Summer Off-Campus Research Opportunities

Summer Research Beyond UT

While The University of Tampa offers students opportunities to conduct research over the summer (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship- SURF), there are also plenty of summer programs hosted at other universities that may be of interest to UT students. Below is a partial list of summer research programs around the U.S. and the world. (see links below). These are highly competative programs! Applications submitted in the first two weeks of opening have a 3x higher chance of being accepted. Apply early!

Here are some tips (found throughout the internet) to help you land the summer research program of your choice:

• APPLY EARLY!!!
• Make sure your application package is complete. Most institutions require an application, an official transcript and two letters of recommendation. 
• Sample checklist with timeline for summer research projects.
• Applying for summer research programs with examples of two good statements and two bad.
• Potential reasons for non-acceptance into a summer program.

Students accepted into one of these programs are requested to notify the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry by emailing ouri@ut.edu.

If you find any broken links, please email ouri@ut.edu.

National Science Foundation Programs (NSF):
NSF funds many Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in a range of academic disciplines at sites across the country. Search here for a NSF REU site. New opportunities open all through the year.

Pathways to Science:
The Institute for Broadening Participation's(IBP) Pathways to Science project maintains programs in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

Oak Ridge National Labratory:
STEM- Science, Technology, Engineering or Math research experience with Oak Ridge National Laboratory's prestigious scientists and engineers (various cites).

National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program (NIH):
NIH provides internships to outstanding students interested in pursuing careers in the biomedical/biological sciences. This program opens mid-November.

Amgen Scholars U.S. Program:
Amgen provides hundreds of selected undergraduate students throughout the U.S. with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on research experience at many of the nation’s premier educational institutions for those students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D. Currently, thirteen institutions (Berkeley, Caltech, Columbia University Barnard, Duke, Harvard, John Hopkins, NIH, Stanford, UCLA, UCSF, UT Southwestern Medical, Washington University in St. Louis, and Yale) host the summer research programs. Most of these programs open on November 1st.

Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program:
The Leadership Alliance has encouraged students from traditionally underrepresented and underserved populations in the sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanitites to pursue research careers. This application opens on November 1st. Held in multiple institutions in the U.S. 

Big Ten Academic Alliance Summer Research Oppotunities Program (SROP):
The SROP is a gateway to graduate education at Big Ten Academic Alliance Universities (University of Illinois, University of Iowa, University of Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, University of Wisconsin, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, and Rutgers). The goal of the program is to increase the number of underrepresented students who pursue graduate study and research careers. SROP applications are accepted between November 1st and February 10th.

UCLA Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research (SPUR):
The UCLA Summer Programs (SPUR) offers upper division undergraduate students with outstanding academic potential the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects. The programs are designed for students who wish to learn more about the graduate school experience and possibly pursue an academic career in teaching and research. Opportunities are available in virtually all academic fields (e.g., arts, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, health sciences, physical sciences, etc.).

Boston University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF):
The SURF Program is open to non-BU students who are rising juniors or rising seniors, and wish to conduct research in the sciences or technology fields. The program consists of 10 weeks of full-time research in a Boston University lab, mentored by a BU faculty member. Applications will run from mid-December until March.

Mayo Clinic:The Nephrology and Urology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (nuSURF): nuSURF research training program exposes future biomedical and clinical scientists to investigative careers in academic nephrology, basic nephrology, and urologic sciences. Registration ends on Feb. 1.

Columbia Business School Summer Research Internship Program: 
This highly selective program provides 20 interns the opportunity to work with Columbia Business School's NYC faculty on a research project in finance, economics, marketing, management, decision sciences, operations, accounting or data analytics. Applications open November 2022.

The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) Washington DC:
TFAS's summer program provides students the opportunity to spend eight weeks earning 3-6 credits from George Mason University, complete an internship placement in their field of interest and live in furnished housing provided through George Washington University. Five program tracks are offered during the summer: public policy and economics, international affairs, journalism and communication, business and government relations, and leadership and the American presidency. Early registration starts December 2022.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Internship and Fellowships, Washington DC: The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is home to a broad spectrum of diverse opportunities for students and scholars interested in enriching their natural history pursuits through participation in academic programs, appointments, research visits, and formal affiliation. Whether interested in engaging with the public, contributing to the administration and operation of the museum, or pursuing scientific endeavors, through our academic opportunities we offer something for everyone.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Summer Internship Program, Washington DC and Chantilly, VA: Each year, positions are available in areas such as aviation or space history, planetary science, exhibits, communications, museum management, and education. Students from all fields of study are encouraged to apply. 

