George Mason University · Nationwide / location varies · seasonal · posted today
Paid NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (Summer 2027) Paid opportunity for enrolled undergraduates interested in expanding their conservation research experience! The Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) is seeking to fill 10 paid REU positions for Summer 2027 at our NSF-funded REU site titled “Saving Endangered Species and Habitats: Next-generation Education, Research, and Training for Conservation Biologists.” This 10-week REU, held from May 24 to July 30, 2027, will give undergraduate students an opportunity to conduct hands-on, full-time conservation research and gain career-ready skills to improve knowledge of and best management practices for threatened species with the goal of helping to alleviate the global extinction crisis. Students will work with mentors to develop an original inquiry-based research project within these topical areas: 1) assessing and monitoring species in the wild, 2) understanding species integrity and resilience to anthropogenic threats, and 3) improving captive management of threatened species. This is a fully funded, 10-week paid research experience. Candidates must be available and in residence for the entire 10-week period. All REU participants will receive a $7,000 stipend, up to $500 in travel support to/from the REU site, plus room and board at the residence and dining facilities of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC), located at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia. Who should apply? Undergraduate students who are very excited about a career in conservation, or interested in related disciplines, such as biology, ecology, genetics, physiology, animal behavior, endocrinology, anthropology, and environmental sciences, are encouraged to apply. NSF-REU eligibility: To be eligible for this REU program, you must be (1) at least 18 years old, (2) enrolled in an undergraduate degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a bachelor's or associate degree, (3) a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident. REU funding is only available for currently enrolled undergraduate students. Undergraduate students who have graduated or will graduate by the time the REU begins (and are no longer enrolled in the university/college) are not eligible to apply. When is the deadline to apply? The deadline to apply is January 15, 2027. Start preparing your application materials early! Incomplete applications will not be accepted. This is a competitive program and only 10 students will be selected. Through the online application system (NSF-ETAP), students will need to submit a resume, unofficial transcripts for all college coursework, one letter of recommendation, and a one-page (single-spaced) personal essay. The essay will need to clearly describe your academic and professional interests related to the discipline of conservation and what motivated you to pursue them, as well as describe your future goals and ambitions and how this REU experience would help you achieve those goals. Apply by following this link to the NSF application portal: https://etap.nsf.gov/ Create an account and enter SMSC in the search bar, or go directly to our program application page: https://etap.nsf.gov/award/7921/opportunity/12230 If you have specific questions, please contact the REU Faculty Program Director, Dr. Anneke DeLuycker at adeluyck@gmu.edu
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