Undergraduates (REU) Opportunities
Are you searching for a career that will make a difference in the world? If yes, you should consider a career in plant pathology. This is a mission-oriented profession using cutting-edge science to help feed the world, maintain plant health, and contribute to a healthy environment. Find out what
you can become, and how
you can make a difference. There are many academic, government, and private sector internship and REU opportunities listed below.
The American Phytopathological Society (APS) is a non-profit association whose mission includes being a leading provider of information on the science and practical management of plant diseases. Free membership in APS is offered to any undergraduate in an internship, REU, REEU, or work experience, anywhere in the world through our Borlaug's Army initiative.
Academic Opportunities
University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas, Adair/Bollenbacher Scholarship and Summer Internship, provides the opportunity for undergraduates to conduct their own research project under the guidance of faculty in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Arkansas.
Boyce Thompson Institute
The Plant Genome Research Program at Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University will provide a 10-week internship for undergraduates, and select local high school students to also participate in a similar internship program for six to eight weeks. For both undergraduate and high school students, the internship program involves students in laboratory-based Plant Genome Research Projects (PGRP).
Southern Connecticut State University and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
The
Summer Undergraduate Fellowships in Plant Health and Protection program offers 10 internships per summer of 2017-2019. It’s hosted at
Southern Connecticut State University and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station from June 5 to August 4, with room, board, and stipend. Students will work on plant health related projects in plant pathology, entomology, chemistry, mycology, or microbiology, and participate in field trips and other activities.
Cornell University
Cornell University’s Division of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology offers an internship program we call the
Summer Research Scholars Program based at Cornell's Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. Undergraduate students can participate in exciting research projects within the discipline of plant pathology and plant-microbe biology. Student interns work with scientists from all over the world on a variety of exciting laboratory- and field-based projects, and receive a stipend, housing, and travel assistance.
The University of Georgia
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)Young Scholars Internship Program targets talented high school students who show a high aptitude in math- and science-related subjects. Selected summer interns work side-by-side with CAES researchers for six weeks, and are paid a salary for up to 40 hours of work per week.
Kansas State University
The Department of Plant Pathology at Kansas State University (KSU) offers Research & Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU), which is a USDA-NIFA funded 9-week program in plant health research and extension. We offer stipend, accommodation, and travel expenses to eligible and motivated students, who are then matched with faculty mentors in plant pathology, agronomy, entomology, and horticulture. Other internship programs available to undergraduates at KSU are the Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (SUROP) and the College of Agriculture KSRE Multicultural Summer Fellow Program.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences (UCARE) Program at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, funded by the Pepsi Endowment, supports opportunities for undergraduates to work alongside faculty members and directly participate in the campus's research or creative activities. Undergraduates may apply for UCARE awards to incorporate a research or creative experience into their undergraduate education. The awards provide funds for the students’ salaries, expenses and supplies. The Plant Pathology Department participates in the UCARE program.
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University offers the
Kelman Scholars Undergraduate Research Internship Program in Plant Pathology. The program honors the memory of Dr. Arthur Kelman—a preeminent plant pathologist and renowned teacher and mentor. The Kelman Scholars is a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) that offers a generous stipend (in Summer) and the opportunity to present research results in the NCSU Undergraduate Research Symposium. Applicants must be U.S. residents. While opportunities for Kelman Scholar research are available during Fall and Spring semesters, the primary internship program consists of a 10-week Summer research opportunity in NCSU Plant Pathology.
The Ohio State University
The Summer Research Internship in Plant Pathology (SRIPP) program offers paid internships to undergraduates in Ohio State's Department of Plant Pathology on the Columbus and Wooster campuses. The OARDC Research Internship Program (ORIP), based in Wooster only, is open to undergraduates and high school students. Interns work in faculty research programs for a typical duration of 10 weeks.
Penn State University
The
Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology at Penn State University has a number of internship opportunities for undergraduate students interested in plant pathology, mushroom production, agricultural biosecurity, environmental microbiology, microbiomes, phytobiomes, international agriculture, and other topics. Funding for summer scholars come from a variety of sources within the department and as part of the
Penn State University Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP).
Government Opportunities
- The USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowships are paid, full-time opportunities (40 hours per week) that require an 8-week minimum work commitment. Wallace-Carver Fellows are hired as federal employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Fellows are expected to participate in, and present at, the World Food Prize Foundation Global Youth Institute and International Borlaug Dialogue as a core component of the experience. Any student is eligible who has participated in a World Food Prize Youth Program, is a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident, at least 18 years old, and a registered full-time college student (undergraduate or graduate).
- The USDA Pathways Recent Graduates Program offers opportunities for individual who have completed, within the past two year, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate program. Learn more at USDA Internships and Career Opportunities.
- The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Education and Workshop Development Program focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences.
- The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program provides undergraduate students or recent graduates with research experiences at participating DOE laboratories/facilities.
- The DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program creates a pathway for an individual to advance their Ph.D. thesis research while working at a DOE National Laboratory.
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The DOE Visiting Faculty Program (VFP) is designed for full-time faculty members from institutions historically marginalized in STEM research, the opportunity to enhance their research competitiveness and innovative STEM learning they bring to students through a funded collaborative experience with a DOE national laboratory.
- The DOE Community College Internship (CCI) program give community college students seeking opportunities to expand their technical skills and expertise while exploring career pathways in STEM. The CCI program offers a paid internship opportunity that is sponsored and managed by the DOE Office of Science's Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) in collaboration with DOE laboratories/facilities.
- America's Seed Fund through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, America's Seed Fund awards non-dilutive funding to develop your technology and chart a path toward commercialization.
Fulbright Scholar Program
- The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers over 400 awards in more than 135 countries for U.S. citizens to teach, conduct research and carry out professional projects around the world.
Non-Profit Opportunities
AAAS Immersive Fellowship
- The Science & Technology Policy Fellowships program provides opportunities for scientists and engineers to contribute to federal policymaking while learning firsthand about the intersection of science and policy.
California Council on Science & Technology (CCST)
- The CCST Policy Fellows Program annually recruits and trains a cohort of PhD scientists and engineers to spend on year working in Sacramento, CA, directly serving decision makers within the California State Legislature and Executive Branch.
Private Sector Opportunities
American Floral Endowment (AFE) Internship
- AFE offers paid intern scholarship programs for students in floriculture or horticulture.
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Driscoll's Internships
- Driscoll's internship program was created to act as a direct pipeline for future Driscoll's employment. Interns will cultivate their skills with hands-on experience designed to fit their career objectives, complements their academic work, and enhances their learning and opportunities within the expanding fresh berry business.
Corteva Agriscience
Corteva Agriscience provides opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain valuable experience in the agriculture industry while testing potential career paths with a leading organization.
- Internship Program
- Co-Op Program
- Early Career Program
Syngenta
Contact APS to have additional listings and opportunities included.
