Summer Research Opportunities

Overview of Opportunities for Current WSU Students

Looking for summer undergraduate research opportunities? Check out these resources listed below to find the research project that fits you best.

• NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU): the National Science Foundation maintains a database of the large number of research projects it funds through its Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. You can search the database by subject area to find and examine opportunities and learn about who you must contact to apply to the REU that interests you. NOTE: WSU hosts its own REU, USDA, and faculty-funded projects in summers; check with principle investigators if you are interested and feel you are eligible.
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): DOE provides research experiences at their laboratories through their Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program, which encourages undergraduate students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. Undergraduate students perform research on projects supporting the DOE mission under the guidance of laboratory staff scientists or engineers.
• NASA: NASA maintains a database of opportunities for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students primarily in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. However, opportunities for students in other disciplines are available.
• Amgen Scholars: Every year, the Amgen Scholars Program provides hundreds of selected undergraduates with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on research experience at many of the world’s premier educational institutions. To be eligible, you must be a sophomore, junior, or non-graduating senior, and have an interest in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D.
• Pathways to Science: this research opportunity posting board includes a database of paid summer research and internships for undergraduate students as well as helpful advice on how to find and apply to research programs.
• CIRRUS: CIRRUS is a map-enabled database that connects undergraduate students with research opportunities. Note: Though some of the research site listings are shown as having a deadline that has passed, be sure to check the program’s website through the link provided. In many cases, new research opportunities at the site are available.
• Professional Societies: Many professional societies provide funding for summer undergraduate research that may be instrumental in enabling you to work on a research project over the summer. Check the website of your professional society for funding opportunities that are available. An example is given below for the American Society for Microbiology.
  • The ASM Undergraduate Research Fellowship provides up to $4,000 for undergraduates to conduct full-time research at their home institution in summer 2018, while being mentored by an ASM faculty member. Fellows will receive up to $2,000 in travel funds to attend the 2019 Microbe Academy for Professional Development (MAPD) and present their research at ASM Microbe 2019.
  • The ASM Research Capstone Fellowship provides undergraduate, community college, post-baccalaureate, master’s, and senior-level doctoral students up to $2,000 to attend the 2018 Microbe Academy for Professional Development (MAPD) and ASM Microbe 2018, to network and build presentation skills.
• Work with a WSU research mentor: For many of the faculty and staff who are conducting research at WSU, summer is an especially productive time and there may be opportunities for you to work on their projects as an undergraduate researcher. Due to the complexity of how these opportunities can change from one semester to the next, the best place to start looking for them is your departmental office or website. Reminder: If you are already busy on projects with a mentor during the fall and/or spring semesters, be sure to ask if there are opportunities for you to remain involved over the summer session.

Learn More about Summer Research