*Notes program affiliation with NMSU

Many Research Programs work with undergraduates interested in STEM research.  Click here for *NMSU Research Programs.

National Databases: all STEM fields

Gateway to Federal Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

Search the complete database for STEM research opportunities, internships, and awards funded by federal agencies.  Searchable by field, location, summer/annual, and more. 

Pathways to Science Database of National Opportunities in STEM

The national non-profit Institute for Broadening Participation (IBP) hosts a huge database of internships, scholarships, and summer research programs that is searchable by field, location, and more. 

National Science Foundation: Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

Many summer and some term-time research opportunities are funded by the NSF at sites around the country and some international locations.  In an REU, about 10 undergraduates work closely with faculty and other researchers on ongoing research projects.  Each student focuses on a specific research project.  Students receive stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel.  Undergraduate students supported with NSF funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. To find an opportunity, go to Search for an REU Site. You may search by keyword for particular research topics or locations.  Click on the links for the individual REU sites for information and application materials.  Undergraduate students who are citizens, nationals or permanent residents of the United States are eligible to apply. NSF does not have application materials and does not select student participants. A contact person and contact information is listed for each site. Several important summer REUs are coordinated by NMSU faculty!  

*NSF-REU on Immigration Policy and US-Mexico Border Communities

*NSF-REU BIG Data Analytics for Cyber-physical Systems

*NSF-REU Jornada Basin LTER

National Science Foundation: International Research Experiences for Students (IRES)

Through the IRES program, the NSF also offers international research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students.  Participants are mentored by researchers at labs outside the U.S., allowing them to build their professional network. IRES opportunities usually involve small groups of students who travel to a host institution for a summer-length research project.  Undergraduate or graduate students who are citizens, nationals or permanent residents of the United States are eligible to apply.

National Databases: specific interests

American Mathematics Association Opportunities Database

The AMS hosts a database of research and job opportunities for mathematicians at all levels, from pre-teachers and statisticians to dataminers and AI researchers.

Association of American Medical Colleges Opps Database

The AAMC posts a list of summer undergraduate research opportunities for undergraduates planning for a career in nursing, medicine, or medical research.

Cornell Biological Sciences Opportunities Database

Cornell's Biological Sciences website collects undergraduate opportunities for summer research and offers advice on how to find an internship or research opportunity in a field that interests you.  

Hutch Medical Opportunities Database

This catalog of internships collects nationwide opportunities relating to cancer care for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students interested in medicine, nursing, and related research, as well as graduate and first-year medical students.  The database is maintained by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Other Opportunities

Avian Migration Research Program 

Paid undergraduate research and agency internships are available in this USDA & NIFA-funded program studying bird migrations, which can help us understand the impacts of climate change and human actions on wildlife.  The Avian Migration Program focuses on preparing students for careers in applied conservation.  The program connects with a team of research mentors, summer internships with federal and state agencies, core courses that include a field component in Costa Rica, professional development and more. For more information, contact Dr. Tim Wright at wright@nmsu.edu.

Augusta University Summer STAR Program

The Summer STAR (Student Training And Research) Program is designed for undergraduate students who are interested in obtaining a PhD in biomedical sciences, nursing or biostatistics at Augusta University. STAR participants engage in hands-on research under the guidance of an AU faculty member and their research team. This level of experiential training provides Summer STARs with preparation, relevant knowledge, and practical skills needed to pursue a career in medical or nursing research.

CDC Injury Prevention Center Research

The CDC-funded multidisciplinary University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center offers paid summer research internships for graduate, medical school, and upper-level undergraduate students interested in injury prevention research or practice experiences. Each selected applicant will be provided a stipend. Depending on current working environment and preceptor needs, internships may be in-person or hybrid.   

Embry Riddle Interdisciplinary Aerospace Summer Research  

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University’s paid Interdisciplinary Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program provides total immersion into all aspects of laboratory work along with other enrichment activities. Applications are now open for undergraduates from any university, regardless of major. During the REU program, students will use leading-edge laboratories to conduct multidisciplinary research in aerospace engineering, chemistry and applied space biology with a goal of improving future space materials science and human diagnostic technology.  

