Summer 2026 Internship Information
MDSGC’s Summer Exchange program invites qualified students to apply for hands-on summer internships at any of the participating universities other than their home institution. The program will exchange successful applicants among participating universities for a 10-week paid internship experience. The link to the application is at the bottom of this page. Please read this page carefully before applying! Interested students should feel free to contact MDSGC with any questions..
For full consideration, the priority application deadline is Monday, March 2, 2026. After that students may still apply for open positions; offers will be made on a rolling basis until all positions are filled or mid-May, whichever is earlier.
Summer 2026 internship activities will largely occur on campus unless explicitly stated to the contrary in the project description.
Eligibility
Applicants must be:
- U.S. citizens.
- Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors majoring in engineering, computer science, or another STEM area relevant to the project topics. Note: some projects have prerequisites that may require particular experience.
- Currently enrolled at one of the following institutions: Capitol Technology University (CTU), Hagerstown Community College (HCC), Johns Hopkins University (JHU), Morgan State University (MSU), Towson University (TU), University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), University of Maryland College Park (UMCP), or University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES).
- Interested in working at one of the participating universities other than their home institution. Example: UMCP students should not apply for an internship offered at UMCP through this program.
- Available to commit for at least 10 weeks during the summer of 2026.
Projects
On the application, students will be asked to rank their top three project choices, specified by “Project ID”, listed in the table below.
| Project ID | Title, Location, Mentor, Project Description, Prerequisites (if any) and Status |
|---|---|
| USNA-1 | Title: USNA STEM Center Internships Status: AVAILABLE Location: United States Naval Academy (USNA) Faculty Mentor: Capt. Joseph McGettigan Description: Interns will be exposed to and trained on hands-on modules that teach basic science principles as well as topics in chemistry and physics. Interns will lead middle school students through building various STEM projects while giving the students the physical principles, equations and real world applications for the learning area. The interns will also have the opportunity to assist the Naval Academy STEM instructors in teaching projects to teachers. During the USNA Summer STEM Camp, the interns can attend classes that they are interested in. In addition, Interns receive instruction in the operation of wind tunnels, flight simulators and the tow tanks at USNA. Interns will gain a better understanding of STEM subjects and will gain self confidence and leadership skills. Qualifications and skills: Basic scientific or engineering coursework covering physics, chemistry and electrical systems. An outgoing personality. Interns will also need to pass a background investigation to receive a base pass. Work will take place on-campus at USNA with no expectation of remote-work. Summer housing is not available on the USNA campus, so interns will be expected to commute to and from campus on a daily basis. This project aims to recruit up to two interns. |
| UMES-1 | Title: Robotics and Embedded Systems: Design, Development and Applications Status: AVAILABLE Location: University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Faculty Mentor: Dr. Abhijit Nagchaudhuri Project Description: The intern will engage in hands-on, team-based robotics research within the UMES Robotics Laboratory, working with autonomous and semi-autonomous mobile robotic platforms such as Agilex Limo, Scout Mini, ROSMASTER X1, field testing of other novel platforms being designed for agricultural applications and/or the JPL Rover prototype that is being developed in the lab. System validation will be conducted through structured indoor experiments as well as supervised outdoor field trials in representative environments. Skills developed include ability to function in a vertically integrated multidisciplinary team, robotic system integration, hardware–software troubleshooting, the design and fabrication of robotic components using CAD and 3D printing resources, technical documentation, and collaborative engineering workflows. Throughout the internship, the intern will also strengthen oral and written communication skills by maintaining lab notebooks, participating in team meetings, and preparing a final poster or presentation for delivery at the end-of-program research symposium. Prerequisites: Rising sophomore or above in Physics, Engineering or Computer Science Major. Additional background knowledge: Familiarity with Ubuntu Operating System, XM, Python, as well as ROS and Gazebo open-source software environments while not a must are desirable. Summer housing will be available through UMES Residence Life by prior arrangement, if desired. This project aims to recruit one or two interns. |
