Optional Internship

lab worker

QSB Students are able to participate in an optional Internship Program for up to 12 months.  Below are specific details for internship opportunities. 

  • Dates of Internship: September 1 – August 31st (possibly limited to March 31st for international students. Details are being clarified after changes to internship programs by the US government in August 2026).
  • Conditions of Internship:
    • International students:
      • the internship must be in a Northwestern University lab
      • the internship would be either unpaid or paid no more than $20hrs/week
      • the student’s I-20 would need to be valid throughout the internship period
    • US Citizens and green card holders:
      • Paid or unpaid tuition-free internships can be arranged in Northwestern research labs, or at non-Northwestern companies and research labs.
    • Academic lab, including student's thesis lab (subject to available opportunities)
    • Biotech industry (subject to available opportunities)
  • Cost:  Tuition is not charged during the internship
    • Note:  Internship students must be enrolled in an approved healthcare plan
  • Internship & OPT:  The internship does NOT reduce the 36-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) Authorization. 
    • Note on CPT:  In August 2026, the US government stopped approving CPT (Curricular Practical Training) work authorization for programs that do not require all students to complete internships. Therefore, the QSB program can no longer offer internships for international students using the CPT mechanism.