Why should I participate in undergraduate research?

The Louis Stokes North Star STEM Alliance encourages all undergraduates to consider participating in undergraduate research. Hands-on research puts theory into practice as you work directly with faculty and graduate students on projects at the cutting edge of science.

How do I get involved in research?

There are a variety of ways to find research opportunities. A place to start is by talking with a faculty member. They can direct you to information on your campus. Many campuses have Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programs (UROP).  Smaller institutions often have faculty engaged in both teaching and research projects. Talk with them about what opportunities exist on campus.

Below is a list of many general and summer undergraduate research experience (REU) opportunities along with application deadlines.

LS-NSSA Research Programs

General Research Opportunities at The University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program UROP provides all University of Minnesota undergraduates, regardless of college, major, or discipline, the opportunity to partner with a faculty member on a research, scholarly, or creative project. UROP gives students a chance to explore academic and career interests, apply classroom learning to real-time research, and prepare for a career or graduate school while working closely with a faculty member. Students may work on a project of their own creation or take part in a faculty member’s existing project—application Deadline: March 17, 202,5 for Summer or Fall '25 Projects.

The International Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program The I-UROP Scholarship is designed to promote learning abroad opportunities to UMTC undergraduate students by providing critical funding to students enrolled in select credit-bearing learning abroad programs involving a research project. The learning abroad program must be a semester or academic year in length involving a minimum of 100 hours dedicated to research that occurs onsite. Application Deadline: March 15, 2025, for Summer 2025 Consideration, or May 1, 2025 for Fall 2025 Term Consideration. 

MN Futures Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program The MN Futures UROP provides opportunities for undergraduates to partner with a cross-disciplinary team of faculty members on one of the MN Futures research grants.  Application Deadline: There are no application deadlines for this program. Learn more about the GC UROP presentation dates and deadlines by clicking the link.

Undergraduate Research Scholarships The undergraduate research scholarship (URS) provides first and second-year students scholarship funding for participating in the research and creative work with faculty. Undergraduate Research Scholarships (URS) are awarded by the University Admissions Office to prospective freshmen as part of the admissions award package. 

Summer Research Opportunities at The University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

The McNair Scholars Program The goal of McNair Scholars is to give undergraduate students intensive, faculty-driven research experiences and prepare students for entry into and success in graduate school. Students pursuing STEM programs are strongly encouraged to apply.  Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025 cohort are now closed. Applications for the 2026 cohort will open in Fall 2025. *Note -- if your institution does not have a McNair Scholars program, you can apply to the one at the University of Minnesota.

For more information, visit: z.umn.edu/mcnair

ATP-BIO Research Experience for Undergraduate Students ATP-Bio is a large NSF-funded Engineering Research Center housed at the University of Minnesota. In addition to the scientific focus on the development of cryogenic cooling applications, ATP-Bio is developing STEM pathways to promote diversity in the STEM fields including partnerships with community colleges.

ATP-Bio would like to meet with you to discuss potential programming development for community college students and faculty, for example, bridging programs for students transferring to the University of Minnesota and professional development opportunities for faculty. The goal is for this programming to build on the strengths of existing programs and partnerships, as well as being responsive to the specific needs of community colleges. Please contact Seth Thompson (atp-bio-pgmgr@umn.edu) to learn more about ATP-Bio and schedule a meeting to help shape the development of ATP-Bio support for community college students and faculty.

In addition, ATP-Bio supports early research experiences for students through an REU program (Research Experience for Undergraduates). The ATP-Bio REU is a 10-week research internship targeting students nationwide, including community college students, who have not participated in prior research. Students will spend their summer doing cutting-edge research as they help advance cryopreservation technologies. Housing, lodging, and a stipend are provided and students will conduct research at either the University of Minnesota or Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. Application Deadline: March 10, 2025. Apply here!  

Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program The 2025 LSSURP Application is now OPEN! LSSURP has given students who have been underrepresented in the life sciences the experience and training that enhances their ability to pursue a research career. This represents a long-standing commitment to increasing the impact and quality of life science research at the University of Minnesota, which is strengthened when there is diversity in our faculty and students. Application Deadline: March 2025.

The Hormel Institute - Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Internship program at The Hormel Institute allows interns to conduct paid full-time work with scientists on biomedical research projects for 10 weeks. This helps students expand their knowledge of basic research and gain firsthand experience learning about equipment and techniques that are generally not available in undergraduate academic programs. The application deadline for 2025 has closed.  

Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology Research Experience for Undergraduates The Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, through support from the National Science Foundation, hosts a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program focused on Sustainable Nanotechnology. Selected participants will spend 10 weeks conducting research in collaboration with one more principal investigator of the Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology. Applications are now closed for Summer 2025. 

