Research Internships
Through a research internship abroad, you can make the most of your time in another culture. It's not always necessary to speak a second language, either. Below are some Rice administered programs and others.
Annual Deadline: Early March
Rice University engineering students have the opportunity to apply for summer research internship positions at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay or Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur campus. Available research internship projects vary in each year and for more information please contact Ratna Sarkar or see the program flyer. No prior language or area studies background is required though students should be able to express a demonstrated interest in India. Rice University offers a range of India-related Asian studies coursework and we encourage interested students to consider integrating some of these classes into their undergraduate coursework.
Annual Deadline: Late January
The NanoJapan IREU is a twelve-week summer program that annually selects sixteen freshman and sophomore engineering and physics from US universities for nanotechnology research internships in Japanese university and government laboratories. This research internship program focuses on nanoscale research as it relates to nanoscale semiconductor devices, nanophotonics, and carbon nanotubes and includes the following. The program includes a three-week language and culture orientation in Tokyo followed by an 8 ½ week research internship with host laboratories throughout Japan. The program concludes with students presenting topical research posters on their summer projects during the Rice Quantum Institute’s Summer Research Colloquium. The program is funded by an NSF Partnership for International Research & Education grant and selected participants will receive international airfare and a research internship housing/living stipend. This competitive program is open to all US engineering and physics students nationwide and the online application is due in late January. No prior Japanese language experience is required though students must be able to show a demonstrated interest in Japan or Japanese language. Rice University offers a range of Japan-related and Asian studies coursework and we encourage interested students to consider integrating some of these classes into their undergraduate coursework.
Annual Deadline: Contact Program
The mission of Rice’s Beyond Traditional Borders Initiative is to foster the creation of globally appropriate health technologies that address the pressing health needs of the developing world. By engaging students through a novel multi-disciplinary educational program, we will challenge them to reach beyond their usual geographic and disciplinary experiential borders and to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to advance such innovative technologies. The program presents real-world global health design challenges to students, encouraging the development of meaningful solutions with the potential to make a real impact today.
Annual Deadline: Late January
The ACS International Research Experience for Undergraduates (IREU) exchange program gives undergraduate chemical science students an opportunity to pursue research at universities in France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Participating institutions are recognized as top producers of scientific knowledge. IREU students spend 10 weeks working on frontier chemistry research projects under the guidance of faculty members and graduate student mentors to sharpen scientific skills, develop collaborations with scientists abroad, and experience the life and culture of a foreign country. The IREU program is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst – DAAD), and participating European Chemistry Thematic Network institutions.
Annual Deadline: Late January
RISE is a summer internship program for undergraduate students from the United States, Canada and the UK in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences and engineering. It offers unique opportunities for undergraduate students to work with research groups at universities and top research institutions across Germany for a period of 1.5 to 3 months during the summer. RISE interns are matched with doctoral students whom they assist and who serve as their mentors. The working language will be English. All scholarship holders receive stipends from the DAAD to help cover living expenses, while partner universities and research institutes provide housing assistance. RISE internships were first offered in 2005 to applicants from the US and Canada. Following the first intake of around 100 students in 2005, the number of participants has increased steadily. In 2009 as many as 364 candidates (out of 1,149 applicants) were awarded an internship. Due to its great success, the program has now been extended to the UK. RISE hopes to accept as many students as possible for a summer internship in Germany. However this is a scholarship program and there are only limited funds available. Each year we have to turn away many students that apply to this program. In 2010 we hope to have 300 interns.
Annual Deadline: Early April
During your two-month stay you will conduct either an individual study project or an internship. You may choose between Hannover and Clausthal and one of the involved departments at either university respectively. During your stay you will be deeply immersed in one of the research groups, you will enjoy the same rights and privileges as other staff members. You will be supervised by a faculty member. Your supervisor and research team will give you all the support you need. You will not need any knowledge of German for your internship or research project. Nevertheless, we offer German language sessions on two afternoons per week, so that you will at least benefit from some basic knowledge at the end of your stay. You will be placed individually in a department. Nevertheless, you will meet with the other participants regularly: not only during the language sessions but also during the regulars’ table meetings where you will exchange and compare your experience with your fellow participants, and finally during the numerous excursions and other activities this program comprises. The program has been designed by Leibniz Universität Hannover, by Clausthal University of Technology and by our US-American partner: Purdue University. The program is open to all US students and you may apply, if you are at least in your second year of an engineering or science degree. However, non-native speakers of English have to meet language proficiency requirements.
Annual Deadline: Preference to Applications Received by Mid-December
This program, made possible by the National Science Foundation, is designed to expose students to the rigors of gravitational physics research within a setting that truly reflects its international character. For a period of 8-10 weeks during the summer, participants work on research projects in some of the best gravitational physics labs in Europe, Japan, and Australia. During their stay, students also benefit from the valuable cultural enrichment that comes with living in a foreign environment. The program is open only to US residents, and we are especially interested in recruiting women and minority students.
Annual Deadline: Mid-January
IAESTE United States is a membership organization dedicated to developing global skills in tomorrow's technical leaders through international exchange, leadership training, professional skill development, and technical education. The Internship Placement Program matches U.S. university students majoring in technical fields with paid internships abroad. Positions are available in industry, research institutes and universities, consulting firms, labs, and other work environments. Most placements are for 8-12 weeks during the summer, but fall and longer-term placements are also available. Opportunities are also available for short-term study abroad and work permit/visa service for students who have found their own placements overseas. See website for further details.
Annual Deadline: Varies by Program, See Program Website
The 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. An REU Site may be at either a US or foreign location. In addition do Domestic REU Sites there are also typically a range of International REU sites available. Review the current International REU options online and be sure to carefully reviewing the program websites or contact the programs directly to confirm availability, eligibility criteria, and application information.