The NSF-INTERN program provides supplement funding on existing NSF awards, to support a graduate student internship in industry or a governmental agency, including national labs.
The program looks like it would work best for placing students into national labs or other governmental organizations where there is less concern about intellectual property (IP) than at a company (and where the university would probably be willing to waive all interest in IP).
- The INTERN program functions as a supplement for an existing NSF research award — hence it is applicable only to students whose advisor (or co-advisor) has NSF support,
- internships could be done during the summer, fall or spring,
- it is the responsibility of the student and advisor to identify a suitable host organization,
- the advisor then requests funding by submitting a supplemental proposal to NSF.
The NSF site provides full details.