These are established programs that provide paid opportunities to conduct biologically-related research, and typically involve an individual research project. They are listed in chronological order by posting date. You can also browse the National Science Foundation REU Programs by topic and location.
UVM students can earn credits for qualifying internship experiences, whether during the academic year or in Summer. These are organized through a student’s college or department: College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS), Rubenstein School for the Environment & Natural Resources (RSENR). CAS’s Summer Internship Scholarship Program can provide students with up to $3,000 to help cover their food, rent, transportation, and/or other living expenses while doing an internship.
Summer 2026
4/29 – Wyoming toad crew leader position
Background: The Wyoming toad (Anaxyrus baxteri) is a critically endangered species endemic to the Laramie Basin. The species was abundant in the 1950’s and 1960’s but began declining in the 1970’s until the last known individuals were brought into captivity in the 1990’s to establish a captive breeding program. Individuals from the captive breeding program have been reintroduced into the wild, but self-sustaining breeding populations have not been reestablished. Research and monitoring is being conducted to assess progress the status of wild populations, including the effects of vegetation treatments.
Location: This position is based out of Laramie, Wyoming. Field work will occur at Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge (approximately 15 miles southwest of Laramie) and several Safe Harbor reintroductions sites within the Laramie Basin.
Description: Crew leader to assist with regular field duties including:
- Building and installing soft-release enclosures for tadpoles and adults
- Disease exposure and treatment of adult animals
- Daily feeding of tadpoles and adults.
- Release and subsequent monitoring of adult toads
- Regular surveys for non-captive Wyoming toads
- Swabbing of toads for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd)
- Growth and maintenance of cultured Bd.
- Data entry
- General support of Wyoming toad species recovery
- Work with USFWS on other Wyoming toad tasks as needed
- Communicate with Wyoming toad recovery partners and cooperating land owners
- Other activities as needed
Qualifications: Qualified applicants will have the willingness and ability to work long hours (including weekends and holidays) and be flexible with their schedule, as work hours will be determined by animal needs. Applicants must also be able to tolerate harsh field conditions (heat/cold, wind, rain, biting insects, mud, etc. although home to a warm bed at night!), pay extreme attention to detail, and meet high standards of animal care. Interest in the research, a strong work ethic, and the ability to conduct meticulous data collection for the recovery of an endangered species are most important. Priority will be given to individuals currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an ecology, wildlife biology, or related program with past field experience. Qualified applicants need a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and ability to lift up to 40 lbs. Ability to work independently, coordinating multiple job components, previous amphibian field experience and animal care, evidence of managing employees, organizational skills, ability to communicate with partners, and completion of a degree in wildlife biology or related field are preferred.
Compensation: We will be hiring 1 crew leader to work w 2 regular crew plus other collaborator’s technicians. $16-20/hr (depending on experience and education) and provided with a shared field vehicle. Person will gain valuable field experience while contributing to the recovery of a critically endangered amphibian. Housing is not provided, but we can assist in finding summer housing in Laramie.
Duration: The position will start mid/end-May and continue through mid-August (start and end dates may be flexible for highly qualified applicants and the field season may be adjusted due to weather conditions, 12-24 weeks of funding).
To Apply: Submit a letter of interest with dates of availability, CV, and contact information (name, email, phone number) for three references in a single PDF to Dr. Melanie Murphy (melanie.murphy@uwyo.edu). Review of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Questions about the positions can be directed to Dr. Melanie Murphy (melanie.murphy@uwyo.edu).
4/9 – Internships at the Memphis Zoo – TN
Herpetology, Endocrinology, Molecular Bio, Reproduction, and more! www.memphiszoo.org/careers
3/25 – REU Opportunity Remote Sensing of Ash Tree Health – IN
The Swenson Lab (www.swensonlab.com) at the University of Notre Dame has an open research experience for undergraduates position. The undergraduate student will work with Ph.D. student Alex Cox on a project investigating the responses of ash trees to emerald ash borer at the University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center (UNDERC)(https://underc.nd.edu) in northern Wisconsin. The student will learn how to measure leaf-level physiology and how to collect and analyze Lidar and multispectral data and they will present their findings at the end of summer in the annual UNDERC undergraduate symposium at the field station..