| UMES-2 | Title: Cultivating Microgreens in Lunar and Martian Regolith Simulants in Controlled-Environment Systems Status: AVAILABLE Location: University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Faculty Mentor: Dr. Madhumi Mitra Project Description: The intern will participate in a hands-on, interdisciplinary research project focused on growing fast-cycle crops (microgreens such as alfalfa, broccoli, kale) in lunar and Martian regolith simulants using controlled-environment agriculture platforms. The project is designed to be scalable and adaptable, allowing students from diverse academic backgrounds (biology, environmental science, engineering, agriculture, or data science) to engage meaningfully while being challenged. The intern will assist in designing and implementing controlled growth experiments comparing regolith simulant-amended substrates with conventional growth media. They will be trained to use an indoor FarmBot system for planting seeds, automated irrigation, and data-driven monitoring, as well as Tower Garden systems to explore aeroponic or soilless cultivation strategies. Core project tasks include literature review, attending in-person research meetings and trainings, substrate preparation, experimental setup, crop maintenance, and systematic data collection and analyses related to germination, growth rate, biomass, and visual plant health indicators. The intern will gain experience in experimental design, including defining controls, replicates, and treatment variables, and will learn about plant physiology concepts relevant to stress responses, nutrient uptake, and growth efficiency. Depending on background and interest, interns may also be trained in simple biochemical assays (e.g., antioxidant capacity). Comparative analysis of crop performance across systems (FarmBot vs. Tower Garden), integrating data, will lead to contributing to a research poster or presentation suitable for the symposium. Throughout the internship, emphasis will be placed on systems thinking, sustainability, and real-world problem solving. Interns will develop transferable skills including laboratory safety, scientific documentation, teamwork, communication of results, and exposure to NASA-relevant research questions. The project provides a supportive mentoring environment with opportunities for independent inquiry as well as structured guidance, making it suitable for both early-stage and more advanced undergraduate students. Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: Undergraduate standing (freshman through senior) in a STEM field. Basic coursework in biology, environmental science, agriculture, or engineering OR strong interest in space agriculture and sustainability. Willingness to work in a laboratory/greenhouse setting and follow safety protocols. Curiosity, reliability, enthusiasm, and willingness to work as part of a team. Additional Desired Skills: Experience with plant growth experiments, robotics, or controlled-environment systems. Familiarity with basic statistics. Interest in space exploration, sustainability, or food systems. This work will be carried out in-person; therefore the intern must reside on or near the UMES campus during the entire internship period. Summer housing will be available through UMES Residence Life by prior arrangement, if desired. This project aims to recruit one intern. |
| MSU-1 | Title: Control System Integration into Advanced Thermal Energy Storage for Solar Energy Collectors, Electric Boat, and Space Rocket Applications Status: AVAILABLE Location: Morgan State University (MSU) Faculty Mentor: Dr. Seong Lee Additional Research Mentor: Dr. Sam Oludayo Alamu Project Description: This project aims to integrate advanced control systems into Thermal Energy Storage (TES) for solar energy collectors and receivers to enhance the efficiency and reliability of domestic heating systems, electric boat, and space rocket applications. TES plays a crucial role in solar energy by storing excess thermal energy during peak sunlight hours for later use when energy demand is high, or sunlight is insufficient. The project will focus on designing control algorithms that optimize the charge/discharge cycles of TES, regulate temperature, and improve energy transfer from solar collectors to storage devices. In space, thermal energy storage (TES) is primarily used to regulate spacecraft temperatures by storing excess heat during periods of high solar radiation and releasing it when needed during periods of low radiation, effectively acting as a "thermal battery" to maintain stable operating temperatures for instruments and systems, especially on missions with varying sunlight exposure; this is achieved through the use of phase change materials (PCMs) that absorb and release heat during their phase transitions between solid and liquid states. Key objectives include developing efficient control systems for TES integration with solar energy systems, implementing real-time data acquisition for monitoring temperature, energy flow, and system status, and simulating system behavior under different environmental conditions to improve overall performance and efficiency. Desired Skills: Intern participating in this project will need to have skills in sensor integration, real-time data acquisition, and control system design. They should be familiar with microcontrollers (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi) and data analysis, and hands-on experience on 3D modeling (e.g., SolidWorks, CAD software), and basic knowledge of instrumentation of DAQ components, electric circuit configurations, communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, or Modbus for data collection from TES components. Knowledge of energy systems, especially solar energy collectors and receivers, will be beneficial. Intern should also be proficient in software tools like Python for data analysis and simulation and understand control algorithms to optimize TES performance. Work Location: This position will involve in-person engagement with hands-on projects in the Center for Advanced Energy Systems and Environmental Control Technologies (CAESECT) Lab at Morgan State University. Therefore the ability to commute to campus on a daily basis is required. This project aims to recruit one intern. |
