Outside Summer Research Opportunities
If you’re interested in branching out beyond the Department of Natural Sciences for your summer research, there are many places you can explore. Broaden your scientific horizons at institutions and organizations all over the country.
Visit here if you want summer research opportunities at the Department of Natural Sciences.
How to Look for Research Opportunities
Search the Pathways to Science database for opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).Use these search terms: REU, SURP, SURF + [your area of interest] ]
- Research Experience for Undergraduates
- Summer Undergraduate Research Programs
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships
Get Funded
We have several funding options for summer research at external institutions and at the Department of Natural Sciences:
- Department of Natural Sciences Funds
- Faculty Funds
- Career Center Offices
Outside Research Involvement Tips
Ask your professors/adviser and fellow students for recommendations for outside research opportunities.
Email labs directly about your interest. Your professors or adviser can give feedback on your email drafts.
It’s ideal to ask for recommendation letters before winter break. However, you can contact your professors even if you see an interesting program late!
Applications are due approximately January–March
Research Opportunities at Other Institutions
Explore our directory of summer research opportunities related to pre-med, neuroscience, chemistry, biology, psychology, and more.
Program Name |
Field/Subject Focus |
2025 Application Timeframe/Deadlines |
| Amigos de las Americas | Environmental Analysis, Environmental Science | June–July, 2025 |
| Celiac Foundation | Pre-Med | |
| Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Summer Research Institute | Biomedical Research | November 2024–Feb 1, 2025 |
| Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | Molecular Biology, Genetics, Neuroscience, Plant Biology, Quantitative Biology | September–January, 2025 |
| Cornell/Sloan-Kettering Summer Program | Medical, Pre-Med, Biomedical Research, Academic Medicine | November–early February, 2025 |
| Cornell/Travelers Summer Research Fellowship Program | Pre-Med | November–early February, 2025 |
| DAAD Rise Internship Program | Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, Earth Science, Engineering | October–November 2024 |
| Future Physician Leaders | Pre-Med | March 15–April 15, 2025 |
| Hospital for Special Surgery Summer Internship | Sports Medicine, Pre-Med | February 15, 2025 |
| Indiana University Bloomington Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Animal Behavior | Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Behavioral Analysis | February 10, 2025 |
| International Service Learning | Global Health, Dentistry, Physical Therapy | |
| Irene and Eric Simon Brain Research Foundation | Neuroscience, Pre-Med | March 20, 2025 |
| Janelia Summer Undergraduate Research Program | Neuroscience, Physiology, Genetics, Machine Learning, Cell Biology, Structural Biology, Biochemistry | January 14, 2025 |
| John Hopkins University Summer Opportunities | Various | Varies |
| Mountain Lake Biological Station’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Field Research | Biology | February 20, 2025 |
| NIH Summer Research Program | Biomedical Research | February 19, 2025 |
| NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates | Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Analysis, Physics | January–March, 2025 |
| NYU Summer Undergraduate Research Program | Neuroscience | |
| Pathways to Science | Various | Varies |
| Psychology Internships | Psychology, Neuroscience | Varies |
| Rockefeller University Summer Research | Physical Sciences | February 1, 2025 |
| Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory Education Program | Biology | February 15, 2025 |
| Southwestern Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship | Pre-Med, Biomedical Research | February 1, 2025 |
| Swarthmore Summer Opportunities | Various | Varies |
| Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy | Pre-Med | February 1, 2025 |