Summer Internship Program

The MIRA Summer Internship Program is an in-person astronomy research internship run by the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy (MIRA) for high school and college students. Interns spend ten weeks, four days a week, working one-on-one with MIRA's research astronomers on current research problems. Past topics have included star formation, asteroids, comets, stellar flares, and building astronomical instruments. Most work happens at the MIRA campus in Marina, California, and some nights may be spent observing with a 36-inch research telescope at the Oliver Observing Station on Chews Ridge. Dates are flexible, but interns must be available for at least 8-10 weeks, usually between May and August. The program fee is $3,000, which is waived for all Monterey County residents, and scholarships are available. MIRA does not provide housing.

Open to high school and college students with a background in high school science and math and an interest in physical science, engineering, or computer science. Most high school interns are juniors or seniors, though strong sophomores have also been accepted. Must be available at least 8-10 weeks in summer. To apply, students email an essay about their interest, a transcript, and a resume, and the strongest candidates are invited to interview. April 1 is the deadline for guaranteed consideration.