Students may be interested in applying for international research opportunities through the Division of Global Engagement or funded by the National Science Foundation, individual universities, or private foundations. Below is a sample of some types of available global research and experiential education opportunities.
Students should contact their individual departments about the possibilities of applying international research experiences to credit and requirements in their major.
UO Credit-Based Programs
Global Education Oregon (GEO) Lab and Field Research programs
Lab or field research focused programs provide students with hands-on research experiences while being immersed in a global city and university. Programs vary in length from one summer term to a full year exchange program. Apply through GEO.
Global Education Oregon (GEO) programs for STEM majors
Students majors in sciences are welcome to apply for global programs that vary in length from one summer term to a full year exchange program. Apply through GEO.
GlobalWorks International Internships
Students can apply for a placement engaged in lab or field research-based internship in one of the many cities where GlobalWorks provides credit-based student internships. Apply through GlobalWorks
External opportunities
These programs are not sponsored by the University of Oregon and students should apply directly through the individual program websites.
Amgen Scholars Asia Program
The Amgen Scholars Program provides hundreds of selected undergraduate students with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on research experience at many of the world’s leading educational institutions. The Program seeks to increase learning and networking opportunities for students committed to pursuing science or engineering careers and to spark the interest and broaden the perspective of students considering scientific careers. Students should apply directly through the Amgen Scholars Asia Program website.
CERN Summer Student Programs
The CERN Summer Student Programs offer undergraduate students a chance to join CERN in Geneva – getting involved in the day-to-day work of our multicultural teams. Students attend lectures, visit CERN facilities, take part in discussions and workshops with people who are leaders in their fields. Students should apply directly through the CERN website.
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals
The US Department of State Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals program offers two months of intensive German language training in Germany (no prior German language knowledge required), four months of classroom instruction at a German university or college of applied sciences, and a five-month internship in each participant’s career field. Students should apply directly through the US Department of State website.
US Department of Energy (DoE)and the National Institute for Nuclear Physics - Italy (INFN) Student Exchange Program
INFN is one of the leading organization worldwide promoting basic scientific research and has tight connections with DOE activities in many areas of interest: Particle Physics, Astroparticle Physics, Nuclear Physics, Theoretical Physics and Detector Physics. The program is dedicated to the exchange of US and Italian students in science and engineering. Students should apply directly through the program website.
EuroScholars
A unique research abroad program designed for advanced and talented undergraduate students from US and Canadian institutions looking for an international research experience. Students should apply directly through the EuroScholars website.
National Science Funded – International Research Experiences for Students (IRES)
The IRES program offers international research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students. Participants are mentored by researchers at a foreign lab, allowing them to build their professional network. IRES opportunities usually involve small groups of students who travel to a host institution for a summer-length research project. Individual applications deadlines and location vary each year. Programs can be searched here with the filter “IRES”. A full list of NSF-funded programs is available.
Pasteur Foundation Undergraduate Internship Program
The Pasteur Foundation Summer Internship Program provides US citizens, entering their Senior year of undergraduate studies, the rare opportunity to work on supervised research projects at the Institut Pasteur. The Foundation’s goal is to encourage and inspire students in the pursuit of a scientific career and to expose them to an international laboratory experience. Students should apply directly through the Foundation website.
Think Swiss Research Scholarship
The ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship opens doors to the world of Swiss academia, which combines a high quality curriculum with innovative thinking. This program is designed for students who are enrolled at a US or Canadian university and who have completed their sophomore year. The scholarship is open to students from all fields if they have an acceptance letter from a professor at a Swiss university for a research stay in their group. Students should apply directly through the Think Swiss website.
University of Tokyo Research Internship Program
UTRIP is an intensive summer research program targeted at undergraduates who have a keen interest in pursuing an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in the future. During the program, the participants receive intensive instruction and guidance on conducting research from renowned faculty members belonging to the GSS's five departments of physics, astronomy, chemistry, earth & planetary science, and biological sciences. Students should apply directly through the UTRIP website.