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Summer Scholars Program, Philadelphia, PA: The CRISSP has opportunities in basic, translational, clinical, and behavioral research available. Applications will open in December.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio: 
As a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) participant, you will meet students from all around the country who have come to Cincinnati for the summer to explore the possibility of a career in biomedical research. You’ll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in one of our cutting-edge laboratories, working under the supervision of our world-renowned research faculty and taking full advantage of the opportunities available in a professional research environment. Currently accepting applications until Feb 1st.

Drexel University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Philadelphia, PA:
Only students who reside within reasonable commuting distance to Philadelphia will be considered. Each student is assigned to work in a specific laboratory for the duration of the program, typically on a project unique to the research goals of that laboratory. Applicants must have an interest in pursuing biomedical research (i.e., PhD or MD/PhD) in graduate school and must be in good standing at their respective undergraduate institutions. 

US Department of Energy (DOE) Omni Technology Alliance Internship Program - Summer 2023, Washington DC: The program seeks to provide opportunities for students to participate in programs, projects and activities designed to secure the Nation's energy, scientific and nuclear technologies from malicious attackers. The Omni Technology Alliance Internship Program will begin on June 5, 2023, and end on Aug. 11, 2023. Summer interns will be expected to commit to full-time participation based on 40 hours per week, including a week-long culminating event in Washington, D.C., August 5-11, 2023. Registration is open now through Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.

Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), Seattle, Washington: SURP is designed to provide research experience and mentorship for students interested in biomedical research. Applications for the 2023 SURP will be available in mid-to-late November. Applications are due by midnight (PST) Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.

Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana: The Summer Research Program (SRP) at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center aims to increase the number of high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented populations pursuing biomedical and behavioral science careers by providing positive and meaningful first-hand exposure to these fields. Although most past participants have resided in the metropolitan Indianapolis area, the program accepts applications from students all across the United States. 

University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan: UM-SMART Undergrad Summer Research is designed for undergraduate students who have an interest in obtaining a combined MD/PhD degree leading to a career in academic medicine as a physician-scientist performing basic research relevant to human health and disease. The application for the UM-SMART program for summer 2023 will open on Nov. 1, 2022. The application deadline is Jan. 20, 2023. 

Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, NYC: The Summer Undergraduate Research Program for Underrepresented Scholars SURP4US runs for 10 weeks from June to August. It is a non-degree, non-credit undergraduate experience for juniors or seniors, from an underrepresented racial and or ethnic group, interested in pursuing careers as research scientists (future PhD and MD/PhD graduate applicants only). The application cycle opens annually on Oct. 1 and closes on Jan. 15 of the following year for enrollment in the following summer.

International Opportunities:

EuroScholars:
A unique research abroad program designed for advanced and talented undergraduate students from US and Canadian institutions looking for an international research experience. The aim of EuroScholars is to create a framework within which young talented researchers (international students) and senior European researchers can work together on academic research. Some of the sites include Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, etc.

School for International Training (SIT):
SIT programs are developed around a framework of the most critical global issues (CGIs) of the day. Our programs are interdisciplinary and appropriate for a variety of majors. Most programs address two CGIs within specific cultural and geographical contexts or comparatively across several countries and continents. New SIT programs for summer 2023 feature hip-hop in Ghana, diplomacy in South Africa and traditional medicine in Vietnam.

Think Swiss Summer Research Scholarship:
This program offers travel grants to U.S. and Canadian participants for several Swiss summer schools (Zurich, Bern, Lausanne). The participants will benefit from hands-on research, training and exposure to cutting-edge issues within a professional research community. Participants are selected by the respective summer school. Please apply directly to the individual program.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP):
UROP International is designed for students from North American universities who wish to gain research experience by conducting research projects at RWTH Aachen University, Germany. It takes place during a 10-week research summer school between the middle of May and the end of July.

Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE)- Germany:
RISE Germany offers summer research internships in Germany, in the fields of natural science, engineering and life sciences, for undergraduate students from North America, Great Britain and Ireland. In their internships, students are carefully matched with doctoral students and researchers, whom they assist, and who serve as their mentors. 

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS):
The CLS Program provides opportunities for American college and university students to study languages and cultures essential to America's engagement with the world. Each summer, American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities, spend eight to 10 weeks learning one of 14 languages at an intensive study abroad institute. The CLS Program is designed to promote rapid language gains and essential intercultural fluency in regions that are critical to U.S. national security and economic prosperity.