About NHRE

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Smithsonian Institution, hosts a world-class research staff and unparalleled scientific research collections. NHRE summer internships pair undergraduates with museum scientists to complete a research project in Anthropology, Botany, Entomology, Invertebrate Zoology, Mineral Science, Paleobiology, or Vertebrate Zoology. Although most of the internship time is spent working on the research project, there are additional events including lectures, tours of museum collections, and other activities related to natural history research.

The NMNH is located on the National Mall in the heart of Washington DC. The program runs for 10 weeks starting the day after Memorial Day. Participating students will receive a stipend of $8,000, and up to $800 for travel to the DC area. We also cover housing at the George Washington University dorms in single-occupancy rooms.

Previous research experience is not required, and we encourage applications from minorities and members of other groups underrepresented in the sciences. The application deadline is January 30, 2024.

Questions about NHRE?  Contact us at NHRE@si.edu

Funding for this REU site is provided by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Earth Sciences located in Arlington, VA. The NSF contact for this program is Aisha Morris. NSF does not handle REU applications; you must apply to NHRE directly.