Paid and Unpaid Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Michele Dudash
Department Head/Professor
Department of Natural Resource Management
College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences
SDSU Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Oak Lake Field Station
Application Deadline: May 1st each year

Available Awards
- Jon Haertel Endowment for Work on Vertebrate Animals
- Charles and Marcia McMullen Endowment of Undergraduate Research in Natural Resources
Contact
- Dr. Charles Fenster - Director and Professor
- Dr. Bruce Eichhorst - Assistant Director
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Application Deadline: not available yet but last year's deadline was April 20, 2020.
Available Awards
Wildlife Leadership Awards (WLA) include a $5,000 scholarship and one-year RMEF membership.
Qualifications
College juniors and seniors chosen for their leadership ability, dedication to wildlife conservation and scholastic achievements.
Application
Download the RMEF application.
C.A. Taylor Herbarium
Native Plant Initiative
NSF CREU
(“REU”-like experience with the Consortium of Plant Invasion Genomics)
- each research hub will recruit 2 students.
- SDState represents one of the major research hubs.
- will provide $4000 stipend, $2000 lodging, $1000 research allowance, and professional mentoring and training.
NSF – REU PLANTS
Interdisciplinary research in plant sciences linking genomes-phonomes-landscapes.
Contact
Dr. Lan Xu - mentor
Dr. Maribeth Latvis - mentor
Dr. Lora Perkins - co-mentor for a student on a seedling project.
This website will be updated soon with individual project descriptions, but we’d like to start recruiting!
Off-Campus Experiential Learning Opportunities
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Provides internships to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing careers in the biomedical/biological sciences to work on a research project that entails exposure to the latest biochemical, molecular and analytical techniques in a given field.
- SDSU Undergraduate Research Opportunities in the Great Plains Region: GFP, NRCS, Pheasants Forever.
- USAJobs.gov
- Facebook page "SDState Natural Resource Job Announcements"
- Texas A & M Job Board
- Email information sent to your Jacks account
- USDA Undergraduate Research Opportunities
- Pathways Program: Offers federal internship and employment opportunities for current students, recent graduates and those with an advanced degree.
- National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduate Students (NSF REU programs)
- Nationwide program with opportunities in many disciplines and locations throughout the USA.
- With your mentor, you design a research project by preparing both a written and oral research proposal, conduct experiments and gather data, presenting a poster and/or giving a presentation on your research at the completion of the program.
- Provide: All travel and expenses while in the program and also a stipend of ~ $5,000 depending on the program.
- For Students
- Search for an REU Site
- REU Sites: Biological Sciences
- Student Conservation Association: Has internships in wide-ranging fields and locations. (Paid Internships)
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums: Search under internships and lots of opportunities pop up!
- Internships for Applied Ecologists
- Ecdysis Foundation
- The Blue Dasher Farm Initiative: Search for "Blue Dasher Farm" on Youtube to hear about our projects.
- Contact Dr. Jonathan Lundgren for more info.
- Ecolog Listserv
- Listserv of the Ecological Society of America
- Volunteer and paid internship positions are posted here
- Evoldir Listserv
- Posting site for evolutionary and ecological research opportunities (volunteer and paid internships)
- Posting site for evolutionary and ecological research opportunities (volunteer and paid internships)
“Generic”
How to Apply
- Good GPA (3.5 or better but if over a 3.0, you never know, until you try)
- Resume - including academic and research experience
- Statement of interest
- Unofficial transcript
- Letters of recommendation – ask if your references can provide you with a “strong” reference!