Overview

This internship program is administered by BioKansas. Through our efforts, we provide a customizable experience for employers looking to recruit students interested in STEM careers.

In partnership with the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, this program offers students the opportunity to explore government careers.

cohort details

CohortApplications Open

Cohort Dates

Spring 2025Selections CompleteJanuary 13 – May 2
Summer 2025December 13 – February 21June 9 – August 8
Fall 2025March 1 – April 30September 1 – December 12

about this program

BioKansas, in partnership with the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), offers undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to explore government careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). BioKansas serves as the administrative arm of this program, while NBAF provides direct supervision and hands-on work experience at its state-of-the-art, high-security research facility.

NBAF is a newly constructed research facility specializing in transboundary and foreign animal disease research. As the facility is in its early operational phase, interns will gain valuable experience in their field of interest while also contributing to foundational tasks critical to the organization’s setup.

The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students, with a focus on individuals from underrepresented populations in STEM. Disciplines include biological and chemical sciences, engineering, animal sciences, computer and data science, and cybersecurity. Interns will work on-site at NBAF in Manhattan, Kansas. Cohorts are available during fall, spring, and summer, with no application fees required.

opportunities

Full-Time Internships: 40 hours/week; monthly stipend: $2,500-$3,060

Part-Time Internships: 20 hours/week; monthly stipend: $1.250-$1,530

 

Interns could be selected from the following units at NBAF, including:

  •  Animal Resource Unit
  •  Biologics Development Module
  •  BioRisk Management Unit
  •  Communications
  •  Cybersecurity
  •  Facilities Unit
  •  Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit
  •  Foreign Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit
  • Office of the Director
  • Quality Assurance
  • Safety, Health, and Environment Management Unit
  • Scientific IT
  • Systems Analyst
  • Zoonotic Emerging Disease Research Unit
Not all units have availability each application cycle,
 
Professional development seminars and networking opportunities will also be provided by BioKansas. Interns will receive free registration for Innovation Festival (August 12, 2025 at Overland Park Convention Center).

application process

The application requires:

  •  Demographic Information
  •  A short essay describing how your diverse lived experiences influence your leadership style
  •  An unofficial transcript
  •  A resume or CV
  •  A personal statement
Applications will be reviewed in the weeks following the application period. Offers will be extended in multiple rounds until all positions are filled. The number of positions available varies by cohort. Applicants not selected will be notified once all positions are filled. You may not hear about your application status for more than a month after submitting. 
 
If you have any questions during the application process, please contact Kendra Christman at kendra@biokansas.org.

faq

Who is eligible?

The internship is open to junior and senior undergraduate students and graduate students (associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s PhD, or VDM) from underrepresented populations in STEM. Applicants must have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies. Only U.S. Citizens are eligible due to clearance requirements.

Where is the internship located?

All cohorts are to report on-site at NBAF’s facilities in Manhattan, Kansas.

How many hours per week are required?

Interns work a full 20 hours per week for part-time roles or 40 hours per week for full-time roles. The total number of hours is not flexible. Work schedules can be coordinated with supervisors to accommodate classes and other commitments.

Can I work for my internship remotely?

At this time, we are not permitting remote internship work, however arrangements can be made for interns with certain extenuating circumstances.  

What are the costs?

There are no application fees. However, interns are responsible for their housing. BioKansas and NBAF staff do not coordinate housing for interns. However, applicants can contact BioKansas staff for some guidance. 

Can I apply if I graduate before the internship begins? 

Yes, graduating between the application submission and internship period does not affect your eligibility. 

What are underrepresented populations in STEM? 

These include women, individuals with disabilities, and those who identify as one or more of the following:

  • Black or African American
  • Latin American or Hispanic
  • Indigenous American
  • Citizen of an American Territory (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands)

What is needed to apply? 

  • Demographic Information
  • A short essay on leadership and lived experiences
  • An unofficial transcript
  • A resume or CV
  • A personal statement

Does the internship support the Military Career Skills Program? 

No, the internship is funded separately from the Military Career Skills Program, but applicants seeking opportunities through the Career Skills Program can contact Kendra Christman for guidance,

testimonials

About NBAF: National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas is the only large-animal, maximum-containment health laboratory in the U.S. with the mission to protect the U.S. against transboundary, emerging, and zoonotic diseases threatening our nation’s food supply, agricultural economy, and public health. This goal will be facilitated through research, vaccine development, diagnostic testing, and training researchers and veterinarians to respond to biothreats. When fully staffed and operational, NBAF expects to employ more than 400 individuals from various backgrounds and professions in a broad array of tightly coupled organizational units. Applicants should broadly be interested in biological and chemical sciences, engineering, animal sciences, computer and data science, and cyber security.