Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences

blog posts

• Illinois Natural History Survey - Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Sponsored by the National Science Foundation (Summer 2024) (Application Deadline February 5, 2024)

  Nov 6, 2023 12:45 pm89 views

  The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program sponsored by the National Science Foundation supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the Foundation. The Illinois Natural History Survey (Prairie Research Institute) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking undergraduate students who want to be involved in an ongoing research project focused on the detection and characterization of phytoplasmas, a group of bacteria associated with insects (vectors, primarily Hemiptera) and plants (hosts) and implicated in plant disease.

• REU Understanding Coastal Ecosystems - From the Everglades to the Coral Reefs (summer 2024), Florida International University (Miami, FL; due Jan. 30)

  Dec 5, 2023 1:45 pm29 views

  The Coastal Ecosystems Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site program is a 10-week paid research fellowship located on the campuses of Florida International University in Miami, FL. This year's program runs from May 20, 2024 - July 26, 2024.

  The Research Theme of the REU Site is the ecology of coastal ecosystems across gradients of human impact.  Specifically, our research looks at coastal ecosystem ecology, water quality, and the connections among the Everglades wetlands, coastal mangrove forests, seagrass beds and shallow water coral reefs. Our goal is to detect the sources, transport and transformation of environmental stressors and the ecosystem responses under rapid changing climate and land-use.

  The summer research experience for undergraduates includes a stipend of $6000 plus a $1200 food allowance for successful completion of the full 10-week program, as well as roundtrip travel to Miami and campus housing. For summer 2024, research opportunities will be based on the Modesto A Maidique Campus in west Miami. 

• Summer Research Opportunities (SROP) (summer 2024), Big Ten Academic Alliance (various locations including Urbana-Champaign; due Feb. 10)

  Dec 6, 2023 3:30 pm34 views

  The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) is a gateway to graduate education at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities. The goal of the program aims to increase the number of underrepresented students who are pursuing graduate study and research careers. SROP helps prepare undergraduates for graduate study through intensive research experiences with faculty mentors and enrichment activities. 

• Aquatic Ecology & Fisheries Management Research Experience for Undergraduates (summer 2024 in Ohio; due Jan. 15)

  Dec 6, 2023 4:00 pm12 views

  The Aquatic Ecology & Fisheries Management Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program seeks to expand interest and enhance access to the fields of aquatic ecology and fisheries management.  

  Applicants do not need extensive experience in research or aquatic science to apply for and receive a spot in the program. We seek to enhance access to opportunities to conduct research in aquatic ecology or fisheries science for students from backgrounds that may have historically lacked connections to these fields. 

• NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program (summer 2024), Illinois Natural History Survey (Champaign, IL; due Feb. 5)

  Dec 7, 2023 11:00 am43 views

  The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program sponsored by the National Science Foundation supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the Foundation. The Illinois Natural History Survey (Prairie Research Institute) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking undergraduate students who want to be involved in an ongoing research project focused on the detection and characterization of phytoplasmas, a group of bacteria associated with insects (vectors, primarily Hemiptera) and plants (hosts) and implicated in plant disease.

  The focus of this project is to uncover the true diversity of phytoplasmas worldwide, reconstruct their evolutionary relationships, and document their associations with insects and plants by screening a large collection of insects preserved in a museum biorepository using modern DNA sequencing techniques and by revisioning large available literature.

• REU Ecology in Human Dominated Landscapes (summer 2024), Miami University (Oxford, OH; apply by March 2024)

  Dec 7, 2023 11:00 am7 views

  The Miami University Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) program in Ecology and Environment is a summer research program supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Our program is an exciting opportunity for 9-12 undergraduate students to actively engage in a 10-week collaborative research project. 

  • Each student focuses on an independent research project.
  • Research opportunities are available in the lab or field (aquatic or terrestrial environments).
  • Small groups of students and mentors form clusters that meet regularly to discuss current literature related to their projects. 
  • The summer includes field trips, short courses on ethics and professions in ecology and environmental science, and seminars by guest speakers.
  • Participants interact with students from diverse backgrounds and make connections with faculty and graduate students as they learn about Ecology and Environmental Science as a career.

• LAKES REU Internship (summer 2024), University of Wisconsin-Stout (Menomonie, WI; due Feb. 1)

  Dec 15, 2023 1:15 pm34 views

  The research focus of the LAKES REU program is in areas of sustainable watershed management, with aspects of social, economic, and environmental approaches incorporated into broader problems of sustainability and community. Students involved in the program will be mentored by faculty members having wide-ranging backgrounds in relevant research areas.

• Research Experiences for Undergraduates (summer 2024), The Morton Arboretum (Lisle, IL; due Feb. 2)

  Dec 18, 2023 8:45 am44 views

  The Center for Tree Science REU program offers a wide range of research experiences in evolutionary biology, forest ecology, conservation biology, tree root biology, urban forestry and tree care, computer modeling, and engineering solutions. Undergraduates applying for the 2024 program will have a chance to select and rank their top three projects from the list on the website. 

