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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer Research Internship Summer Program (CRISP) This program aims to increase the number of undergraduate students interested in pursuing clinical and research careers in cancer by providing positive and meaningful first-hand exposure to these fields. |
Medicine & Health | Anticipated 2/1/26 | |
| Amgen Scholars Program in Science and Biotechnology 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 | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |
| Dynamic Experiences in Neuroscience to Diversify Research Internship Training Exposures for Students (DENDRITES) This program aims to encourage and support the research and career development of students interested in basic, clinical, and translational neuroscience. |
Medicine & Health, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |
| Program for Research in Markets & Organizations (PRIMO) at Harvard Business School Harvard offers a 10-week summer opportunity for students interested in management and business research. A wide variety of research areas are available, including accounting, finance, marketing, technology and operations management, business-government relations, and entrepreneurship. |
Business & Economics, Social Sciences & Behavior | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |
| 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. |
Natural Sciences, Science & Technology | Summer | 2/1/26 |
| Indiana University Mathematics REU This REU immerses undergraduates in mathematics research through close collaboration with a faculty mentor and a small group of peers. Students explore challenging projects, attend faculty-led seminars, and culminate their experience by presenting written and oral reports of their results, all while living and learning together in a supportive campus community. |
Data Science, Science & Technology | Summer | 2/1/26 |
| 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 2/1/26 |
| Chemers Neustein Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF) This SURF program provides a unique opportunity for undergraduates to conduct laboratory research at The Rockefeller University in a broad range of scientific disciplines. |
Medicine & Health, Natural Sciences, Science & Technology | Summer | 2/1/26 |
| Amgen Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis This program offers students a summer laboratory experience in biomedical research. The program includes various professional and networking opportunities, with participants receiving stipends, housing, and travel support. |
Medicine & Health, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |
| Bioinspired Materials Research Science and Engineering Center REU Ten week summer research opportunity for students interested in materials science related research. |
Natural Sciences, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |
| Plant Genome and Programmable Plant Systems REU This program provides research experience to students interested in biological research, biological engineering, digital agriculture, and bioinformatics. Participants will work to develop novel technologies which improve the scientific understanding of plant systems. |
Agriculture & Food Sciences, Natural Sciences, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |
| University of Arizona Summer Research Institute (SRI) The Summer Research Institute (SRI) offers you an outstanding opportunity to learn how to conduct research, enjoy your summer, and prepare for graduate studies at The University of Arizona. |
Education, Humanities & Arts, Medicine & Health, Natural Sciences, Science & Technology, Social Sciences & Behavior | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |
| Center for Oldest Ice Exploration (COLDEX) REU During your COLDEX REU experience you will work with ice core scientists and researchers to answer questions that will help in our mission to find the oldest ice in Antarctica! |
Natural Sciences, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |
| Johns Hopkins Summer Internship Program (SIP) The Johns Hopkins SIP provides a summer research experience in biomedical and public health research. There are 11 different programs under the SIP umbrella ranging in topics from nanotechnology and genomics to health disparities among communities. |
Medicine & Health | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |
| MIT Haystack Observatory REU Haystack Observatory invites all interested undergraduate students to apply for our paid summer research positions in science, engineering, and computer science. |
Science & Technology | Summer | 2/1/26 |
| Nanotechnology for Biology and Bioengineering REU The Institute for NanoBioTechnology offers students a chance to participate in research projects in the exciting and rapidly growing area of nanobiotechnology, a place where biology, medicine, engineering, and nanoscience meet. |
Medicine & Health, Natural Sciences, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |
| 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 2/1/26 |
| Summer Training as Research Scholars Program (STaRS) STaRS is designed to promote access to graduate education for talented undergraduates from groups traditionally underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. STaRS provides scholars with the opportunity to participate in research and enhances the skills required for successful entrance and completion of a graduate program or an MD/PhD program in the biomedical sciences. |
Medicine & Health | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |
| Physics and Astronomy REU This program in physics and astronomy provides students with hands-on research experience alongside faculty mentors, workshops, and collaborative activities with other LSU summer programs. Students also gain additional professional development in areas such as ethics, intellectual property, and graduate school preparation. |
Natural Sciences, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |
| 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 2/1/26 |
| Precision Microbiome Engineering (PreMiEr) REU The REU program invites undergraduate and community college students into the labs of PreMiEr researchers at a variety of North Carolina Universities to perform cutting-edge research on various aspects of the microbiomes of the built environment. |
Natural Sciences, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |
| 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 2/1/26 |
| Plant Genomics REU at Michigan State University The Plant Genomics @ MSU REU Program is a 10-week research experience that provides participants with insight into scientific research, graduate school & STEM careers. Participants work on a research project with a faculty mentor. The program provides opportunities for training in computational biology & science communication. We host seminars, networking & social activities. |
Data Science, Natural Sciences, Science & Technology | Summer | 2/1/26 |
| Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURF-N) SURF-N provides a 10-week hands-on training opportunity to undergraduates interested in several disciplines of neuroscience such as obesity, addiction, neurotoxicity, development, and the study of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Along with gaining laboratory experience, students will participate in a poster presentation event, and present their individual research findings. |
Medicine & Health, Social Sciences & Behavior | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |
| AI and Machine Learning REU Students are invited to apply to participate in a research experience program focused on AI and machine learning. This program aims to change the perceptions of who can become an AI scientist or engineer, working to create a more inclusive AI future. |
Data Science, Science & Technology | Summer | Anticipated 2/1/26 |