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STEM Learning Center: Recommended Advancement Opportunities

Here you can find a list of scholarships, internships, and research opportunities that you can apply to now as a student at NCCU!

Scholarships

The TRIO Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program is designed to prepare students from low-income, first-generation and traditionally underrepresented groups for doctoral studies.

View McNair Scholars Program

To learn more about other University and external scholarships available to you, check out the following page!

View Scholarships

Research Opportunities

Learn more about the U.S. National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU) program. They offer research opportunities to undergraduates.

On behalf of the Duke Mathematics Department, we would like to warmly encourage you to apply to the 2025 edition of Math+, an 8-week summer research program run by the Duke math department.

During the program, teams of undergraduate students work together on a research project in math, under the mentorship of a Duke faculty member and graduate student. This year, we are delighted to offer 5 projects in a variety of exciting topics in pure and applied math. The program is open to all undergraduates at NCCU and Duke. Like Data+, another summer research opportunity at Duke, we encourage applications from students with all ranges of backgrounds and experience.

This year's Math+ program runs from May 20 to July 11, 2025, and comes with a $4,000 stipend. The application deadline is February 15, 2025. For information about this year's projects and a link to the (easy!) online application, please use the following:

For general information about Math+ and links to the projects from past summers, please see:

General Information About Math+

Organizer: Dr. Rachel Levy (North Carolina State University Mathematics, Data Science and AI Academy)
Faculty Instructors: Dr. Mohammad Meysami (Clarkson University Mathematics), Dr. Jeffrey Humpherys (Industry Data Scientist), Dr. Katherine Socha (Northeastern University Khoury College of Computer Science)

The Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM) invites applications for Summer@ICERM 2025, a seven-week residential program designed for a group of 18–22 undergraduate scholars. Applications will be accepted via MathPrograms.org. Learn more below.

Summer@ICERM 2025

Building Useful Insights from Local Data through Sustainable partnerships (BUILDS) aims to introduce students with limited experience to data science through projects related to global food systems, food production, and food security.

Data science is the process of turning information into insights. In this program, you will learn to address local and global data science challenges broadly related to the theme of food posed by community partners. Your goal will be to develop flexible solutions that could work for community partners who have similar challenges but different local contexts. Faculty leaders will help you learn how to communicate your solutions to audiences that may not have a technical or data science background. They will also provide information and encourage you to think about how the things you are learning might connect to future educational pathways, internship opportunities, and careers.

While all undergraduate data science beginners from any major are welcome, rising sophomores are encouraged to apply.

There are no prerequisites for your participation, other than a strong interest in

getting an introduction to data science and beginning programming in Python,
learning by doing (and willingness to make mistakes!),
collaborating on data problems with other students and with community partners (who may also have no experience with data science or programming), and
working on communication skills and career preparation.

Funding:

Participating students will receive a $3,500 stipend.
Providence, RI room, board, and travel funding will be provided.*

*Brown University students who choose not to live in the dorm will waive ICERM-provided housing and meal funding.

Important Notes:

Applicants must be matriculating undergraduate students at the start of Summer@ICERM 2025.
Funding is available for 1–2 students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Biological Sciences

The YCCEH Summer Scholars program, in partnership with the Yale Summer Enrichment Research Experience (YSERE), is a six-week, full-time, in-person opportunity for undergraduates to conduct hematology research under the mentorship of Yale faculty. Scholars participate in research projects, career development workshops, and weekly seminars, and present their findings at the program’s conclusion, with a stipend provided.

This summer internship program offers undergraduate students a paid research and professional development experience, focused on population science. Interns will collaborate with CPC faculty and graduate students on ongoing research projects, attend weekly seminars, and receive a stipend of $4,500 for the 8-week, full-time (35 hours/week) program, with potential for additional paid work after the program ends. Most internships will be in-person, with some projects offering hybrid options.

