STEM Intern Partnership

The STEM Intern Partnership is administered by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST), a state agency supporting innovation and economic development in Oklahoma. It provides non-dilutive grant funding directly to private-sector Oklahoma companies to hire STEM student interns on technology-focused projects. The program sits under OCAST's broader mission and aligns with Oklahoma's 2021-2026 Science and Innovation Strategic Plan. OCAST awards up to $30,000 per year for up to two years per project. Companies must contribute a 1:1 cash match — every OCAST dollar is matched by company funds. FY26 accepted applications on three rolling deadlines: 10/31/2025, 01/31/2026, and 04/30/2026. Contracts start approximately one to two months after each deadline. The grant covers intern salaries, project supplies and materials, and travel directly tied to the project. Indirect costs — food, housing, computers, and general overhead — are not reimbursable. Eligibility requires the applicant to be a private sector enterprise with a permanent office in Oklahoma, registered with the Secretary of State to do business in the state. The project must address a need identified by the private sector company. Projects must target established or emerging technologies in aerospace/autonomous systems/defense, biotechnology/life sciences, or energy diversification. Interns must be currently enrolled CareerTech, undergraduate, or graduate students majoring in STEM disciplines. Students may be recruited from in-state or out-of-state institutions. To apply, companies register on the OCAST Funding Portal at https://funding.ocast.ok.gov/application-list and submit before one of the rolling deadlines. Applications are reviewed by external peer reviewers and go to the OSTRaD Board for approval. Companies must also register with the Oklahoma Secretary of State and the State Supplier Portal before funds can be transferred. Multiple applications per organization are allowed if each covers a unique project. Key caveats: applicants must register as an Oklahoma State Supplier before funds can be paid — OCAST cannot help with this process. Delinquent progress reports on prior awards may disqualify an organization or delay new contracts. The minimum intern salary rate is $18/hour per the NOFO. The program is recurring and typically runs multiple application windows per fiscal year.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.