Off-Campus Research Opportunities

American Bar Foundation Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program

This fellowship introduces undergraduate students to the rewards and demands of a research-oriented career in law and/or social science, as well as provides guidance about the many career options under the umbrella of the legal profession. Each Fellow will be assigned an ABF Research Professor who will involve the Fellow in his or her research project and act as a mentor during the Fellow’s tenure. In previous years, fellows have supported faculty members’ work by conducting archival research, creating literature reviews about minority groups in the legal profession, and coding qualitative data collected from interviews and newspaper reports.

Benefits: Stipend, and travel and housing expenses

Academic Levels: Freshmen, sophomores, juniors

Students must have completed at least their sophomore year and must have not received a bachelor’s degree by the time the fellowship begins. Applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.0.

National Deadline: February

Amgen Scholars Program

An Undergraduate Summer Research Program in Science and Biotechnology. Each summer hundreds of undergraduates step into some of the world’s premier research universities and institutions to participate in the Amgen Scholars Program. Students conduct hands-on research in the lab alongside top faculty, participate in seminars and networking events, and take part in symposia with their peers and leading scientists.

Benefits: Depending on the site, Scholars receive a stipend, room & board, and costs for travel.

Academic Levels: Sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors

Eligibility:

• A cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or above
• An interest in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D
• Certain U.S. locations require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

National Deadline: Varies by site, typically early February

CDC Lewis Scholars Program

Formerly known as the Center for Disease Control's Undergraduate Public Health Scholars (CUPS) Program, these programs provide internship and fellowship opportunities for qualified undergraduate and graduate students to gain meaningful experiences in public health settings. 

OHE is pleased to partner with the following institutions to deliver the Lewis Scholars Program:

• Columbia University
• Kennedy Krieger Institute
• Morehouse College
• Southern Plains Tribal Health Board
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University of Michigan
• University of Pittsburgh

The Lewis Scholars Program introduces undergraduate students to topics in minority health and health equity and supports their career development, typically during the summer. Each institution delivers a program with specific focus areas within public health and minority health. Some focus areas include maternal and child health, occupational health, social determinants of health, elimination of health disparities, environmental justice, and climate and health, and developmental disabilities.

Benefits:

• Stipend for room and board
• Travel to/from the host institution

Academic Levels: Sophomores, juniors, seniors, recent baccalaureate degree students, and graduate students.

National Deadline: January

Center for Khmer Studies Junior Resident Fellows Program

A six-week summer program in Cambodia for Cambodian, French, and US students to live and study alongside peers about contemporary Cambodian history and society.

The Junior Resident Fellows Program provides students from Cambodia, France, and the United States with a once-in-a-lifetime experience, allowing them to live and study alongside peers from different backgrounds and cultures while learning about contemporary Cambodian history and society.

Benefits: CKS covers the cost of tuition, accommodation (bed and breakfast), local transportation during program activities, books, study materials, and some field trip expenses, such as entrance fees to historical and cultural sites. CKS also has small program grants of between $600 and $800 available to offset the cost of international airfare, visas, and medical insurance. All other living and personal expenses will be incurred by the individual Fellows

Academic Levels: Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and potentially seniors (depending on the site)

Eligibility:

• US, French, and Cambodian citizens
• Undergraduate students and recent graduates
• Students with a good grasp of spoken and written English
• Students who are fully vaccinated and healthy for traveling
• Not older than 26 years old

National Deadline: March

Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U)

CGI U is looking for higher education student leaders who are committed to take action in their community to address a pressing challenge. We are looking for undergraduate and graduate students across the world who are motivated to make a positive change in the areas of education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation, and public health. 

Benefits: Students accepted into CGI U will participate in a year-round program that includes access to: high-touch mentorship; a social impact curriculum; funding streams; and student engagement events.

Academic Levels: All

Eligibility:

• Open to all

National Deadline: January

DAAD Research in Science and Engineering Grants

RISE stands for Research Internships in Science and Engineering. RISE Germany offers undergraduate students from North American, British and Irish universities the opportunity to complete a summer research internship at top German universities and research institutions. RISE Germany is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Students are matched with a host university or institute according to their area of interest (biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, engineering, or a closely related field)

Benefits:

• DAAD provides students a monthly stipend for three months to help cover living expenses.
• Participants are responsible for travel costs.

Location: Throughout Germany.

Eligibility: 

• Be currently enrolled at a university/college in the United States, Canada, the UK or Ireland as a full-time student in the field of biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences or engineering (or a closely related field)
• Be an undergraduate who will have completed at least 2 years of a degree program by the time of the internship placement
• Prove that you will maintain undergraduate status after the internship has taken place

German language skills are not required for most positions but would be helpful to manage everyday life outside of the laboratory. The working language will generally be English.

LMU Recipients:

2022:

• Halley Dante, '23 BS Biology
• Alexis Chun*, '23 BS Biology*

2020

• Leonardo Gonzalez-Smith*, '21 BS Biology

*Cancelled due to COVID-19 or declined by student.