• Undergraduate Research Internships (summer 2024), Thomas More University (Crestview Hills, KY; due Feb. 9)

  Dec 18, 2023 9:00 am29 views

  The Thomas More University Biology Field Station, home of the Center for Ohio River Research & Education (CORRE), is offering 8 paid research internships for undergraduate students. These internships are in the fields of aquatic biology, conservation, ecology, and environmental science. Projects involve animal husbandry, bioassessments/biomonitoring, climate change, fisheries, harmful algal bloom monitoring and toxicology, among others.

  Time Period: Internships begin on June 1st and finish August 4th, 2024 with a break at the mid-point during the week of June 30th.

• NSF – Research Experience for Undergraduates (grassland ecosystem ecology; summer 2024), Arizona State University (Las Cruces, NM; due Jan. 21)

  Jan 10, 2024 4:00 pm8 views

  The Sala Lab at Arizona State University is looking for motivated undergraduate students to participate in research activities in grassland ecosystem ecology, for 10 weeks, during the summer of 2024. Successful applicants will work with peer students, faculty, graduate students, technicians, and postdocs to assist with ongoing rainfall manipulation experiments, vegetation and soil sampling, and other field surveys at the Jornada Experimental Range (~25 miles from Las Cruces, NM). Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to work with Sala Lab members and the PI to develop a personalized research project. Students can expect to conduct field work in summer weather conditions and live on-site at the Jornada Headquarters. Successful applicants will be awarded a stipend of $7,000, which is to cover food, travel, and personal project costs.

• REU Internship "Wetlands in a Modern World" (summer 2024), National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (East Alton, IL; due Feb. 16)

  Jan 19, 2024 3:00 pm6 views

  In this summer program students will employ a modern integrative approach to wetland science that makes use of recent technological and theoretical developments across the geochemical, biological, and physical sciences. Students will conduct research at NGRREC’s state-of-the-art field station in Alton, IL and local field sights situated at the confluence of the Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri rivers.  

• UTEP ROADS Post-Baccalaureate (one year research and mentoring), University of Texas at El Paso (El Paso, TX; due Mar. 1)

  Jan 23, 2024 3:15 pm9 views

  Research opportunities and access for diverse scientists (ROADS) is an NSF-funded RaMP (Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates) program that aims to provide the next generation of global change scientists with transformative research training and professional development - all while engaging them within a supportive academic network at the University of Texas at El Paso, which is a top tier minority-serving research institution (~80% Hispanic – reflecting the local population). 

  Applications for this immersive training program are open to recently graduated baccalaureate (post-bac) students who have received their degree within the past 4 years; or students who are completing their bachelors degree in Spring 2024 (Before May 30th 2024*). 

• Freshwater Summer Research Opportunity, University of Wisconsin (13 UW Institutions; open until filled)

  Jan 31, 2024 2:30 pm21 views

  Freshwater@UW is a mentored summer research program offering a range of research opportunities. Students will review, then select their top five projects during application. This year, we will offer at least 25 funded positions. 

• Marine Research Experience for Undergraduates (summer 2024), Maryland Sea Grant (Solomons or Cambridge, MD; due Feb. 13)

  Jan 31, 2024 2:30 pm21 views

  Maryland Sea Grant offers students the opportunity to conduct marine research on the Chesapeake Bay. During the 12-week program, each student works with a mentor on an individual research project. It’s a special opportunity to develop your research skills and interests by working with top science mentors studying America’s largest estuary. Housing provided.

• Tropical Ecology REU (summer 2024), NC State University (Puerto Rico; due Feb. 15)

  Jan 31, 2024 2:45 pm15 views

  Our summer program provides research experiences for undergraduate students in areas of ecology (streams, plant communities, soils) and evolution (plant-pollinator interactions). Transportation and housing included.

• RISE Summer Internship, CABBI (various universities including UIUC; due Feb. 20)

  Jan 31, 2024 3:30 pm16 views

  RISE (Research Internship in Sustainable Bioenergy) is a summer internship program offering bioenergy research opportunities for undergraduates from groups currently underrepresented in STEM.

  During the 10-week program, students gain experience in plant biology, agronomy, synthetic biology, genetics, environmental sciences, chemical engineering, and civil & environmental engineering. Successful applicants will be given a $6,000 stipend; housing and travel are provided.

• Paid Summer Research Opportunity, Department of NRES (Urbana, IL)

  Apr 5, 2024 12:00 pm60 views

  We are looking to recruit three undergraduate students as hourly workers to assist with the ForestGeo census of Trelease Woods this summer. 

• Organization of Fish and Wildlife Information Managers (OFWIM) Annual Conference and Student Research Scholarship Award

  May 6, 2024 11:30 am6 views

  OFWIM's Annual Conference will take place in early October in Arcadia, Missouri. Each year they award scholarships to two deserving local students to attend that year's and the next year's conferences and provide some research support.