The Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity Database includes a list of primarily off-campus summer research opportunities available for undergraduate students.
Please note - This is not an exhaustive list of all summer opportunities. Though we actively manage and update this database, there are likely many opportunities, both on-campus and external, that our office has missed.
This database is maintained by the Illinois Office of Undergraduate Research. If you have any corrections, suggestions, or would like to add an opportunity to our database, please email ugresearch@illinois.edu.
How to use
Most students choose to filter by "Research Area" and leave the "Keywords" field blank. You can also search using keywords; however, we recommend the use of general keywords (broad search terms) for best results (e.g., "chemical" instead of "crinine and haemanthamine alkaloids".)
Press "Apply" to apply these filtering criteria and update the list of opportunities shown.
Block Reference
Search for opportunities
| Research Opportunity | Research Area | Opportunity Timing | Deadline Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molecular Biology and Genetics of Cell Signaling REU The Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program (MBG-REU), titled “Molecular Biology and Genetics of Cell Signaling”, aims to provide cutting edge summer research training experiences in the broadly defined area of cell signaling. |
Medicine & Health | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| Integration of Modern Optoelectronic Materials on Demand (IMOD) REU - Optoelectronics and Quantum Materials The IMOD Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program supports a select group of undergraduates, community college, and tribal college students to participate in authentic research in chemical synthesis of quantum photonic materials and integration printable electronic applications under the mentorship of world-class faculty and graduate students. |
Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| The Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) The Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) is a 10-week fully paid summer internship that provides undergraduates with mentored research experiences in life and physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and humanities. Students will receive professional development mentoring on applying to graduate programs and create an oral or poster presentation to be presented at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium. |
Education, Humanities & Arts, Medicine & Health, Natural Sciences, Science & Technology, Social Sciences & Behavior | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| The Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) Work with NASA's airborne science laboratories, gaining hands-on research experience in atmospheric chemistry, air quality, ecology, and ocean biology. Operate instruments onboard an aircraft, meet outstanding faculty, and present your findings at a symposium! |
Natural Sciences, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| Purdue University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) The Purdue University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program provides an action-oriented research experience for selected students to be introduced to the research tools used on the cutting edges of science, engineering, and technology. |
Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Through this program, outstanding undergrads interested in a career in biomedical research become fully immersed in the research and culture of a major medical center. |
Medicine & Health | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| University of Colorado SMART Program The SMART program aims to improve access to STEM research for students from groups that are underrepresented in science, math and engineering, including racial/ethnic minorities, first-generation college students, Pell grant recipients, individuals with disabilities, and students who have overcome significant challenges in pursuit of higher education. |
Medicine & Health, Natural Sciences, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| Amgen Scholars Program in Science and Biotechnology at UCLA Students interested in summer research in any area of biomedical science, chemistry, bioengineering or chemical engineering are encouraged to apply. Students will be paired with a UCLA faculty mentor if the student does not already have a mentor at UCLA. |
Medicine & Health, Natural Sciences, Science & Technology, Social Sciences & Behavior | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| Center for Sustainable Polymers Summer Research Program CSP participants aim to design, prepare, and implement polymers derived from renewable resources for a wide range of advanced applications, and to promote future economic development, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability in the emergent area of biobased products. |
Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| Research Intensive Summer Experience (RISE) at Rutgers RISE at Rutgers is a nationally acclaimed summer research program for undergraduates. This program allows students to participate in cutting-edge research in a variety of STEM-related fields and interdisciplinary areas under the guidance of a faculty mentor. |
Natural Sciences, Science & Technology, Social Sciences & Behavior | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| UT Southwestern Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) This program offers an immersive 10-week research experience for college students preparing for careers in biomedical research. Fellows gain hands-on lab experience, execute experiments, and present their research findings. |