Research Experience for Undergraduates Program in Physics and Astrophysics Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is a 10-week summer outreach program that provides a working research environment for undergraduate students. Participants engage in research with faculty and staff of the School of Physics and Astronomy. Application Deadline: Applications for Summer 2025 are now open！

CFANS - Undergraduate Research and Extension Experiences (REEU) Summer Research Program The REEU program is designed to provide a transformative summer experience for ambitious and curious undergraduates interested in sustainable agriculture, food systems, and plant and soil science. This program is 10 weeks long and will run from June 3 - August 9, 2024, and is a full-time (40+ hours/week) research experience. There will be a $5000 stipend provided, along with room & board at The University of Minnesota's Pioneer Hall. Application Deadline: February 15, 2025.  

Pathways to Graduate School Summer Research Program Pathways at the University of Minnesota is an intensive 10-week summer program in which undergraduate students work full-time with a faculty mentor on a research project. The cohort-based program includes a series of seminars preparing students for graduate school and developing research skills. Application Deadline: March 3, 2025.

Cancer Disparities Internship The University of Minnesota Medical School Program in Health Disparities Research, in collaboration with the Masonic Cancer Center, invites eligible undergraduate students to apply for the 11th Annual Health Disparities & Cancer Research Summer Internship. This program is a paid, full-time internship designed to give undergraduate students from Minnesota's racial/ethnic minority and underrepresented communities experience conducting cancer and/or health disparities research. The program also provides students with opportunities to shadow clinicians at hospitals and clinics in the Twin Cities. Application Deadline: February 9, 2025.

CSP Summer Undergraduate Research Program The CSP will provide full-time research positions to undergraduate students during the summer – hosted at the University of Minnesota. The 2025 CSP Summer Research program will be conducted in person. Program structure and any modifications are subject to change. This program is open to undergraduate students in science and engineering majors, preferably chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science. Program participants must be US citizens or permanent residents. 

Program dates are June 2 - August 8, 2025, but can accommodate students whose semester/quarter-end dates overlap with the program start. 

The Pathways to Research Program (PReP) PReP provides an opportunity for students from populations underrepresented in research to begin or advance their research career. Opportunities for travel funds to participate in national and international scientific meetings are awarded on a competitive basis. Application Deadline: February 10, 2025. 

Summer Lando/NSF REU The Summer Lando/NSF REU is for outstanding national and international undergraduate students. It is designed to encourage students in the chemical sciences to learn more about chemistry research, and provide them with the opportunity to work in a lab under the direction of a faculty member. We offer a variety of professional and social events for participants throughout the summer. Application Deadline: February 3, 2025.

The Lillehei Heart Institute - Summer Research Program The LHI SRP offers annual summer research scholarships in basic science research related to cardiovascular disease. These highly competitive, prestigious scholarships are designed to expose highly qualified students to several disciplines within cardiovascular disease research and its clinical applications. Application Deadline: February 15, 2025.

SLAWR REU The Sustainable Land and Water Resources Research Experience for Undergraduates (SLAWR REU) is a summer program that explores the interactions between physical, natural, and social processes through the weaving of Indigenous knowledge with Western knowledge to advance scientific understanding and support tribal management decisions. With a focus on community-based participatory research and diverse interdisciplinary research teams, students learn the key elements of land and water resources that are essential to improving management practices. Fill out the SLAWR REU application form. The deadline has been extended to February 9, 2025.

Minnesota’s Discovery, Research, and InnoVation Economy  Through a collaboration between the North Star STEM Alliance and MnDRIVE, our students may participate in paid research internships with MnDRIVE researchers. MnDRIVE is Minnesota’s Discovery, Research, and InnoVation Economy, a partnership between the University of Minnesota and the State of Minnesota that aligns areas of research strength with the state’s key and emerging industries to address grand challenges. North Star students may apply for research in one of many research topics within three areas: Global Food Ventures, Environment, and Brain Conditions. Federal Executive Orders & Other Directives (January 2025) - RIO, SPA, and other University partners are monitoring newly issued EOs and federal communications that could affect federally supported projects and programs at UMN. See the most current guidance available:
z.umn.edu/fed-impacts

MRSEC Research Experiences for Undergraduates The University of Minnesota's Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) program provides summer undergraduate research opportunities in science and engineering. Visit their website for more information. Application Deadline: February 15, 2025.

Summer Research Opportunities at Other Institutions

Augsburg University's Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO) The Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO) connects students with both new and existing research and scholarship on campus, across the U.S., and internationally. Each summer over 30 Augsburg students participate in URGO’s 11-week research program on campus, while others pursue research opportunities off campus at institutions such as Harvard, Mayo Clinic, and the University of Minnesota. 

