP program offers virtual internships for undergraduates and recent graduates interested in Earth Science to further explore the field and its various applications.
The program runs for 10 weeks, and you will be placed in a team consisting of 4-5 individuals to conduct feasibility studies. The program gives you experience in GIS, remote sensing, research, and science communication along with mentorship from science advisors and DEVELOP Fellows. The program encourages you to produce high-quality, professional deliverables such as videos, presentations, and reports that communicate your findings. You will thus learn about geospatial information and work to bridge the communication and information gap between scientists and society and address policy and environmental concerns by increasing awareness.
6. Teach for America Ignite Fellowship
Acceptance Rate: Slightly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: None. Up to $1,200 stipend offered
Dates: 14 weeks (whole term) for 3-5 hours/week
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are current full-time and part-time college undergraduates, full-time and part-time graduate students, and are eligible to work in the U.S.
While not structured like traditional virtual internships for undergraduates, the Ignite Fellowship offers a rewarding opportunity for students who wish to pursue a career in education or teaching. In this program, you will spend a whole term (14 weeks) tutoring a small group of 2-3 young students for about 3-5 hours per week. This opportunity allows you to build relationships with younger students and develop your leadership skills. You will interact with elementary, middle school, and high school students and work on polishing their reading, maths, and other skills.
7. Internships at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: None. Stipend offered
Dates: Varies based on the internship
Application Deadline: Depends on the specific internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed one year of study, graduate students, and recent graduates, international students within the continental U.S.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture offers virtual internships for undergraduates that combine practical and professional experience in museum operations. They have various opportunities that include research and collections, content creation, science writing, marketing, and more. You will be engaged in subjects related to African American history and culture, including folklore, cultural anthropology, museum studies, linguistics, and more. They also offer hybrid and on-site internships that provide a valuable learning experience as you work alongside professionals and scholars, and gain experience in museum operations.
8. Johnson & Johnson Internships
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Virtual and in-person across the country
Cost: None. Stipend not specified
Dates: 10-12 weeks; exact dates depend on the internship
Application Deadline: Depends on the internship
Eligibility: Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree or above with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Johnson & Johnson internships give you the opportunity to contribute to the company’s vital assignments and initiatives as you gain experience working in a team. You will spend 10-12 weeks collaborating with peers and seniors to add value to the organization. They have a range of internships spanning diverse roles. Available opportunities are constantly updated with new roles, and you can explore the offered roles to find a suitable opportunity.
9. American Psychological Association (APA)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: None. Stipend and academic credit may be offered
Dates: Depends on the internship
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution, eligible to work in the U.S., residing in states where APA is registered as an employer.
The APA’s Internship program will introduce you to various ways in which psychology is applied in non-clinical settings as you work alongside professionals from various fields, including education, publishing, policy, and communications. You will also contribute towards various initiatives to fulfill APA’s aim of enhancing psychological learning and raising awareness to positively impact society. The internship includes learning opportunities with APA-led workshops and programs, mentorship training, and practical projects. The program is a great way for you to explore non-academic roles in psychology, including education, advocacy, and public communication.
10. EnergyMag Internships
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Dates: Half-time internships available in summer: 2 – 8 weeks in increments of 2 weeks (20 hours/week) | Quarter-time internships available year-round: 1 - 9 months in increments of 1 month (8 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: College students with a GPA of at least 3.0
EnergyMag offers virtual internships for undergraduates and high school students who want to explore the renewable energy and energy storage sectors through research-focused, remote work. You will be assigned topics based on your academic background and interests and may be involved in analyzing a specific company, market niche, or emerging technology. You will be guided by a mentor as you conduct independent research, communicate with industry experts, and compile your findings into a professional analysis report. Your reports may also be published on the EnergyMag website. You thus have the opportunity to gain mentorship and writing experience, along with a platform that credits your published work. This program also offers regular feedback and a Letter of Accomplishment upon successful completion!
11. Smithsonian Office of Academic Appointments and Internships
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual, hybrid, or in-person in Washington, D.C.
