Summer Research Opportunities
While the chemistry program itself does not offer funded summer positions, this list includes some opportunities that we encourage students to pursue, whether for pay, research credit, or both. These opportunities are provided as a service to students, but individual students are responsible for seeking more information about each program and following the program’s deadlines. Please see your academic advisor for additional assistance with applying, like writing your resume and cover letter and seeking letters of recommendation.
NSF REU Summer Research
- National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates
- https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp
- Paid stipend, often with paid housing, meal plans, and travel
- Programs are throughout the US and are available in all STEM areas
- No application fee, applications open for most programs October-November and close January-March (check individual program for due dates)
- Highly competitive, recommended that you apply to multiple programs
- Application materials vary depending on the program, by typically include resume, transcript, statement of research interests and career goals, and three letters of recommendation
WV-INBRE Summer Research
- Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence
- http://www.wv-inbre.net/summerprogram/
- Paid stipend, housing and meals are the responsibility of the student
- Programs are at WVU or Marshall University and focus on biomedical areas like cancer, disease, and toxicology
- No application fee, application opens in October and is due in early February
- Program interns are required to present at the Summer Research Symposium in Morgantown in late July
- Application materials include transcripts, statement of research interests and career goals, list of four potential research mentors, and two letters of recommendation
NIH/NCI SIP Summer Internship
- National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute Summer Internship Program
- https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip
- Paid stipend, housing and meals are the responsibility of the student
- Programs are mostly at the Bethesda, MD, or Frederick, MD, sites but may be at other NIH/NCI locations throughout the US
- No application fee, application opens mid-November and closes March 1st
- Highly competitive, selection is by program PIs
- Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents and must pass a federal background check
- Application materials include resume, list of coursework and grades, cover letter of research interests and career goals, and the names and contact info of two references
SOARS Summer Research
- Shepherd Opportunities to Attract Research Students
- Application materials and information available from the dean or your STEM professors
- Paid stipend, housing and meals are the responsibility of the student
- Program is at Shepherd University and only available to Shepherd students
- No application fee, application generally opens in January and is due in February
- Limited opportunities available and are offered to all STEM majors, selection is by research mentor prior to application
- Applicants must present at a conference, generally the annual WVAS conference
- Application materials include transcripts, statement of research interests and career goals, and an evaluation form submitted by three professors
Other opportunities
- Students are welcome and encouraged to seek out paid or unpaid opportunities with chemical companies and government entities around the area or the area where they live
- In order to qualify for substitution of their capstone research, certain criteria must be met, such as a minimum of 160 hours in lab, lab work is actual research and not a job position, and research is able to be written up and presented publicly; please have the potential mentor contact the department chair directly to discuss qualifications
- Often it is best to start with an email “informational interview” rather than a “cold call” asking for a position – for more info on how to do this, please see your academic advisor or other faculty member