Contact: [email protected]

Application Opens: January 2025

The Research Institute for Scholars of Equity (RISE) program is an interdisciplinary training initiative designed to prepare upper-level undergraduate students from various universities for doctoral study in education research, focusing on improving educational outcomes for African American and Latino/a students. RISE fellows engage in mixed-methods research, study social justice in education, and receive mentorship, with a core feature being an eight-week summer institute on critical race theory and education research. The program is a partnership between North Carolina Central University and the University of Southern California, with additional collaborating institutions, and aims to increase diversity in education research.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

This program offers undergraduates interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences the chance to engage in supervised research in areas such as biochemistry, cancer biology, microbiology, neuroscience, stem cell biology, and more. A stipend of $4,000 is provided for students without housing, and a stipend of $3,000 is provided for those with housing. A maximum of 10 qualified candidates will be accepted, and only complete applications will be reviewed.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2025

The 9-week summer research program, running from May 29 to July 30, 2025, offers undergraduate students from minority-serving institutions in North Carolina the chance to engage in high-impact activities, build professional networks, and connect with potential graduate mentors at ECU. Participants receive a $6,500 stipend, $2,000 for room and board, and $1,500 for research supplies, with preference given to rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates who are in good standing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have an interest in pursuing a graduate degree.

Application Deadline: February 7, 2025

The Partners Program in Cancer Biology offers undergraduate students at NCCU and UNC Chapel Hill the opportunity to gain research experience, mentoring, and career development in cancer biology. The 10-week intensive program includes a stipend, housing, and professional development, with students choosing between a Laboratory Research or Public Health concentration and working on a solo project under faculty mentorship. Students may be invited back for a second year upon successful completion of the first year.

Application Deadline: February 19, 2024

The Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity in Chemistry (SUROC) at UNC Chapel Hill provides undergraduate students outside the university with the chance to engage in hands-on research in cutting-edge labs. Over a 10-week period, students conduct independent research under faculty mentorship, participate in professional development activities, and enjoy excursions to local industries, all while receiving a stipend, housing, and a food allowance.

Contact: [email protected]

Application Opens: January 2025

Data+ (including Climate+) is a research program for undergraduate and master's students interested in data-driven approaches to interdisciplinary challenges, open to all majors and class years. Students work in small teams on diverse projects, gaining hands-on experience in data analysis and visualization, while receiving a $5,000 stipend, with housing and travel arranged independently.

Deadline: February 28, 2025, and rolling deadline

The D-CARE and ND-SURE programs provide undergraduate students with research training in alcohol use and substance use disorders, offering a summer research experience in labs at Duke or NCCU. Participants will receive mentorship, engage in seminars on research methods and career development, and present their findings, with housing, some meals, and a stipend provided. Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, especially sophomores, are encouraged to apply.

Application Opens: Early October 2025

The DPHS Summer Institute, held from June 9–26, 2025, offers 15 workshops designed to strengthen your research skills in population health sciences, covering topics like patient-reported outcomes, healthcare delivery interventions, and evidence-informed approaches. This program is ideal for early- to mid-career researchers, healthcare professionals, and students seeking to expand their research expertise and network with experts in the field.

Application Deadline: May 19, 2025

Environmental Science

The 21st Century Environmental Health Scholars (21EH Scholars) is a year-round program offering environmental health science research internships to undergraduates at NCCU and UNC-Chapel Hill. Scholars gain hands-on research experience, improve science communication skills, and prepare for graduate school, through an interdisciplinary partnership between various departments and institutes at both universities.

The Climate+ program is a full-time, 10-week summer research experience where undergraduates and graduate students work in small teams to explore data-driven solutions for climate challenges. Offered within Duke’s Data+ program, it provides exposure to data science and climate research while working on faculty-led projects in collaboration with external partners.

Application Deadline: Rolling deadline

Nutritional Science

FERN is a 9-week, paid research fellowship hosted by the Global Food Research Program (GFRP) at UNC-Chapel Hill, offering undergraduate students an opportunity to explore food policy and nutrition research. Fellows will engage in research skills training, attend professional development workshops, and receive mentorship from experts in the field, gaining valuable experience in food policy research with a focus on reducing nutrition-related health disparities. The program is open to students from all backgrounds and universities, with no prior research experience required.

