2026 Research Experiences for Undergraduates Internship in Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association

For more than 100 years astronomers at the MMA have offered research opportunities in astronomy and astrophysics. This long-established undergraduate research program honors Maria Mitchell’s dedication to “learning by doing” and is recognized for its contribution to inspiring and training generations of astronomers, notably receiving the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. The mission of the MMA is to inspire people to experience Nantucket’s sky, land, and sea. Programs and facilities focus on astronomy, environmental education, ecological research, and historic preservation.

The Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) will host an 11-week program for the summer of 2026, offering research opportunities in astronomy and astrophysics on the island of Nantucket, MA. Six positions are available for qualified undergraduate astronomy and physics students through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program (note NSF/REU affiliation pending funding).

Students will work on projects guided by the MMA's Director of Astronomy and experienced affiliated astronomers, and present their results at the following winter meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). Projects include studies in all wavelength regions using data from a wide range of ground-based and space-based observatories. In addition all students have the opportunity to develop hands-on observational skills using the MMA’s 24-inch and 17-inch telescopes.  Students also have access to the observatory's extensive historical glass plate collection. 

Some current areas of research include:

• Studying Dust Around R Coronae Borealis Stars using IR data from the NEOWISE Satellite
• Formation Pathways of Giant Exoplanets with the TESS Satellite
• High Cadence Evolution of the Low-Luminosity Supernova 2024abfl
• Dusty, Old Supernovae in Archival JWST Observations
• Interacting Binary Stars and Transiting Exoplanet Candidates
• Physical Origins of the O’Connell Effect in Eclipsing Binary Systems
• X-ray emission from Single-Degenerate Ia SNe Magnetic Activity Cycles in Spotted Stars 

In addition to the core research experience, there will be regularly scheduled professional development programming, as well as public education and outreach opportunities that connect the astronomy interns to the community.

Nantucket Island is a resort community that swells to over 60,000 people in the summer. There are fifty miles of beaches and over half the land area is conservation land. The mission of the MMA is to inspire people to experience Nantucket’s sky, land, and sea. Programs and facilities focus on environmental education, ecological research, astronomy, and historic preservation.

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Eligibility

To be eligible applicants must be undergraduate students enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree.  Undergraduate student participants supported with NSF funds at REU Sites must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. permanent residents.

Compensation and Duration

In alignment with the REU program, this is a paid internship, and housing and travel reimbursement is provided.

This is an 11-week program that runs from June 1st to the week of August 17th, 2026 (end date can be flexible to accommodate academic schedules).  The total stipend is $7700. 

The MMA has dormitory-style housing available for interns to rent for $30 per week. Housing is located within walking distance to the town center and is a short bike ride to beautiful beaches, hiking trials, museums, and other great locations. If you live on campus, you will be expected to attend and participate all dorm cleaning days as part of your housing agreement. Please note that the dorm rooms are shared. Interns are not required to live in MMA provided housing, however, as Nantucket’s housing availability is notoriously limited and often expensive, we require our interns to provide proof of alternative housing before their internship begins.

Reimbursement for round trip travel between the student's home and Nantucket is available, as are funds to present research results at the 2027 January American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting. 

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This internship runs from June 1, 2026, to the week of August 17th, 2026. The end date may be flexible to accommodate academic schedules.

MMA NSF-REU Internship applications are due February 1, 2026, at 11pm EST. 

Completed applications consist of an essay, a resume/CV, and copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (unofficial transcripts are acceptable), as well as two letters of recommendation to be sent before the deadline.