Get involved in Neuroscience Research during the Summer
Summer Research Opportunities (SROP) are a fantastic way to get involved in neuroscience research and find out more about continuing on with a research-based career. There is a strong “seasonality” to these opportunities: most are announced in the fall, accept applications through January/February, and make selections in the Spring. There are always a few programs, though, running behind, so be sure to keep an eye-out for late-breaking programs that accept applications into the Spring.
Google can help you find SROPs throughout the U.S. and often also in Canada and Europe. In addition to “Summer Research Opportunity” you can also look for “Research Experience for Undergraduates” (REU).
Several organizations work to collate SROPS to help make it easier to find and apply to these vital programs:
- The Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (FUN) maintains a web listing of internship opportunities for specifically focused on neuroscience. This list is typically updated in the spring in anticipation of the availability of summer internships. Follow this link to visit this listing at the FUN website: https://www.funfaculty.org/undergrad_internships
- NSF has a listing of REUs by scientific topic: https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/list_result.jsp?unitid=5047
- Princeton Engineering has an excellent database: https://engineering.princeton.edu/undergraduate-studies/summer-research-experiences
- The website REU finder has an several different lists of summer research opportunities, broken down by different categories (e.g. programs for first-year students, programs for undocumented students, etc.): https://reufinder.com/research-programs-for-undocumented-students/
After Graduation: Funded Post-Bac Experiences
SROPs are typically only available for students who will return to undergraduate studies at the end of the summer. If you are about to graduate or have recently graduated, you may be interested to explore a funded post-bac program. These are usually 1-2 year programs that help prepare a motivated student to be ready to apply for a research-based PhD program. There are lots of non-funded programs out there as well (sometimes they are masters programs focused on helping with med school admission) but the growth of *funded* programs is really worth exploring.
Google can help you find a funded post-bac, but here are some resources to get you started:
- Cientifico Latino keeps a database on funded post-bac programs: https://www.cientificolatino.com/post-bac
- Washington University of St. Louis has a funded post-bac program focused on neuroscience: https://neuroprep.wustl.edu/