| UMCP-1 | Title: Developing a Neutral Buoyancy Simulator for a Mini Dexterous Servicing System Status: AVAILABLE Location: University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Akin Project Description: The University of Maryland Space Systems Laboratory is developing a miniature (100 kg) servicing system for assembling, repairing, and operating vehicles in space such as the Artemis Gateway station. This system will be designed to take the place of a spacesuited astronaut for working outside the habitat, and will incorporate 2-3 dexterous arms to grapple to the worksite and perform the servicing tasks. As an early development tool, the 2026 Space Grant interns will design posable mockups of the manipulators, fabricate them using 3D printing, and integrate them onto our EUCLID robot for underwater testing in the Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility. This will allow us to investigate arm configuration, mounting locations, and other design issues in parallel with the development of the dexterous arms themselves. Desired student skills: Enthusiasm is the primary requirement, but it would be preferable for the interns to have some familiarity with CAD software and/or 3D printing. We can accommodate almost any CAD software, so no specific CAD product knowledge is necessary. It would also be good for the intern candidates to be comfortable with hand tools for performing component assembly tasks. Work location: On-campus in the Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility at UMCP. If desired, on-campus summer housing can be arranged. This project aims to recruit one or two interns. |
| CTU-1 | Title: Rockoon Design and Prototyping Internship Status: AVAILABLE Location: Capitol Technology University (CTU) Faculty Mentor: Prof. Jeff Volosin Project Description: Interns will use systems engineering to evaluate the requirements and constraints of launching high power model rockets, from a weather balloon at ~100,000 feet. The goal of the project is to develop multiple concepts for the rocket design and operations and to prototype key technologies identified by the interns. The overall goal of the Cap Tech Rockoon effort is to establish a scientific platform that can accommodate science payloads from interested universities – providing them with access to the regime above where balloons can fly and below the Karman line. Interns will learn skills related to rocketry, including attitude stabilization methods for “thin” atmosphere flight and designing for maximum payload mass, as well as policy/regulatory skills (restrictions/approvals needed to launch rockets from weather balloons). This is a unique opportunity to enable exploration of an atmospheric regime that where few platforms can currently provide access. The stretch goal for this project would be to achieve a flight test of a prototype rocket/balloon (either tethered or free-flight). Prerequisites and Desired Qualifications: Interns should be aware of the systems engineering process and the SE tools that can be applied to doing these type of concept evaluation studies. Background in model rocketry and/or weather balloon payload development/operations, would be a benefit. Work Location: On campus at Cap Tech in the Astronautical and Space Engineering Fusion Lab. Although some work can be done remotely, the vast majority should be done on campus. If desired, summer housing can be arranged. This project aims to recruit one or two interns. |
| UMBC-1 | Title: Lithium Compatibility and Safety for Nuclear Fusion Systems Status: AVAILABLE Location: University of Maryland Baltimore County / University of Maryland College Park Faculty Mentor: Dr. Carlos Romero-Talamas Project Description: Lithium is considered a critical material for fusion energy production. The easiest fusion reaction to achieve is that where deuterium and tritium fuse to produce a neutron and helium in a thermonuclear plasma. Deuterium is stable and abundant everywhere on Earth, but tritium decays with a relatively short half life, and is a rare commodity. However, the neutron produced from deuterium-tritium fusion can be absorbed by lithium to create more tritium, thus making lithium a critical fuel for the first generation fusion systems. Additionally, lithium has relatively low melting point and vapor pressure, making it also a candidate as a plasma-facing material that can flow in vacuum and serve to remove heat from the reactor walls and avoid extreme erosion. However, pure lithium is a highly reactive material that is non-trivial to handle. The summer project will involve extensive scientific literature survey, basic chemistry, thermodynamics, and heat transfer calculations, and the basic design of an experiment to test the exposure to high power plasmas generated in the Centrifugal Mirror Fusion Experiment (CMFX) at College Park, and the ALPHA Bitter Magnet at UMBC. Prerequisites: Basic Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer. Basic knowledge of SolidWorks or similar CAD program. Additional Desired Skills: Knowledge of Ansys and COMSOL Multiphysics. Work Location: The primary work locations will be on campus at University of Maryland, Baltimore County and/or University of Maryland, College Park. Interns are expected to be on-site every day. Remote work is possible in the event of campus closure. Special Note: Applicants should disclose any medical condition or device (e.g. pacemaker) that may limit their access to high magnetic fields. We welcome all qualified applicants and will make every reasonable effort to accommodate those with particular conditions or disabilities. This project aims to recruit up to two interns. |
How to Apply
For full consideration, applications should be received by March 2, 2026. After that, offers will be made on a rolling basis until all positions are filled or mid-May, whichever is first.
Completing the application requires (1) current student information including contact information and GPA; (2) a PDF resume or CV; (3) a PDF “statement of interest” (one page or less) that should explain your goals for the internship and your overall career and why you are interested and would be a good fit for your selected projects; (4) contact information for one person who can provide a letter of recommendation; (5) your top three choices among the projects listed on this page.
Here is the link to the application page.
Stipend and Housing
MDSGC will provide a 10-week stipend of $8200 and in some cases may be able to assist interns in arranging housing near campus. Interns will be responsible for paying housing and transportation costs out of their stipend.
For general questions, please contact MDSGC.