The position would occur at the UNDERC site, would require routine field work and would last 10 weeks beginning late May. The student will receive a $6000 stipend, free housing and an allowance covering travel to and from the site.
Consideration of applications will begin immediately and interested individuals should send a brief (1-2 paragraph) statement of interests and a resume/CV to Alex Cox: acox22@nd.edu
3/10 – UVM summer internships in maple science – VT
Looking for two interns to work with us on maple-related opportunities this summer. Both positions will be involved in some lab work and continue the biodiversity monitoring in the sugarbush we started last year. They will work in collaboration with the National Audubon Society and the summer cohort of future foresters at the Smokey House Center. We offer $4500 stipends for our interns.
1/29 – RMBL Summer REU/Undergrad/Post-bac Research Opportunity – CO
The application portal is now OPEN for the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) summer session! Click on “STUDENTS” at www.rmbl.org. Priority deadline was February 13, 2026, but applications are accepted until all positions are filled.
RMBL summer program is a full-time 10-week independent research program at a world-class biological field station located at 9,500 feet in the Rocky Mountains. All students (undergraduate or post-baccalaureate) participate in an intensive scientific research experience, designing and completing a project under the direction of a RMBL scientist mentor. Students in the RMBL program gain skills in scientific research including ethics and integrity in research, experimental design, GPS/GIS and the use of field equipment and methods, scientific communication, data and graphical analyses, and science career advancement. Students are an integral component of the RMBL community and are immersed in a broad range of scientific, recreational, and artistic opportunities while they live onsite at RMBL.
If needed, Financial Aid is available in the form of REU awards and RMBL full and partial scholarships. All interested students are encouraged to apply! For more information go to www.rmbl.org
Fall 2026
3/4 – REU Program at Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
FULLY FUNDED RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS FOR U.S. UNDERGRADUATES IN BERMUDA
The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (ASU BIOS), a unit of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University, has funding from the National Science Foundation, (NSF Award number OCE-2349130), for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program to support undergraduate researchers during the fall semester 2026 (program starts August 24, ends November 13).
An REU internship at ASU BIOS is a great way to gain the experience necessary to embark on graduate studies or careers in science. Participants will conduct research projects under the expert mentorship of BIOS scientists. Throughout the 12-week program, participants will give oral and virtual poster presentations that outline their research topic, experimental methods and results and attend a series of professional development workshops and seminars hosted by faculty members. In addition, they will provide a project report at the end of the program. Schedule and weather permitting, all participants will be offered an exciting opportunity to join an oceanographic research cruise aboard R/V Atlantic Explorer. Theywill also have the option to enjoy field and boat excursions to learn about Bermuda’s history, flora and fauna.
Funding includes roundtrip air travel (from and to the U.S.), campus accommodation and meals and a competitive stipend. Participants are solely responsible for their own medical/travel insurance.
Further information, including available research projects and a link to the online application form, can be found here: https://bios.asu.edu/education/nsf-reu
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, over 18 years of age and enrolled in a program of undergraduate study immediately before and after the program dates. Applicants are ineligible if they have participated in a prior NSF-funded REU in Ocean Sciences.
Undergraduates from underrepresented groups or who are attending colleges or universities with limited STEM research opportunities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Application deadline is May 31, 2026
Questions? Contact us at bios.education@bios.asu.edu
Year-round Opportunities
Conservation Corps – Various US
Conservation Corps work all over the U.S. on projects ranging in focus from Ecology to History: Conservation Legacy and Corps Network. You can serve on a crew with other young(er) folks, or be placed individually. Most positions will come with an AmeriCorps stipend, education award, and other benefits.
Catalog of Biomedical Research Internships
The Student Conservation Association – various US
Paid internships all around the country, ranging from 3 to 12 months, most with housing provided and an AmeriCorps Education award upon completion.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Our program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces across the country. After working with the SCA, program participants emerge with increased environmental awareness, social responsibility and leadership skills.
US Government Agency Internships
For students and faculty in search of internships with government laboratories:
Pharmacology Internship – PA/NC/MA/CT
Summer and school-year internships with GSK, a science-led global healthcare and pharmaceutical company: