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Research Opportunities Come in All Shapes and Sizes
Contribute to Nova Southeastern University’s research programs that have a global impact. Gain hands-on experience in the lab. Go into the field, and join research institutes and organizations off campus in Florida and across the country. These are the experiences that will give you the NSU Edge.
By pursuing a research internship or volunteer opportunity, you’ll become fully immersed in a professional research environment. Build a professional identity and make valuable connections in the real world. You might even earn some cash if the position is funded. Take advantage of these opportunities in the summer when you’re free from academic responsibilities, or commit a few hours each week during the semester. Research experiences are highly competitive and dependent on available funding so you’ll want to plan ahead. Application deadlines vary and some programs start accepting applications early in the fall.
When figuring out what research activities to apply to, consider the following:
- What kind of research interests you the most?
- How much time do you have to dedicate to a research opportunity?
- What skills do you need?
- What skills will you develop?
- What will you achieve?
Research Opportunities at Your Florida Doorstep
You won’t have to go far to find exciting research opportunities. Enhance your resume with experiences right here in Florida. Spend your summer or free time during the semester helping researchers with groundbreaking discoveries.
Dolphin Research Center
Located in Grassy Key
Love dolphins? Spend time with these loving mammals as an intern with the Dolphin Research Center. You’ll be involved in their day-to-day lives by assisting with diet preparation, training, and feeding sessions. You’ll also learn by shadowing trainers.
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI)
Located in Jupiter
Design experiments, collect and analyze data, and interpret results for high-impact research projects at the world-renowned Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI). Help researchers answer fundamental questions about brain development and function.
The Scripps Research Institute
Located in Jupiter
Support scientific research that changes lives and shapes the future. The Scripps Institute has several mentoring and research opportunities available during the summer and academic year. The Academic Year Research Internship for Undergraduates (AYRIU) is designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies in biomedical sciences. The Diversity Visitation Event for Research and Graduate Education (DiVERGE) is geared toward undergraduate students interested in biomedical research careers.
Florida Conservation Corps
Located in Gainesville
The 24-year-old Florida Conservation Corps AmeriCorps program is administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Members are required to work 35 to 40 hours a week to complete 1,700 hours in 11 months.
Spend Your Summer Making Creative Discoveries in Florida
Summer research experiences are highly competitive, so you’ll want to plan ahead. Some programs start accepting applications early in the fall.
Reuse Water Quality Research and Extension Experiences for Undergrads Offered at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee
Interested in food, natural resources, and human sciences? Get hands-on experience discovering agricultural research.
The Coastal Ecosystems Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Offered at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami
During this 10-week paid research fellowship, you’ll develop an independent project in collaboration with a research team made up of FIU faculty and graduate student mentors. Each fall, research mentors provide summer research topics for incoming REU students to work on in the upcoming summer.
Nemours Biomedical Research, Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Offered in Jacksonville and Orlando
Work on clinical, laboratory, and translational research projects during this 10-week, full-time program that runs from June to early August. Each Nemours Biomedical Research, Summer Undergraduate Research Program (NSURP) scholar receives a $4,300 scholarship.
Whitney Laboratory Research Experience
Offered at University of Florida in Saint Augustine
If you are serious about science but have never had the opportunity to perform work as a scientist, then this 10-week program is for you. In cooperation with a faculty supervisor, you’ll choose a project that fits both your interests and ongoing investigations of the lab.
Zoo Miami, Conservation Science
Conduct independent research in conservation science under the mentorship of conservation biologists, wildlife veterinarians, and education researchers at Zoo Miami and FIU. You’ll get a weekly stipend, paid summer housing, a food allowance, and travel coverage to and from Miami.
Broaden Your Horizons. Get Out of State.
Need an excuse to travel this summer? Take advantage of national research opportunities. Spend the warmer months getting to know a new place and new people—all while building your intellectual capital. Please note the opportunities listed are dependent on available funding.
Association of American Medical Colleges
Explore medical career options, and chart your path to medicine through trainings and research opportunities in the summer at Harvard, New York University (NYU), Tufts University, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA), and others.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Considering public health as a career option? As a CDC Undergraduate Public Health Scholar, you’ll gain experience by working in a variety of public health settings, including community organizations, health departments, university-based programs, and federal agencies.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Thinking about dedicating your career to improving the health and well-being of all Americans, ensuring that we have clean air, pure water, and better-protected land? Apply for an internship or fellowship at the EPA.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Join a NASA mission. As an intern, participate in either research or experiential learning under the guidance of a NASA mentor.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, investing more than $32 billion a year to enhance life and reduce illness and disability. NIH-funded research has led to breakthroughs and new treatments that help people live longer, healthier lives.