Medicine & Health | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| Harvard-Amgen Scholars Program This program provides students with the opportunity to take part in institution research projects, gain hands-on lab experience and contribute to the advancement of science across disciplines related to human therapeutics, as well as biomedical and biotechnology fields. Students will participate in engaging scientific seminars, workshops, networking events, and receive support from faculty mentors. |
Medicine & Health, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| Integrating Biology from Molecules to Ecosystems REU This program offers hands-on research experience in cell, developmental, and evolutionary biology. With faculty guidance, participants engage in individual projects, attend tutorials, seminars, and professional development workshops, along with presentations and a mini-symposium. |
Natural Sciences | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| Amgen Scholars Program at Caltech Scholars in the program travel to the host institution to conduct a 10-week research project during the summer. Students collaborate with mentors to develop their own research topic which is presented in the form of a technical paper and an oral presentation at Seminar Day. Participants receive a stipend along with housing, board, and travel subsidies. |
Medicine & Health, Natural Sciences | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| Van Andel Institute Research Internship Program Van Andel Institute (VAI) offers a research internship program designed to provide undergraduate students the opportunity to work closely with a research mentor on a project exploring the cellular, molecular and genetic basis of human disease. The goal of this program is to introduce undergraduate students to the concepts and practice of design, implementation, interpretation and presentation of basic biomedical research. |
Medicine & Health | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| Summer Undergraduate Program in Engineering Research at Berkeley (SUPERB) - Artificial Intelligence for Engineering (AI4E) SUPERB-AI4E is REU in AI for Engineering, addressing challenges in machine learning, safety, and design unpredictability. |
Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 1/31/25 |
| Mechanistic Biology Summer Program (MBSP) Explore biology research through hands-on experience in cutting-edge laboratories, faculty seminars, workshops, and culminate your findings at a symposium! |
Medicine & Health, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/25 |
| Weather, Climate, and Society (WCS) REU This 9-week opportunity allows you to explore diverse topics, from hurricane decision-making to socioeconomic impacts, and benefit from mentorship, workshops, and hands-on training in social and physical research techniques. |
Natural Sciences, Social Sciences & Behavior | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/25 |
| Gates Summer Internship Program (GSIP) GSIP is an 11-week internship that supports the future of biomedical research through undergraduates pursuing careers in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Selected students work full-time in cutting-edge laboratories, attend seminars, engage in professional development, and present research projects. |
Medicine & Health, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/25 |
| Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) REU SETI allows students to explore a wide range of projects in astronomy, astrobiology, and planetary science with NASA scientists, engage in hands-on research, and present their findings at a national conference. |
Natural Sciences, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/25 |
| Undergraduate Student Scholars Program in the NIH Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases Students accepted to the Undergraduate Student Scholars Program in the NIH Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases at the University of Pennsylvania participate in research, attend summer lectures and presentations, and present their research at the end of the summer. |
Medicine & Health | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/25 |
| Research Fellowship Program at Presbyterian Historical Society Projects in all fields of study, including history, American studies, mission history, architecture, and ecumenism are invited. In accepting this grant, fellows agree to submit a report to the society within two months of their last visit. The society requests a copy of each final work for its holdings, and fellows are encouraged to adapt their research for publication in the Journal of Presbyterian History. |
Humanities & Arts | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/25 |
| Humanity in Action Fellowship This international fellowship provides undergraduates with the opportunity to explore issues of democracy, pluralism, human rights, and social justice in foreign provinces. Students will study academia, arts, and activism in any of the following capitals: Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Sarajevo, and Warsaw. |
Humanities & Arts | Summer | Anticipated 2/3/25 |
| Tree Science in the Anthropocene The Tree Science in the Anthropocene program uses trees as model systems to investigate questions related to evolution, ecology, conservation, and management in natural and built environments. Participate in a paid, intensive, 10-week summer program, with housing and travel provided, conducting an independent research project under the guidance of a research mentor. |
Natural Sciences, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 2/3/25 |
| Atmospheric & Geographic Sciences REU This REU pairs undergraduate students with research mentors at the University of Oklahoma to conduct research in a wide-ranging meteorology, climate, radar engineering, geography, environmental sustainability, and interdisciplinary topics. |
Natural Sciences, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 2/3/25 |