About NHRE

The mission of NHRE is to train the next generation of natural history leaders and offer promising undergraduates with few research opportunities the chance to fulfill their potential by working on a research project in the natural history disciplines.

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.

Benefits:

• 10 Weeks of research experience
• $8000 stipend
• Up to $800 in travel support to and from Washington DC
• Free summer housing
• Professional mentorship with worldclass scientists
• $1500 in conference participation support upon successful completion of NHRE program

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 17, 2025.

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.