Coast Guard launches $10K AI internship program for STEM students

The U.S. Coast Guard has partnered with NobleReach, a STEM education organization, to launch a 14-week AI and robotics internship program in Washington D.C., supporting the newly established Robotics and Autonomous Systems Program Executive Office. The fall 2025 program represents a strategic effort to integrate emerging technologies into national security operations while developing the next generation of defense-focused STEM talent.

What you should know: Five undergraduate and graduate students from AI, engineering, and science programs will work full-time on-site from September through December 2025.

• Students receive a $10,000 stipend and are eligible for university credit, subject to individual institution approval.
• The program targets real-world Coast Guard challenges across maritime security, environmental protection, and operational modernization.

Key focus areas: Interns will tackle three critical mission areas where AI and robotics can enhance Coast Guard operations.

• Search and rescue enhancement: Developing AI-based methods for object detection in maritime environments.
• Pollution response optimization: Assisting in the development of AI systems to assess oil spills and other environmental threats.
• Platform integration and data infusion: Analyzing current Coast Guard data and system integration challenges.

The bigger picture: This initiative reflects the Coast Guard’s broader push to modernize operations through advanced technology integration.

• Additional projects include data infrastructure development, AI/ML model support, large dataset management, and minimum viable products (MVP) development.
• If successful, the program will serve as a model for expanding STEM internship opportunities across federal agencies.

What they’re saying: Coast Guard leadership emphasizes the dual benefits of operational advancement and talent development.

• “The Coast Guard is harnessing the power of robotics and artificial intelligence to sharpen decision-making, accelerate operations, and modernize how we serve the Nation,” said Anthony Antognoli, Assistant Commandant and Program Executive Officer for Robotics and Autonomous Systems.
• “This program is about putting brilliant minds on the front lines of America’s security challenges,” said Linda Bixby, PhD., Executive Vice President for Academic Partnerships at NobleReach. “By pairing hands-on experience in AI and robotics with mentorship from the Coast Guard, we’re preparing a new generation of innovators who can think, build, and lead in service to the nation.”

Why this matters: The partnership addresses the critical intersection of national security modernization and STEM workforce development, potentially strengthening America’s technological edge in defense applications while providing students with hands-on experience in high-stakes problem-solving.