Deadline: December

Donald Strauss Scholarship

The Donald Strauss Scholarship awards approximately 14 California college sophomores and juniors who reflect a strong, lifelong commitment to public service and education. LMU students have the opportunity to design a public service project. Projects may be local, domestic, or international in scope. The scholarship will provide you with up to $15,000 to fund your service project.

Benefits:

• Up to $7,000 can be applied to tuition and other educational costs.
• $8,000 is designated as a project grant to fund the student’s service project expenses.
  • Students may choose to add to their service project funds from the scholarship funds for a max project budget of $15,000.

Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors

Campus Deadline: February

Results Announced: April

Fulbright-MITACS Globalink to Canada

Fulbright-MITACS Globalink is intended for US Students interested in coming to Canada to undertake advanced research projects for 10 to 12 weeks (between May and August) in their area of interest. Projects will be drawn from a broad cross-section of research topics covering all academic disciplines. Students will be placed with a university research project and undertake research projects under the supervision of a professor. Students will be given the opportunity to take part in professional training and extensive opportunity for cultural, social, and recreational experiences.

Eligibility:

• Be a US citizen, registered and currently studying at an accredited university located in the United States 
• Be a full-time undergraduate student with one to three semesters remaining in their program after to returning from Canada
• Have a competitive grade point average
• Be able to spend 10 to 12 weeks in Canada between May and August

Benefits:

In addition to having access to a prestigious worldwide network of Fulbright and to Canada’s top research facilities you will also enjoy the following benefits:

• A chance to gain international experience in Canada
• A rewarding experience combining academic research at top Canadian universities, professional skills development workshops, and social activities
• The opportunity to connect with potential graduate supervisors should you be interested in returning to Canada for graduate studies with a Graduate Fellowship
• Total Grant of CAD $7000.00

National Deadline: September

Leadership Alliance Summer Research - Early Identification Program (SR-EIP)

The SR-EIP offers closely mentored research experiences in the life and physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities at 20 research institutions across the country. SR-EIP Participants...

• Spend 8–10 weeks at a Leadership Alliance institution.
• Receive a stipend, and travel and housing expenses from the research institution.
• Work under the guidance of a faculty or research mentor.
• Gain theoretical knowledge and practical training in academic research and scientific experimentation.
• Make oral or poster presentations at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium.
• Gain access to ongoing resources, mentoring, and professional networks to support your career path as a part of the Leadership Alliance community.
• Receive professional development mentoring on applying to graduate programs and learn about research careers from alumni.

Benefits: Stipend, and travel and housing expenses from the research institution

Academic Levels: Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and potentially seniors (depending on the site)

Eligibility:

• Be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Demonstrate a committed interest to pursue graduate study toward a PhD or MD-PhD.
• Have completed at least two semesters and have at least one semester remaining of their undergraduate education by the start of the summer program.
• Be a documented U.S. citizen or non-citizen national, or permanent resident in possession of an alien registration receipt card (I-551) or another legal document of such status at the time of application. International citizens studying in the United States with an F-1 Visa are not eligible for the SR-EIP. Individuals seeking asylum or refugees are not eligible.

National Deadline: February

Library of Congress Junior Fellows Summer Internship Program

The Library of Congress Junior Fellows Summer Intern Program enables undergraduate and graduate students to experience the integrated analog and digital collections and services of the world's largest, all-inclusive library. Working under the direction of Library curators and specialists in various divisions, fellows explore digital initiatives and increase access to the institution’s unparalleled collections and resources. Fellows are exposed to a broad spectrum of library work: copyright, preservation, reference, access, and information technology. In the past, summer fellows have identified hundreds of historical, literary, artistic, cinematic and musical gems representing the Library’s rich cultural, creative and intellectual assets. No previous experience is necessary, but fellowships are competitive and special skills or knowledge are usually desired. Selections are based on academic achievement, reference calls, and an interview with a selection official.

Benefits: Fellows receive a stipend, room & board, and costs for travel.

Academic Levels: All

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizenship 

National Deadline: December

Los Angeles County Arts Internship Program

Internships for nonprofit performing, presenting, film, media, literary, and municipal arts organizations and a companion program to the Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship Program, which provides internships to museums and visual arts organizations.

The purpose of the County’s program is to provide undergraduate students with meaningful on-the-job training and experience working in nonprofit arts organizations.

While not every position is researched-focused, students can use the keyword search to identify positions with research-related responsibilities. 

Benefits: Students receive a stipend.

Academic Levels: Freshman, sophomores, juniors, and graduating seniors

Eligibility:

• Eligible students may participate in the program once

National Deadline: Varies by position, April to May

MathILy-EST

An 8-week intensive summer research experience for exceptional first-year college students.

Have you excelled in inquiry-based learning classes? Did you spend your pre-college career studying mathematics for fun? Do you want to try research in mathematics, but are too early in your college career to have the formal prerequisites that most research programs require? If your answer to any of those questions is yes, then MathILy-EST is for you

Benefits: Students receive a stipend, room & board, and costs for travel.

Academic Levels: Freshmen/first-year students

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

National Deadline: March

Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) Program

Provides students with A 10-week summer experience to gain real-world, hands-on research experience with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy.