Informational Technology (IT)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a Summer 2025 Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program focused on hardware and system security. Students from all majors, especially those in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering, are encouraged to apply for the 8-week program, which includes research experience, mentorship, talks by industry professionals, and a stipend. Housing and travel funding are provided, with no cost to participants.

The Undergraduate Student Internship Program offers mentorship and training from NIH Human Biomolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP) labs, with both computational and experimental internship experiences available. Accepted students will receive a $6,000 stipend, and additional funding for living and travel expenses may be provided depending on the lab. Applications open in late 2026.

Contact: [email protected]

Study Abroad Programs

Explore a variety of study abroad programs through the NCCU Office of International Affairs, where you can find detailed information on courses, locations, and unique opportunities tailored to your academic goals and interests. Visit the website to discover the perfect program for you.

Application Deadline: Varies

Arcadia Abroad offers summer research programs in countries like England, Spain, Ireland, Italy, and Scotland, providing students with hands-on experience in a collaborative research environment. These programs help students develop critical thinking, research goals, and experimental strategies, while exploring cultural and historical contexts. Scholarships are available based on the university selected.

Application Deadline: Varies based on application

Public Health and Policy

Applied Ethics+ is a paid, full-time, 10-week summer program hosted by the Duke Initiative for Science and Society, where interdisciplinary teams of Duke and other eligible students collaborate with leading organizations to tackle challenges in policy, tech, and health. Participants receive a stipend of $5,000 or $1,000 with room and board, and the program is open to students from Duke University, Duke Kunshan University, UNC-based Robertson Scholars, and other institutions.

Application Deadline: Rolling basis until all spots are filled

The Duke-Margolis Summer Experience offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to work on health policy projects through a 10-week, mentored internship, focusing on improving health, health equity, and
healthcare value. Interns will engage in tasks like literature reviews, data analysis, and visualizations while gaining professional experience and networking with faculty and staff in the health policy field.

Application Deadline: February 17, 2025

This database offers a range of internships and fellowships for both undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in U.S. foreign policy, providing opportunities to work alongside experts in various fields like policy, IT, and engineering. Through these programs, you can gain valuable experience, explore new career paths, and develop skills while contributing to U.S. diplomacy and global interests.

Application Deadline: Varies

Post-Baccalaureate Programs

The Yale School of Medicine offers a one-year Clinical and Translational Research Post Baccalaureate Internship for recent graduates, providing hands-on experience in clinical research while working closely with faculty and staff across various stages of research. Interns gain exposure to human subject protection, regulatory training, and clinical research rotations, ideal for those pursuing graduate or medical school careers in healthcare or research.

Contact: [email protected]

Scholarships of $5,000 per semester are available for up to two years to support students pursuing master’s degrees in Biology, Biotechnology, Environmental Health, Health Education, or Public Health at ECU, covering tuition, fees, and internship/practicum expenses. Eligible applicants must be admitted to an ECU graduate program, maintain a GPA of 3.0, commit to a public health career, and submit application materials by April 30, 2025, with preference given to in-state students involved in research through the NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Summer Research Immersion Program.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Recent graduate internships at ORNL provide opportunities to advance knowledge in energy, computing, materials, and environmental science, preparing graduates for careers or further education. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and program deadlines vary — connecting with a mentor is recommended.

Application Deadline: Varies based on application

The UMB AMPLIFY program is a two-year mentored research training opportunity for recent graduates from underrepresented groups in biomedical sciences, preparing them for top graduate programs and careers in cancer research. Participants receive competitive salary, health benefits, tuition support, travel funding for conferences, and resources for GRE preparation.

