Research Experiences
Amgen Scholars Program
The Amgen Scholars Program aims to open the door to biomedical and biotechnology research opportunities for undergraduates from any four-year college or university in a given region. Participants benefit from undertaking a research project under top faculty at world-class institutions. 25 premier educational and research institutions across the US, Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada host the summer program.
Boren Award
The Boren Awards provides funding for study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests. It is open to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who commit to seek work in the federal government for a specified period of time. Because this scholarship involves a campus review process, prospective applicants should check the CMU Boren webpage for the internal campus undergraduate and graduate deadlines.
DAAD Scholarships
In addition to RISE Germany and RISE Professional, DAAD provides several other awards to support research, coursework, and graduate studies in Germany.
DAAD RISE Germany
RISE stands for Research Internships in Science and Engineering. RISE Germany offers undergraduate students from North American, British and Irish universities the opportunity to complete a summer research internship at top German universities and research institutions. Interns receive a monthly stipend to cover every day costs. To apply, you must be currently enrolled at a university/college as undergraduate student in the field of biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences or engineering (or a closely related field). You must have completed at least 2 years of your degree program by the time of the internship placement, and plan to continue as a student in the academic year following your placement.
DAAD RISE Professional
RISE Professional offers summer research internships in Germany to Master’s and Ph.D. students at companies and non-university research institutions with strong relations to industry. The program is open for students in the field of biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth science, engineering or a closely related field. All participants receive a scholarship from DAAD and an additional stipend from their host company/institution to help cover living expenses. Funding is possible for a period up to six months depending on the internship in summer or fall. German language requirements vary according to the internship placement. Undergraduates who are Alumni from the RISE Germany program and recent graduates (depending on the internship) are also eligible to apply.
EPFL Excellence Research Internship Program
The École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) ranks as one of the most successful institutions in Europe. The EPFL Excellence Research Internship Program (ERIP) offers laboratory internships of three months to outstanding students. Students at the Bachelor’s level are accepted, and applicants must have at least completed their 2nd year of their undergarduate degree when they start the internship, be enrolled as regular students during the whole length of the internship, and be nominated by their home institution. Internships are generally three months long and should be part of the student curriculum. EPFL offers additional summer research programs, which can be viewed at their website.
Fellowships for Americans in the Nordic Countries
The American Scandinavian Foundation provides year-long fellowships of up to $23,000 and 1-3 month fellowships of up to $5,000 to graduate students and academic professionals interested in pursuing research or creative-arts projects in the Nordic region. Seniors, graduate students, and alumni who are US citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply.
Fulbright US Student Program
The Fulbright US Student Program funds a year abroad in 150+ different countries to participate in English teaching assistantships, graduate studies, or independent research. Rising seniors, graduate students, or recent alumni who are U.S. citizens may apply. Because this scholarship involves a campus review process, prospective applicants should check the CMU Fulbright webpage for the internal campus deadlines.
Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship Program
The Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship Program provides grants to fund individual doctoral students who conduct research in other countries, in modern foreign languages and area studies for periods of six to 12 months. Projects deepen research knowledge on and help the nation develop capability in areas of the world not generally included in U.S. curricula. Projects focusing on Western Europe are not supported. Current doctoral students who are U.S. citizens and who have been admitted to candidacy can apply.
Fulbright US Student Study/Research Award
The Fulbright US Student Program awards Study/Research grants in 150+ countries. Rising seniors, graduate students, or recent alumni who are U.S. citizens may apply. These grants offer two major pathways: independent research (in affiliation with a host country university) or graduate degree enrollment. Some countries offer both of these options, while others only offer one or the other. Specialty awards in specific disciplines, such as business, public health, policy, and the arts are available in select countries. The vast majority of grants are open to all disciplines. Because this scholarship involves a campus review process, prospective applicants should check the CMU Fulbright webpage for the internal campus deadlines.
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship is for sophomore or junior U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents who are majoring in STEM fields. Goldwater provides one- or two-year $7,500 awards to students with excellent grades, significant research accomplishments, and plans to pursue Ph.Ds. in STEM. Because this scholarship requires a campus nomination, prospective applicants should check the CMU Goldwater webpage for the internal campus deadline.
NDSEG
National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowships are awarded to U.S. citizens who intend to pursue doctoral degrees in STEM fields of interest to the Department of Defense. These three-year awards cover tuition and fees, monthly stipend, and medical insurance. Graduating seniors, alumni, and 1st- or 2nd-year graduate students are eligible.
NSF GRF
The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship supports outstanding students in STEM fields who plan to attain research-based Master’s or Ph.D. degrees. The awards provide a $12,000 cost-of-education allowance and $34,000 stipend to U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents who are graduating seniors or 1st- or 2nd- year graduate students.
NSF REUs
NSF funds a large number of research opportunities for undergraduate students through its REU 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.
SMART
The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation Scholarship is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed in a Department of Defense research facility upon graduation. Applicants must be citizens of the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the UK.
ThinkSwiss
ThinkSwiss is scholarship that funds an 8-12 week research internship in Switzerland in any field. Sophomores, juniors, seniors, and master’s students can apply.