Materials and Manufacturing for Clean Energy

The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office in Washington, DC, seeks year-round fellows to work in support of technical, programmatic, strategic, and policy efforts that will meet clean energy goals and drive innovation in U.S. manufacturing. Fellows will collaborate closely with AMMTO staff mentors, including several former Fellows, to develop a broad understanding of the potential of new technologies as well as the barriers to technology deployment. Fellowship includes stipends for work and relocation.  Have questions? Email DOE-RPP@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code [DOE-EERE-STP-AMMTO-2023-1000] for this opportunity in the subject line of your email.

MIT Summer Research Programs (MSRP)

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Summer Research Program - General (MSRP) seeks to promote the value of graduate education, to improve the research enterprise through increased diversity, and to prepare and recruit the best and brightest for graduate education at MIT. To this end, MIT offers summer programs for undergraduate students to spend a summer on MIT’s campus, working on research under the guidance of experienced MIT faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and advanced graduate students.  Students specifically interested in gaining research experience in Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Biology or Neuroscience, including Cognitive & Computational Neuroscience should apply directly to MSRP Bio/BCS.  Those interested in any other department should apply to MSRP General.  Applications open in November and close at dates in January.  Please visit http://mit.edu/msrp for eligibility criteria, frequently asked questions, and more information. To apply, go to the application website.

NCUR Undergraduate Research Conference (all fields)

The National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) promotes undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity in all fields of study through its annual conference for students. Unlike meetings of academic professional organizations, this gathering of student scholars welcomes presenters from all institutions of higher learning and from all disciplines. Through this annual conference, NCUR creates a unique environment for the celebration and promotion of undergraduate student achievement; provides models of exemplary research, scholarship, and creative activity; and helps to improve the state of undergraduate education. Each conference hosts 3,500 to 4,000 students from across the globe, presenting their research through posters, oral presentations, visual arts, and performances. Their faculty mentors also attend, often presenting or facilitating faculty/mentor networking sessions.  Propose a topic in the fall; conference in spring.

NSF-REU Advanced Manufacturing for a Sustainable Energy Future

This paid summer program is hosted at Boise State University by the Center for Advanced Energy Studies of Idaho National Laboratory (INL).  Students will work on projects related to advanced manufacturing in collaboration with university faculty and scientists from INL.  Research projects will leverage new capabilities in the CAES facility, including a state-of-the-art transmission electron microscope and a suite of instruments for advanced manufacturing of sensors and instrumentation for extreme environments. Women, first-generation college students, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and students historically under served in STEM are highly encouraged to apply.  For the complete list of projects and application, see the website.

*NSF-REU BIG Data Analytics for Cyber-physical Systems

The goal of this REU site initiative (BIGDatA- BIG Data Analytics for Cyber-physical Systems) is to inspire and prepare undergraduate students to pursue academic studies and careers in STEM with a focus on big data analytics for cyber-physical systems (CPS). The site’s research projects focus on equipping students with skills and knowledge related to big data analytics in CPS. The CPS will be exemplified by four main application areas: smart grids, wireless sensor networks, smart homes for the elderly and disabled, and disaster response. For more information, see the website at https://www.cs.nmsu.edu/reu/ . Contact: Dr. Huiping Cao, Department of Computer Science (hcao@cs.nmsu.edu) or Dr. Tuan Le, Department of Computer Science (tuanle@nmsu.edu).

NSF-REU Cellular and Bimolecular Machines Summer Internship

9-week, NSF-funded undergraduate research fellowship at the University of California, Merced.  The program offers research experience in biophysics, biochemistry & bioengineering, research & academic guidance and mentoring from CCBM faculty & graduate students, special CCBM sessions, lectures, and meetings, and training's and workshops with the UC Merced Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI) cohort.  To apply, go to the CCBM website.

NSF-REU Integrative Microbial and Plant Systems

Located at NC State, the Integrative Microbial and Plant Systems Undergraduate Research Experience focuses on basic and applied questions about plant-microbe interactions in the face of climate change and global food security hardships. NC State plant and microbial biologists work in the areas of sustainable foods, fuels and computer modeling for studying fundamental biological mechanisms. Four major research themes across these faculty are stress resilience, nutrient acquisition in plant and microbial systems, signaling in plant-microbe systems, and plant-microbiome modeling. During a 10-week summer program, students actively engage in a research project under the mentorship of a participating faculty member. Participants receive housing on campus, travel expenses when applicable, a food allowance and a stipend. 