Application Deadline: February 15, 2025

The LIT GEO (Leading Inclusive Transformation in Geoscience) post-baccalaureate and master’s bridge programs aim to broaden representation and foster meaningful change in the geoscience community through community-based research. Participants will work with a multi-institutional team from East Carolina University, North Carolina Central University, the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo, and community organizations, receiving training, mentorship, and professional development while engaging in societal-relevant projects. The program offers competitive financial support, including stipends for tuition, living expenses, and health insurance, with preference given to candidates from underrepresented groups in geoscience.

Application Deadline: February 15, 2025

The AAMC Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program database provides a comprehensive list of postbac programs across the U.S. designed to help individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree but need additional coursework or experiences to prepare for medical school. It serves as a resource for students seeking to enhance their qualifications for medical school applications. It’s important to note that not all, or potentially any, of these programs offer paid opportunities, so students should carefully review each program’s specific details.

Application Deadline: Varies

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) offers four unique programs for recent graduates to launch their careers in public service. These programs include:

The Recent Graduates Program: Provides developmental experiences and training to recent graduates, with opportunities for permanent positions within the DoD.
The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program: A prestigious program designed for individuals with advanced degrees, offering leadership development and training across federal agencies.
The Pathways Internship Program: Aimed at current students, it offers paid internships that lead to potential full-time positions with the DoD after graduation.
The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program: Offers financial assistance for STEM students in exchange for service within the DoD after completing their degree. These programs are designed to provide a range of opportunities for career growth, leadership development, and hands-on experience in various fields within the DoD.

Application Deadline: Varies

This database offers a range of internships and fellowships for both undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in U.S. foreign policy, providing opportunities to work alongside experts in various fields like policy, IT, and engineering. Through these programs, you can gain valuable experience, explore new career paths, and develop skills while contributing to U.S. diplomacy and global interests.

Application Deadline: Varies

ProFellow is a comprehensive online database designed to help individuals find fellowships, grants, and other professional development opportunities across a wide range of fields, including education, research, the arts, and public service. The site provides detailed listings of fellowship programs worldwide, offering information about eligibility, application requirements, deadlines, and more to help users navigate and apply for relevant opportunities to advance their careers.

Application Deadline: Varies

The Pathways Recent Graduates Program offers developmental experiences in the federal government to individuals who have recently graduated, with the potential for conversion to a permanent Civil Service position. Applicants must apply within two years of degree completion, or up to six years for veterans, and the program lasts one year, with possible extensions based on training needs.

Pre-Med, Pre-Dental, and Pre-Vet

The HBCU-Bridge Summer Research Opportunity Program immerses undergraduate students from local HBCUs in biomedical research in microbiology and immunology, offering hands-on lab experience, professional development, and the option to continue for credit at NCCU or return for a second summer. Hosted by UNC’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, students receive housing, a $6,000 stipend, and the opportunity to apply for a travel grant to present at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) conference.

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025

EDGE Genomics is a unique two-year summer program at UNC that offers training in genomics research, career education, and mentoring to diverse undergraduate students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. The program combines foundational genomics knowledge in Year 1 with hands-on research experience in Year 2, culminating in an independent research project and a strong network of peers and mentors.

Application Deadline: February 17, 2025

The Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) virtual half-day program, led by faculty and students, provides an opportunity for those considering graduate studies in occupational therapy to learn about the field and how it’s taught at Duke. The program offers two sessions in the summer.

The S.E.P. Program at UNC Chapel Hill is an eight-week academic enrichment opportunity for first-generation, rural, and socioeconomically disadvantaged rising sophomores and juniors aiming for Medical or Dental School. Scholars receive lodging, a stipend, and educational supplies while engaging in over 150 hours of instruction, workshops, professional shadowing, and specialized experiences like suturing or dental laboratory courses.

Application Deadline: March 9, 2025 at 9 p.m.

Banfield Pet Hospital is offering a part-time summer NextVet™ internship for students interested in veterinary care, providing paid work experience and the opportunity to shadow veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Interns will gain hands-on experience in veterinary hospitals, participate in virtual industry sessions, and receive mentorship from Banfield leaders while supporting the mission of A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS™.

Contact: [email protected]