Programs and Opportunities for STEM Students

Learn about research experiences for undergraduates (REUs), fellowships, post-baccalaureate programs, and post-doctoral programs, and when you might apply for one in your academic career.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs)

An REU provides undergraduate students with opportunities to gain research skills by working on a research project under the guidance of a mentor. Some provide pay (stipend), housing, and travel. Many REUs are held in the summer semester with applications opening in early fall.

Find your next REU!

Portrait of Daniel Faronbi smiling at the camera.
Video: Daniel Faronbi, PhD student in Music Technology, New York University (NYU) shares their experience in a post-baccalaureate program.

Post-Baccalaureate

A post-baccalaureate (post-bacc) program provides recent college graduates with support to further explore their field and interests while gaining valuable skills. These programs are completed after graduation but prior to graduate school enrollment and include training, enrichment activities, and preparation to aid students in their transition to professional or graduate programs. Many are typically one-year programs with some being paid experiences.

Explore Post-Bacc opportunities

Portrait of Queenster Nartey smiling at the camera.
Video: Queenster Nartey, Clinical Research Coordinator, Northwestern University – The Fienberg School of Medicine, shares her post-bacc experience.

Fellowship

A fellowship is a competitive award that provides short-term funding while graduate students, under the guidance of a mentor, gain exposure and experience to further their academic interests.

Explore Fellowship opportunities!

Portrait of Lizeth Tamayo smiling at the camera.
Video: Lizeth Tamayo, PhD Candidate in Genetic Epidemiology, University of Chicago, shares her fellowship experience.

Post-Doctoral

A post-doc is a short-term position for recent doctoral graduates that provides continued training under a mentor. This is when many determine their specialization.

Explore post-doc opportunities

Portrait of Nathalie Fuentes smiling at the camera.
Video: Nathalie Fuentes, PhD, Senior Scientist, AstraZeneca, shares her post-doctoral experience.