Cost: None. Stipends may be offered depending on the internship
Dates: Depends on the internship
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are juniors, seniors, or have graduated within the last 6 months, and are declared as an art history major, concentration, or related discipline; a GPA of 3.0 is generally expected
The Smithsonian Office of Academic Appointments and Internships offers virtual internships for undergraduates who are interested in working in the arts and culture. In the Katzenberger Foundation Art History Internship, you will be placed in research and collections-focused roles that involve supporting curatorial or archival work through writing, research, and digital management. The program also provides valuable exposure and mentorship training that will help you explore the nuances of a career in art and history.
12. UNICEF Internships
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Location: Remote or in-person, depending on the internship supervisor, project, and office
Cost: None; monthly stipend provided to all interns. A one-time lump sum may be granted for travel and visa costs
Dates: 6 – 26 weeks, full-time or part-time; exact dates depend on the internship
Application Deadline: Depends on the internships
Eligibility: Students who are at least 18 years old and currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or PhD programme, or graduated within the past 2 years; strong academic performance, and proficiency in at least one of UNICEF’s working languages (English, Spanish, or French) is also required. Additional requirements depend on the internship
UNICEF has in-person and virtual internships for undergraduates that give you the chance to gain experience working on active projects in UNICEF’s diverse offices and departments. You will gain experience in the humanitarian sector with meaningful experiential learning opportunities that support your academic, personal, and professional development. Their available vacancies are constantly updated. Currently, you can be involved in supporting the development of Green Rising's Urban Strategy for Youth Engagement in Slums, Generation Unlimited. You will contribute towards advancing youth-led climate action in vulnerable urban communities globally. This can include responsibilities such as research and documentation on environmental action, drafting briefs, communication materials, and internal updates, developing content for meetings, presentations, and webinars, improving coordination between headquarters, regional, and country offices, and more.
13. Internships at the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Acceptance Rate: Selective; ~100 interns
Location: Virtual, or in-person in Washington, D.C.
Cost: None
Dates: 6 weeks – 1 year, full-time or part-time, at least 15-20 hours/week
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and postgraduate students
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage provides virtual internships for undergraduates to be involved in various activities throughout the year, in fields such as museum studies, arts administration, folklore, cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, linguistics, graphic and web design, videography, library science, social media, and marketing. You will work on various projects and receive guidance and mentorship from the Center’s professional staff. Your work will typically focus on research and production for educational outreach, cultural sustainability programs, and events such as the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives, and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
14. United Planet Virtual Internships and Volunteering
Acceptance Rate: Slightly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: $800 - $2300; $350 scholarship grant available
Dates: 1-6 months; depends on the project
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students
United Planet’s Virtual Internship & Volunteer Opportunities will connect you with global organizations working in fields such as global health, education, environmental sustainability, and community development. You will support projects ranging from program research and grant writing to digital marketing, teaching, and community outreach - often with a social impact component. You will also support vulnerable communities, promote environmental education, and empower students through virtual mentorship and confidence-building curricula. Each internship includes pre-program training, continuous mentorship, and cultural engagement activities to enhance your overall experience.
15. Ocean Science Writing Internship
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual, hybrid, or in-person in Washington, D.C.
Cost: None. $350/week stipend for part-time, not exceeding a total of $4,200 ($17.50/hour for 20 hours/week)
Dates: September 8 – November 24
Application Deadline: July 7
Eligibility: Preferably a college Junior, Senior, or Graduate Student
The Ocean Portal Science Writing Internship offers virtual internships for undergraduates interested in science communication. You will develop digital content for the Ocean Portal website to highlight the ocean-related research conducted by Smithsonian scientists. You will also pitch and write short-form, journalistic articles, which may require you to interview experts and make complex research more accessible for public audiences. In addition to writing, you will be engaged in broader digital communication activities, including social media campaigns and content planning with the museum's Communications and Public Affairs team. The program emphasizes skill-building in editorial workflows, research organization, and audience-focused science storytelling.