University of Illinois – Internship Opportunity

University of Illinois – College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

The application period for the North Central Watershed Internship Program is now open! 

The application deadline has been extended to December 14th, 11:59PM (CT) for consideration for our summer 2026 program. Partners/locations that will be hosting interns this year include South Dakota State University (in Aberdeen), University of Wisconsin (in Milwaukee), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Iowa State University, and University of Missouri. This is a paid internship with full-time hours during the summer of 2026, for 12 weeks. 

We will be participating in a webinar on Thursday Dec 4, 2025 from 6-7:30pm (CT). All interested students, faculty, staff, and administrators are welcome to attend. Register here: https://go.illinois.edu/2026REUInfoSession 

Please share this opportunity with your students and colleagues. The information below can be used to send via email or post on course websites. 

Applications Now Open!

The North Central Watershed Internship Program is now accepting applications for Summer 2026 (the deadline is Dec 14, 2025). Undergraduates from all types of institutions are encouraged to apply.

The North Central Watershed Internship Program is a multi-site 12-wk (May-Aug) full-time paid internship hosted at South Dakota State University (in Aberdeen), University of Wisconsin (in Milwaukee), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Iowa State University, and University of Missouri. Our program helps students from all backgrounds gain valuable experience that will help you pursue future careers in watershed management. 

We encourage applications from students with interests in water resource management, soil health, agriculture, nutrient management, lake and stream monitoring, weather and climate, forestry, or limnology.

To get an idea of what past participants have done, you can view their StoryMaps here. 

  • Program dates: exact dates vary by site: May-Aug
  • Financial support: exact stipend amount and availability of travel, housing, or food support varies by site.
  • Application deadline: December 14th, 11:59PM (CT)

Eligible students must be:

  • Citizens of the United States or permanent residents.
  • Enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) with at least 1-yr of college-level coursework completed and at least 1-semester of coursework left after the summer internship.
  • Available full-time during the program.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to Rachel Curry (rccurry@illinois.edu).

University of Nebraska Summer Research Program

We are currently accepting applications for the Nebraska Summer Research Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Our 10-week intensive undergraduate Summer Research Program provides a unique chance for students to delve into cutting-edge research within our state-of-the-art facilities while gaining a valuable preview of graduate school life at a Big Ten institution. The majority of our Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) are generously funded by organizations like the NSF, USDA, or NIFA, ensuring an enriching experience for participants. By joining, students not only enhance their academic resumes but also forge meaningful connections with faculty and peers. Engaging in social and professional development activities further contribute to a holistic experience, all complemented by amazing benefits.  

Rest assured, our commitment to quality mentoring is unwavering. Our summer offerings are carefully tailored to active research labs and projects led by faculty who have proven themselves as exceptional mentors for undergraduate students.   

Explore the Programs:  Applied Plant Systems, Beneficial Bacteria, Beneficial Insects, Biomedical Engineering Devices, Chemical Assembly, Crop-to-Food Innovation, Engineering Education Research, Nanotechnology, Plant Pathology, Quantum Materials, Redox Biology, Sustainability and Resilience in Rural Areas, and Virology.

Students can apply for up to three different research groups. Priority review of applications begins February 1, and all applications are due by Sunday, March 1, 2026. https://summerprogram.unl.edu/

We actively encourage applications from students historically underrepresented in graduate education. However, please be aware that, due to funding constraints, eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents (green card holders).   

U.S. Department of Energy’s Summer 2025 Undergraduate Internship Programs

U.S. Department of Energy logo

Discover Science: Applications Open for Summer 2025 Undergraduate Internships

An amazing opportunity — students and recent grads may apply to conduct research and technical projects at national laboratories

As the nation continues to build a diverse, clean-energy workforce, the Department of Energy (DOE) today announced that applications are being accepted for the Summer 2025 term of two undergraduate internship programs.

The Office of Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program and the Community College Internships (CCI) program are unique opportunities open to all current and recent college undergraduates. Interns will learn about science and technology careers, team science, networking, and gain the experience needed to transition from internship to employment.

The application deadline for both programs is January 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST. A number of workshops, an alumni panel, an online internship fair, and technical support will be available to applicants throughout the process.

Interns chosen will work directly with national laboratory scientists and engineers, assisting them on research or technology projects that support the DOE mission and address critical scientific challenges of importance to the nation, including global warming.  

SULI is open to full-time students attending 4-year institutions and community colleges or recent graduates within two years of receiving their bachelor’s degree or associate degree. CCI is for community college students. Both programs are stipend-based and offered three times annually in Fall, Spring, and Summer. Participants residing outside the commuting area are offered round-trip travel to and from the host lab, and financial assistance with lodging. 

Workshop Details

Three workshops are planned to provide strategies for submitting a compliant application and learning about the internship experience from the voices of CCI and SULI alumni.  

Two additional workshops will introduce the program and application process followed by a final workshop for review of the application process for each program.

In addition, a live alumni panel discussion will showcase the research opportunities and internship experiences of students who have taken part in the programs.  

  •  CCI application assistance workshop:  October 29, 2024, from 2:00 – 3:00 pm EST (register here)
  • SULI application assistance workshop: November 6, 2024, from 2:00 – 3:00 pm EST (register here)
  • CCI/SULI panel workshop:  December 3, 2024, from 2:00 – 3:00 pm EST (register here)