Benefits: Students receive a stipend, room & board, and costs for travel.

Academic Levels: Sophomores, juniors, non-graduating seniors, and graduate students

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizenship
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8.

National Deadline: January

National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) Summer Research Experiences

The National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, hosts a world-class research staff and unparalleled scientific research collections. NHRE summer internships pair undergraduates with museum scientists to complete a research project in Anthropology, Botany, Entomology, Invertebrate Zoology, Mineral Science, Paleobiology, or Vertebrate Zoology. Although the majority of time during the internship is spent working on the research project, there are additional events including lectures, tours of museum collections, and other activities related to natural history research.

The program runs for 10 weeks starting the day after Memorial Day.

Benefits: Participating students will receive a stipend of $6,500.

Academic Levels: Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and limited spots for graduating seniors.

Eligibility: U.S. citizens. Previous research experience is not required, and we encourage applications from minorities and members of other groups underrepresented in the sciences.

National Deadline: February

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Internship Program

Summer programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provide an opportunity to spend a summer working at the NIH side-by-side with some of the leading scientists in the world, in an environment devoted exclusively to biomedical research (At the NIH "biomedical research" includes everything from behavioral and social sciences, through biology and chemistry, to physics, mathematical modeling, computational biology, and biostatistics).

Internships generally cover a minimum of eight weeks, with students arriving at the NIH in June.

Benefits: Students receive a stipend, room & board, and costs for travel.

Academic Levels: All

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency

National Deadline: March 1

National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU)

The NSF REU summer program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation, including STEM and social sciences fields. 

Benefits: Depending on the site, students receive a stipend, room & board, and costs for travel.

Academic Levels: Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and potentially seniors (depending on the site)

Eligibility:

• Varies by site
• Certain U.S. locations require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

National Deadline: Varies by site, typically October through March

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE)

ORISE connects the most talented and diverse college students, recent graduates, postdocs, and faculty to STEM internship and fellowship programs closely aligned with the interests of a variety of research facilities, including those managed for the U.S. Department of Energy and more than a dozen other federal agencies. These STEM internship and fellowship programs are key to the recruitment and preparation of the next generation of our nation’s scientific workforce.

Find opportunities via Zintellect, a searchable database of research and non-research internships and fellowships administered by ORISE and its managing contractor, ORAU. Opportunities listed on Zintellect aim to strengthen the scientific and technical workforce in areas of science, transfer knowledge and technology to the academic community, and support to the national commitment to science education.

Benefits: Depending on the site, students receive a stipend, room & board, and costs for travel.

Academic Levels: Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, potentially seniors, and graduate students (depending on the site)

Eligibility:

• Varies by site
• Certain U.S. locations require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

National Deadline: Varies by site

Ralph Bunche Summer Institute Program (RBSI) 

An annual, intensive five-week program held at Duke University. It is designed to introduce to the world of doctoral study in political science to undergraduate students from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic groups or, those interested in broadening participation in political science and pursuing scholarship on issues affecting underrepresented groups or issues of tribal sovereignty and governance. Participants in the RBSI are drawn from a competitive national applicant pool. 

Benefits: Scholars receive a stipend, room & board, and costs for travel.

Academic Levels: Juniors

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or DACA status

National Deadline: January

Sens Research Foundation (SRF) Summer Scholars Program

Offers undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct biomedical research to combat diseases of aging, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s Disease. Under the guidance of a scientific mentor, each Summer Scholar is responsible for his or her own research project in such areas as genetic engineering and stem cell research. The Summer Scholars Program emphasizes development of both laboratory and communication skills to develop well-rounded future scientists, healthcare professionals, and policy makers. Students participating in the program will hone their writing skills via periodic reports, which are designed to emulate text scientists commonly must produce. At the end of the summer, students will have the opportunity to put all of their newly developed communication skills into practice at a student symposium.

Benefits: Students receive a stipend, room & board, and costs for travel.

Academic Levels: Freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and fifth year seniors

Eligibility:

• Enrollment in a U.S. university or college

National Deadline: January

UC Irvine’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 

UC Irvine’s SURF program offers undergraduate and master’s diversity students an opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects and provides an intense course of graduate preparation workshops. SURF is designed for students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. or M.F.A. degree and enter academic careers, provides the tools needed to facilitate application, admission, and enrollment to graduate school. The SURF program is open to virtually all academic fields at UC Irvine. Qualified students with interest in pursuing their graduate program at UC Irvine are especially encouraged to apply. 

Benefits: Stipend, and travel and housing expenses from the research institution.

Academic Levels: Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and potentially seniors 

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizens, permanent residents, AB540 eligible
• Juniors, seniors or master’s students interested in pursuing a Ph.D.
• Students who will be enrolled full-time at a college or university during the Spring and Fall 2021 terms
• Students with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average or better (on a 4 point scale)
• Students interested in attending UC Irvine for graduate studies
• Students from educationally disadvantaged or underserved backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply
• SURF is open to students in virtually all academic fields (e.g., arts, humanities, social sciences, social ecology, biological sciences, engineering, education, computer sciences, and physical sciences)
• International students are not eligible for SURF

National Deadline: February