STEM Internship Program

A males student learns how to assemble computer parts during his internship

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Business Engagement

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) internship program provides grant awards to Iowa businesses to help them support and grow student internship opportunities in STEM fields with the goal of transitioning student interns to full-time employment in Iowa upon graduation.

  • Eligible employers may qualify for awards up to $50,000 per fiscal year.
  • Funds are paid out on a reimbursement basis. For every $2 of wages earned by the student intern during the designated internship period, $1 paid by the employer is matched by $1 from Iowa Workforce Development (up to $5,000 per intern).
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Who Qualifies?

Businesses

  • You are an Eligible Employer if:
    • Your company is an Iowa-based business with a significant employment presence in Iowa.
    • You pay intern(s) twice the minimum hourly wage or more (minimum $14.50/hour).
    • You offer internship(s) to students who meet the outlined eligibility requirements below.
    • Internships periods are designated as the summer and/or semesters.
      • Summer internship(s) is a minimum of eight weeks (averaging no less than 30 hours per week).
      • Semester internship(s) must last a minimum of 14 weeks (averaging no less than 10 hours per week).
      • Internships must be substantive experiences in an area closely related to the student intern’s STEM field.
  • You are an Ineligible Employer if:
    • Your business is engaged in retail sales.
    • Your business has or will apply to the Innovative Businesses Internship Program (871 IAC, Ch. 69) during the same fiscal year.

Interns

  • You are eligible to be an intern under this program if you are:
    • An undergraduate or graduate student at an Iowa community college, private college, or regent university.
    • An undergraduate or graduate student who graduated from an Iowa high school if attending an institution of higher learning outside of Iowa.
    • Within 1-2 years of graduation
    • Employed at an Iowa location.
    • You also must have a declared major in a STEM field.
      • STEM field includes all majors listed on the ACT-defined STEM majors and occupations by area list.
  • You are ineligible to be an intern under this program if:
    • You have not declared a major in a STEM field.
    • You recently graduated, are no longer a current student, or are more than two years from graduation.
    • You are an immediate family member of management employees or board members of the awarded employer.
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How Do I Apply?

  • The application period for FY 2026 grant awards is now closed. The next application cycle will open on July 1, 2026. Communications and updates about the STEM Internship Program will be posted to our website.
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Are You a Student in Need of an Internship? 

  • Log into IowaWORKS to browse internship job postings
  • Visit your local IowaWORKS Office to get connected to a wide array of career services.
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Resources

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Contact

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