Center for Aerosol Impacts on Chemistry of the Environment Summer The Center for Aerosol Impacts on Chemistry of the Environment (CAICE) focuses on improving our understanding of how aerosol particles influence the environment, air quality, and climate. Students have the chance to choose from CAICE labs located across the U.S. where they can conduct exciting hands-on scientific research, receive graduate school preparation, and attend field trips. Application Deadline: Now Closed.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURE) @ The University of Wisconsin-Madison With the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, participants will spend 10 weeks conducting laboratory research in an area of engineering or the physical sciences. Students are exposed to other research available on campus through weekly meetings and faculty seminars, and participate in social activities with current graduate students. After the program, students submit their research papers and present their research in an interdisciplinary poster session. Application Deadline: February 15, 2025.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURE) @ Georgia Tech This is a 10-week summer research program offered at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA. This program is for rising juniors and rising seniors from any U.S.-based college or university in a STEM field. Application Deadline: February 15, 2025.

NSF - Interdisciplinary Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program in Nanotechnology and Biomedicine The REU program will provide an interdisciplinary research experience at the interface of nanotechnology and biomedicine to undergraduate students from other institutions, leveraging the diverse interdisciplinary expertise, resources, and training opportunities in this area. The program will bring participants recruited nationally to the University of Georgia (UGA) campus for 10 weeks in the summer. 

Students will participate in interdisciplinary research projects that apply nanotechnology to specific biomedical questions. Each REU student will be co-mentored by paired faculty from the nanotechnology and biomedical disciplines on a collaborative research project. Individual posters will be completed, and there will be a poster session after the 10-week program. Work with the faculty mentors can continue during the coming academic year and eventually result in a publishable work. Application Deadline: February 18, 2025, by 5 pm.

The Amgen Scholars Program National program to increase research opportunities for students committed to pursuing careers in the sciences. Application Deadline: February 3, 2025.

Interactive Biomaterials REU Program Collaborative research on the campuses of Syracuse University, Upstate Medical University, and SUNY ESF for students majoring in science or engineering. Currently not accepting applications for 2025. Stay tuned for more information!

Integrated Bioengineering REU - NSF @ Worcester Polytechnic Institute  The WPI REU Site in Bioengineering research offers students an opportunity to join one of many interdisciplinary research teams for a summer research project. Examples of the types of research projects REU participants will pursue include tissue engineering, disease modeling, wound healing, and low-cost medical devices. In addition to carrying out cutting-edge research, REU participants will attend weekly professional development seminars and workshops. Application Deadline: February 1, 2025 (rolling applications) 

Opportunities at National Laboratories

Explore internships and research funding opportunities. Some programs are for the summer only, but there are also semester and year-round options.

Federally Funded REU Opportunities

  • NSF has a directory of Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) available Students should go to this link and then apply directly to the REU Site, not to NSF. Application deadlines are dependent on specific opportunities. 
  • Pathways to Science Over 800 programs (including oceans sciences and engineering) – REU, NASA, and other paid summer research opportunities for undergrads available through Pathways to Science. Also, resources on graduate school, webinars for community college students transferring to four-year institutions, and more. Application deadlines are dependent on specific opportunities. 
  • Oak Ridge Institute For Science and Education Are you an undergraduate student currently pursuing a bachelor's degree and looking for an opportunity to enhance your education. in a STEM-related discipline? The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education administers a variety of STEM internship and fellowship programs for undergraduate students at national laboratories and federal research facilities across the United States. Application deadlines are dependent on specific opportunities.   
  • Nebraska Summer Research Program Offers research opportunities in Applied Mathematics, Biochemistry, Bioenergy Systems, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Microbiology, Minority Health Disparities, Nanotechnology, Optics and Laser Physics, Redox Biology, and Virology. Application Deadline: March 1, 2024. 

Summer Research at NIH

Regional Opportunities

  • BIG Ten Academic Alliance - Summer Research Opportunities (SROP) - The consortium of Big Ten member institutions plus the University of Chicago, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Nebraska sponsor undergraduate research experiences for students from around the nation.  Interested students can apply to any of the host institutions with one application. Application deadlines are dependent on specific opportunities.  
  • Mayo Clinic - Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) The Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers a 10-week Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) experience for undergraduates wanting to build their skills as young scientists. As a summer fellow, you will be immersed in research opportunities. You'll gain valuable experience in the lab and work closely with your mentor on a research project designed specifically for summer students. Application Deadline: February 3, 2025. 

Internship Opportunities

  • Urban Scholars Leadership and Professional Development Program Urban Scholars is a leadership and professional development internship program providing students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds with distinctive professional experience. Focused on essential leadership skills and creating resume-building career pathways, Urban Scholars is training the next generation of leaders. Urban Scholars applications for Summer 2025 will be open from February 17 through March 17, 2025.
  • Long-Term Ecological Research Plant Community Ecology Internships The Cedar Creek Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTER) has several opportunities for students to work as plant community ecology interns. As a research intern, you will contribute to ongoing field experiments, may have the opportunity to initiate individual research, attend scientific seminars, and interact with professors, post-docs, and graduate students. Application deadlines are dependent on specific opportunities.