undergrad research

Additional Research Opportunities

On-Campus and Off-Campus (U.S. and International) Research Opportunities 

Off-Campus Summer Research Experiences for Undergrads (REUs) 

NSF

For information about REU opportunities on campuses across the country, go to: http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/

National Institutes of Health

NIH is offering training programs in the biomedical sciences for undergraduates. 

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Undergraduate Student Research Program offers undergraduates across the United States mentored internship experience at NASA Centers and research support facilities. 

Engineering International Experience Grant

The Engineering International Experience Grant offers summer support for Cornell Engineering undergraduates who have secured an international research experience that complements their academic experience and/or enhances their career goals. 

Cornell Tech Summer Research now funded through ELI grant program

Engineering undergraduates may apply through ELI’s undergraduate research grant program to engage in research with faculty members at the Cornell Tech campus. Students may explore faculty members and research areas at the Cornell Tech Summer Research page. These faculty at Cornell Tech have potential projects available for Summer 2023 and interested students should contact them directly:

Summer Research Opportunities Database 

Database of Summer Research Opportunities in the U.S. maintained by Cornell's Office of Undergraduate Biology.

Summer Research Opportunity - Soundscape Study

Opportunity for summer student research assistants to work on an ecoacoustics project aimed at characterizing the complexity of soundscapes in streams and adjacent terrestrial habitats that vary in land use. Positions based around Ithaca, NY with some planned travel to the Hudson Valley, NY. Full time positions (40 hours per week) for pay (or credit, if preferred). The research positions involve a combination of field and lab work, spending part time outside making sound recordings, and part time in the lab analyzing the structure of recordings and assisting in the development of a library of underwater and riparian sounds. Faculty mentors: Dr. Alex Flecker (https://fleckerlab.weebly.com/ ), Dept of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; and Dr. Aaron Rice (https://www.birds.cornell.edu/ccb/aaron-rice/ ), Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. 

To apply, please contact Dr. Alex Flecker (asf3@cornell.edu) and include: 1) a description of your interests, 2) course and research experience, 3) a resume with the names and contact information of two references, and 4) whether you have a driver’s license and are able to drive. 

See more information on the Soundscape Student Research Opportunity.

Undergraduate Jobs & Funding page maintained by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Visit the Lab of Ornithology webpage to learn more about finding research opportunities and where to look for undergraduate research jobs

Pathways to Science 

PathwaysToScience.org is an overview site and resource for finding both paid summer research programs and fully funded STEM graduate programs. 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Department of Energy Programs

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest U.S. Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. Application deadlines vary by program and a listing of opportunities and internships can be found on the ORNL website.

Roper Center for Public Opinion Research

The Roper Center for Public Opinion Research offers the Andrew Kohut Fellowship Program in Public Opinion & Survey Research. This fellowship is open to both graduate and undergraduate Cornell students. The fellowship provides a $4,000 stipend for the summer, allowing the recipients to engage in their own original public opinion-focused research project using data from the Roper Center archives. More information is available and found on the Roper Center website.

U.S. Army Research Laboratory Research Associateship Program (RAP)

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Research Associateship Program (RAP) offers the Journeyman Fellowship Program and additional summer student experiences for undergraduates, graduates students and recent postgraduates at the bachelor’s and master’s level to engage in research initiatives of their own choice, that are compatible with the interests of the government and will potentially contribute to the general effort of the ARL. Scientists and engineers at ARL help shape and execute the Army's program for meeting the challenge of developing technologies that will support Army forces in meeting future operational needs. Applications are open for Summer Student experiences.

ORISE Research Participation Programs: U.S. Department of Defense

The U.S. Department of Defense seeks individuals from the academic community to participate in DoD research projects. Application details available on website. 

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) depends on science, technology, and innovative engineering to carry out their mission of deterring war and protecting the security of the United States.  o ensure the robust supply of scientists and engineers to meet the DoD’s future science and technology needs, the ORISE program places individuals from the academic community (students, recent graduates, and faculty) in DoD research projects. The ORISE Research Participation Programs accept applications from students, recent graduates, and faculty researchers year round. Research appointments can vary from three months to one year and may be renewed for additional appointment terms. 

Technion International’s Summer Program in Entrepreneurship and Internship

Technion offers engineering students a tuition free chance to come to Technion for the summer program, May – August (including a research internship). The program consists of a 10-week unpaid academic research internship followed by a 4-week study period. The program also includes social activities and trips. More details are on the Technion website.  For credit transfer questions, please contact Engineering Advising at adv_engineering@cornell.edu.

Engineers for Exploration (E4E) Summer Research Program for Undergraduates

UC San Diego’s Engineers for Exploration Summer Research Program will host a full-time paid research experience from June 26, 2023 to September 1, 2023 in which students will work in multidisciplinary research teams to aid scientists from the San Diego Zoo, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, and UC San Diego in tackling problems in fields such as ecology, physical oceanography, and archeology. Through these projects, students can expect to learn about embedded systems and software, machine learning, electronics integration, mechanical design, system building, as well as project management and team leadership.

Applications are currently being accepted at https://e4e.ucsd.edu/apply through February 15, 2023.  Applications will continue to be accepted through March 30 if positions are not yet filled. Questions can be directed to Nathan Hui at nthui@eng.ucsd.edu.

Purdue University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 

SURF is a 10-week-long paid research opportunity for undergraduates enrolled in US universities. 
Purdue SURF application opens January 10th, 2023 - deadline is Feb 15, 2023.
Check out the Pathways Scholars cohort (priority deadline is Feb 1, 2023)

  • SURF Program Dates: May 22- Aug 2, 2023
  • Students receive a summer stipend of $6,000

Program area/highlights include research related to: decarbonization and renewable energy, energetic materials, semiconductor

STARS (Summer Training on Awareness and Readiness for Semiconductors) at Purdue 

The STARS (Summer Training on Awareness and Readiness for Semiconductors) Program is open to undergraduate students of all ages/majors. 2023 Program Details: May 15 – July 7th 2023; $10,000 per student covers stipend, lodging, and program operating fees.

On-Campus Research Experiences for Undergrads (REUs)

Bioacoustics Research Program at Cornell's Lab of Ornithology

The Bioacoustics Research Program's (BRP) mission is to collect and interpret sounds in nature by developing and applying innovative technologies across multiple ecological scales to inspire and inform conservation of wildlife and habitats. We conduct a broad range of terrestrial, aquatic, and marine bioacoustic research, often at large geographic scales. Many of our projects are applied, featuring a strong focus on the conservation of endangered species. More recently we have engaged in soundscape ecology research and the development of acoustic metrics to assess biodiversity and ecosystem health. We are also researching new ways to collect and analyze acoustic data sets using autonomous mobile systems and algorithm development. Undergraduates interested in research can find additional information.

Summer Research Opportunities in ECE for Freshmen

The Cornell School of Electrical and Computer Engineering announces the Cornell ECE Early Career Research Scholars Program. This program is designed for students between their freshmen and sophomore years in the College of Engineering who intend to major in ECE. Students will apply together with a faculty mentor. The application process and deadlines are the same as the Engineering Learning Initiatives' program: Student Grant Program. Contact Professor Farhan Rana with questions.

Cornell Office of Undergraduate Research

Summer research opportunity programs are designed to introduce undergraduates to leading scholars at the nation’s top research institutions. Participating undergraduates are engaged in graduate level research with faculty guidance over an eight- to- ten-week period in the summer. Funding is often provided. Applications are typically due in early January.