Taking part in a research internship during your undergraduate degree can be very beneficial to your career prospects after graduation. Particularly if you intend to continue for a PhD.
Generally students apply to take part in research internships in their second year onwards, but some are successful in finding a placement even during their first year of study.
Here is a small selection of summer research programs I would recommend to any undergraduate physics student.
Location: The California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Funding: Dependant on project/supervisor
Eligibility: Must be an enrolled student not currently in their final year of study
Duration: 10 Weeks
Location: The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) / LIGO Hanford / LIGO Livingston
Funding: For all successful applicants
Eligibility: Must be an enrolled student not currently in their final year of study
Duration: 10 Weeks
Location: Leiden Observatory, Leiden University
Funding: For all successful applicants
Eligibility: All students not enrolled in a PhD program (ESA projects have slightly stricter eligibility)
Duration: 10 Weeks
Location: Imperial College London
Funding: Dependant on project/supervisor
Eligibility: Must be an enrolled student at UK Higher Education Institution
Duration: Typically 6-10 Weeks, but potentially up to 12 months for non UK students (highly flexible)
Location: Oxford University
Funding: Dependant on project/supervisor
Eligibility: Enrolled student with right to work status in the UK
Duration: 8 Weeks
Note - Each subdepartment has their own webpage for these programs: