Researchers at the University of Virginia (UVA), University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), and the University of Kansas (KU) are seeking 2-4 undergraduate students, especially from underrepresented groups, to join a Coastal-Heartland Marine Biology Summer Research Exchange Program.

The ten-week program involves five weeks (June – July) getting hands-on exposure to marine biology systems and data through UVA or UCSB, followed by four weeks (July – Aug) at KU learning data analytic approaches and applying them to data from marine systems. Students will carry out their own research projects with the assistance of project staff. The final week of the program will take place at the annual Ecological Society of America meeting, in August in Long Beach, CA, where students will get broad exposure to the field of ecology and to ecological research.

Students will be paid a stipend of $6200. Housing costs, flights or other transport to and from the sites, and conference fees will also be provided.

Review of applications will begin 2/19/2024. We will continue to accept applications until positions are filled.

The main purpose of the program is to orient students to the fields of ecology and marine biology, to provide research experience, and to encourage the realization that these fields can provide excellent and fascinating career possibilities for students from a wide range of backgrounds. A strong curiosity about natural systems is more important for success in this program than specific background knowledge. Students from backgrounds underrepresented in ecological and marine research are especially encouraged to apply.

University of Virginia Environmental Sciences Department
Virginia Coast Reserve Long-Term Ecological Research
UC Santa Barbara Marine Sciences Institute
Santa Barbara Channel Long-Term Ecological Research project
University of Kansas Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Kansas Center for Ecological Research