*NSF-REU Jornada Basin LTER

Jornada Basin LTER was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study the causes and consequences of desertification through long-term research. The Jornada Basin LTER has funding to support a modest number of undergraduate research (JRN-REU) fellowships each summer. Students work with mentors associated with JRN-LTER or NMSU on research related to Jornada LTER research themes.  

NSF-REU Integrative Microbial and Plant Systems

Located at NC State, the Integrative Microbial and Plant Systems Undergraduate Research Experience focuses on basic and applied questions about plant-microbe interactions in the face of climate change and global food security hardships. NC State plant and microbial biologists work in the areas of sustainable foods, fuels and computer modeling for studying fundamental biological mechanisms. Four major research themes across these faculty are stress resilience, nutrient acquisition in plant and microbial systems, signaling in plant-microbe systems, and plant-microbiome modeling. During a 10-week summer program, students actively engage in a research project under the mentorship of a participating faculty member. Participants receive housing on campus, travel expenses when applicable, a food allowance and a stipend. 

NSF-REU Materials Science & Engineering

Emphasizing creative thinking and creative expression, this REU Site at the University of Missouri is designed to address the urgent need for innovation in materials research in the U.S. by filling a critical gap in workforce development in materials design and manufacture and addressing a national need for researchers who can solve complex, interconnected problems by training researchers to think creatively. Students in this program learn cutting-edge materials research approaches that include atomistic simulation, coarse-grain modeling, and a suite of materials design / fabrication / characterization techniques. This research will not only advance the science in each unique area, but will provide students with unique, measurable skills in computational modeling, materials science design, processing, characterization, and creative thinking. Students live in on-campus, air-conditioned housing (double rooms), and receive a meal plan, covered by the program. Summer interns also are provided with travel to and from Columbia, Missouri, and a stipend.  Application online.  

*NSF-REU Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge Field Station

The UNM Sevilleta Field Station hosts a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) for students in both Biology-Ecology (10) and Art (2). program trains undergraduate students who will conduct independent research under the guidance of faculty, staff researchers, and advanced graduate students in Biology, Ecology, Civil Engineering, and Earth and Planetary Sciences from University of New Mexico, New Mexico Tech, and New Mexico State Universities, along with scientists from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The summer program also includes training in computer programming and statistical analysis in R, and other workshops, seminars, and field trips.  Students will conduct independent research in and around the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and present their projects at the annual August symposium. 

NSF-REU Virtual Reality / Immersive 3D Visualization

Participants in this paid summer REU program at the City University of New York (CUNY) will receive training in virtual reality, immersive 3D visualization tools and technologies. Each student will be assigned to a team consisting of a research mentor and a REU student, to complete a hands-on project in creative VR/AR/MR and 3D Visualization. The mentoring team includes members not just from computer science but also from diverse backgrounds including film and media, journalism and biological sciences. Some of the planned research projects include: VR for aiding students with learning disabilities, MicroRNA (Ribonucleic Acid) as a regulator for cell lineage plasticity, immersive remote telepresence, indoor robot navigation along with 3D object identification, sonifying the microbiome, and VR for improving inter-personal skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) students. This experience will include excursions and social events. Students interested in the possibility of PhD, women, and others from underrepresented backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.  Past projects at https://wolex.com/reu/reu-projects/ .  To apply, go to https://wolex.com/reu/.

Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)

SACNAS exists to foster the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).  The organization offers opportunities for professional development and career networking, resources for researchers, and a national research conference for undergraduates in STEM.  The Scholars in Science: Native American Path Program (SSNAP) provides year-round mentorship, workshops, networks, and support for Native American undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in STEM. 

*S-STEM Program in Computer Science

The overarching goal of the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI) New Mexico STEM Scholars program is to help prepare academically talented low-income students to enter the computing workforce or advanced studies in computing disciplines.  The S-STEM program engages scholars in professional development activities, which will provide them with tools and mastery experiences to strengthen their preparation and effectively orient them in their academic trajectories. The CAHSI NM S-STEM scholars are financially supported and selected from among qualified students in computing degree programs.