Research Internships 2025

Pending available funding, the U.S. National Arboretum’s Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit may have several internships available in areas such as molecular biology, plant pathology, plant breeding, horticulture, taxonomy, and production. Interns will work in Beltsville, MD; the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.; or in McMinnville, TN.

All interns participate in educational programs and field trips, work on independent projects that contribute to the research mission, and are supervised and mentored by the Arboretum’s professional staff. All internships are paid positions through an hourly wage or a stipend ($20/hr), depending on the position, and are generally three months in length. Housing is not provided.

We can also offer internships and mentoring as described above for qualified students who are able to provide their own funding. For most research internships, college credit may be possible if arranged in advance by the student, university mentor, and Arboretum staff.

Applicants should have at least 18 hours of relevant course work or one year of practical experience in a horticultural or laboratory setting. Attention to detail and the ability to follow directions and work independently are very important.