2026 Summer Internships at SERC
Deadline: February 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
Hours: Full-time
Stipend: $700 per week
Housing: Onsite dormitory housing is available.
Anticipated start date: A mutually agreeable start date will be determined with selected applicants; most start dates are typically within the first couple weeks after Memorial Day
Duration: Typically 10-16 weeks
Location: Edgewater, MD
Work model: Most internships will be onsite, though there may some some remote opportunities available
Are you passionate about science and eager to be involved with research that can shape the future of our planet? SERC is now accepting applications to join our cohort of 2026 summer interns! Interns at SERC conduct independent projects on a wide range of topics including some of the most profound issues challenging our world today such as habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species. The internship program enables students to work on independent research projects relevant to their own academic and professional goals under the mentorship of an internship supervisor. Projects span the range of research conducted at SERC, including environmental chemistry, marine and estuarine ecology, molecular ecology, and terrestrial ecology. Projects are also offered in public engagement, with opportunities in environmental education, participatory science, and science writing. Internships are typically in-person, though virtual or hybrid opportunities may be available.
The SERC community strongly encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Internships are designed as training and skill-building opportunities for students and recent grads still in the early stages of their careers. We recognize that each applicant will bring unique skills, knowledge, and experiences to these internships, including experience that may not be directly related to science or research.
See the list of Internship Topics to learn about the various projects and research labs that may be available for an internship placement. Learn more about summer internships by exploring the left navigational bar, including the Eligibility, How to Apply, and FAQ pages. On mobile, find these pages under the menu button near the top of the page.
About SERC
SERC is a research center of the Smithsonian Institution, located in Edgewater, MD on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, approximately 10 miles south of Annapolis, 40 miles east of Washington DC, and 40 miles south of Baltimore. SERC's 2,650-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.