History

SciTech was created in 2011 and launched in 2012 to address Minnesota’s STEM workforce needs. Since the first year of the program, SciTech helped 3,530 students find paid internships at small to mid-sized Minnesota companies.

For a majority of its lifespan, the SciTech Internship Program received funding from the State of Minnesota, providing internship access & career development support to college STEM majors, and talent sourcing & access to small business grants for small to mid-sized employers offering paid internships in industry.

Changes in legislation in 2025 marked the end of SciTech’s State-funded support and in 2026, the Minnesota Technology Association (MnTech) partnered with St. Olaf College and Carleton College to provide one final year of SciTech for participating STEM students and small employers.

As the program wraps up at the end of Summer 2026, the administrative team at MnTech and SciTech would like to thank our many partners and participants from the last 15 years. SciTech owes its legacy to you. 

Program Objectives

• Build Minnesota’s STEM workforce by providing hands-on learning opportunities to talented college students in dynamic Minnesota STEM industries.
• Increase participation of students underrepresented in STEM in paid internship opportunities (women and students of color)
• Keep talented STEM students in Minnesota after they graduate in order to strengthen and advance Minnesota’s knowledge-based economy.

Benefits

• Businesses receive a wage match for up to 50% of the intern’s wages ($2,500 max), providing a low-cost solution for small Minnesota companies that otherwise would not have access to qualified interns.
• Enables employers to find future employees, accelerate short-term business objectives and product development efforts, and revitalize an organization with fresh perspectives and specialized skill sets.
• Provides students with valuable insight into industry and the professional, hands-on experience necessary to secure a job their field after graduation.