Explore opportunities with NIH’s grantees:
National Cancer Institute
National Eye Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Human Genome Research Institute
National Institute on Aging
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institute of Nursing Research
National Library of Medicine
NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program
The NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program offers competitive scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. Get paid to train at NIH during the summer, and earn potential job opportunities after graduation.
My research project taught me how to be self-driven and focus on a specific goal. I also gained valuable feedback from my mentor. This experience has given me the insights I needed to take on my own research projects in the future.
Margarita A. | Biology
National Science Foundation (NSF)
NSF funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. Join an ongoing research project designed specifically for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program.
NSF Funding Opportunities for Undergraduates
The REU program is funded, making it easier for you to participate. Contact the organizations directly for more information.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
Through the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships Program at ORNL, you’ll gain hands-on experience in research or a technical focus in the lab.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
As part of the federal Pathways Program, the OneUSDA Internship Program offers paid federal internships at USDA agencies and offices around the country for professional development opportunities in agriculture, natural resources, rural development, and other career fields.
More Federal Opportunities
Join the next generation of environmental health scientists. NIH has several programs for undergraduate students you can take advantage of.
Get Involved With Government-Funded Research Programs Across The Country.
Join one of the summer research projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). These programs are highly competitive and perfect for NSU Sharks who are trained to outlast the competition. Get your applications in early because they usually open up in the fall. Check out a few of the programs below.
California
California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) NSF REU Program in Next-Generation Sequencing
Offered at CSUSM
This REU site award to CSUSM will support the training of 10 students for 10 weeks during the summer. This intensive research program will complement the unifying theme of “Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Beyond: From Beetles to Beer.”
Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Biology (SURB)
Offered at Pepperdine University in Malibu
Bruins-In-Genomics (B.I.G.) Summer Research Program
Offered at University of California, Los Angeles
Experience what a science career can look like through a B.I.G. summer experience. This program’s unique integration of computer science and life science material models how real scientists collaborate in today’s increasingly interdisciplinary world of biomedical and life science research.
Georgia
Fungal Genomics and Computational Biology
Offered at Georgia Southern University
Population Biology of Infectious Diseases
Offered at Georgia Southern University
Puerto Rico
Computational and Quantitative Analysis in Biology
Offered at University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras in San Juan
Whether you’re a programmer, computer scientist, or designer, join this hackathon if you’re interested in exploring the intersection of the life sciences and computer science.
Tennessee
Interdisciplinary Computational Biology
Offered at University of Tennessee in Chattanooga
Get interdisciplinary computational biology training in science, technology, engineering, math, and other related fields.
My research project helped me improved my leadership skills. I gained a variety of
valuable skills that I can put to use in my future academic and professional endeavors.
Julissa G. | Psychology
My research project helped me improved my leadership skills. I gained a variety of valuable skills that I can put to use in my future academic and professional endeavors.
Julissa G. | Psychology
Need Help Figuring Out the Research Experience Process?
Summer research opportunities are competitive and limited, which means you need to put together a sharp application. It’s also best practice to apply early so you don’t miss out on opportunities. Check out our library of resources as you’re wading through the application journey.
Acing Your Applications
Research is a pretty big part of the NSU experience, no matter what you’re studying. But it can also be a pretty big undertaking. From choosing the right research opportunity to hitting application deadlines, we’ve got you covered.
Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (PDF)
Tips on Creating a Winning Application (PDF)
Writing Strong Essays and Personal Statements (PDF)
Getting Strong Letters of Recommendation (PDF)
More Resources
Dive into these additional research opportunities!
Amgen Scholars Program
Child Family Health International (Virtual Opportunities)
iNaturalist
National Research Mentoring Network
Pathways to Science
ResearchGate
SciStarter
webGURU (Guide for Undergraduate Research)
Zintellect
Zooniverse
Contact the Office of Undergraduate Research
If you have any questions, please email Jeff Hartman at jhartman2@nova.edu or call (954) 892-0351.
Current Students
Get in touch with your academic and career adviser if you have questions about coursework
or to chat about future career goals.
Connect With Your Adviser
Faculty
If you are looking for undergraduate student assistance on a research project, please
submit an NSU Undergraduate Research Opportunities form.
Complete the Form