Why participate in a summer research?

• It is a full-time position (6-12 weeks) that will boost your resume.

• You will earn money, and housing is included!

• Some programs provide allowances for meals, and related travel.

• You will meet new people, and expand your network.

• You will develop presentation experience by participating in a symposium.

• It will be a learning experience that will make academic year research easier and more productive.

• It is great for your career and professional development, and provides social opportunities as well. It will be a fun and fulfilling experience!

It will take some searching to find the perfect opportunity. Explore the helpful links below to start your search. You can also contact our undergraduate Peer Mentors or Dr. Tomalei Vess (tjv4@psu.edu) for assistance!

                                                     Paid at Penn State

Eberly College of Science Summer Undergraduate Research Program –

The Eberly College of Science Summer Undergraduate Research Program is a 10-week summer training program designed to give motivated Penn State undergraduates in the college the opportunity to engage in full-time (40 hrs/wk) research and related professional development activities.

Erickson Discovery Grant –

The Rodney A. Erickson Discovery Grant Program, named in honor of Penn State’s seventeenth President, supports undergraduate student engagement in original research, scholarship, and creative work under the direct supervision of a faculty member.

More than seventy Erickson Discovery Grants, each in the amount of $3,500, were awarded for summer 2019.

Student Engagement Network Grant –

Research has shown that engagement opportunities are transformative. Enabling every Penn State student to more expeditiously connect with life-changing engagement experiences significantly enhances the overall student experience. This better prepares them to regularly contribute to their local, national, and international communities in meaningful and impactful ways. A distinguishing feature of engagement at Penn State is a focus on student growth across five unique competencies: multicultural awareness, civic responsibility, ethical reasoning, systems thinking, and professional development.

Penn State REU’s –

NSF funds a large number of research opportunities for undergraduate students through its REU Sites program. An REU Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers. Students are granted stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel. Undergraduate students supported with NSF funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions.