KGS 2026 summer internship opportunity, application open
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 15, 2026) —The Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) is accepting applications for the 2026 Paul Edwin Potter Internship Program, a paid summer research opportunity for students interested in geology, geoscience and related fields.
The 10-week program will run from May 18 to June 29. Applications are due Feb. 8 and interviews will be scheduled immediately thereafter. Selected applicants will receive offer letters the week of March 9.
Interns will join a research team conducting field studies at Floracliff Nature Preserve in southern Fayette County. Participants will develop and complete individual research projects in areas such as watershed water budgets and flood modeling, stream monitoring, floodplain trenching, geochemical and microscopic analyses of stream deposits, drone-based surveying of a precipitation-induced landslide and investigating links between biological activity, soil disturbance and hydrology.
KGS mentors will guide the interns through the 10-week program. In addition to hands-on research, the program includes a professional development curriculum featuring weekly discussion groups, field training and mock job interviews. The program culminates with the Paul Edwin Potter Internship Showcase, where interns give a final presentation and research poster.
KGS encourages applications from students with varied academic backgrounds who meet the eligibility requirements.
Students interested in applying or learning can learn more here.
Questions about the program may be directed to KGSPotter@uky.edu.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.