Inclusive Student Training in Collections and field-based Topics (InSTInCT) REU Program 

Program Dates: June 5 - July 28, 2023

THE 2023 APPLICATION CYCLE HAS NOW CLOSED. Applicants will be notified of their status by mid-March.

Program Description

Inclusive Student Training in Collections and field-based Topics REU Program is an 8-week summer research program that provides undergraduates an opportunity to conduct cutting-edge scientific research on the diversity of life and organisms in their natural environment. Students are matched with a faculty mentor based on research interests and are given access and exposure to the wealth of resources and facilities that UT Austin has to offer. Participants receive a $4,000 summer stipend, a travel voucher, and room and board at UT Austin. 

A central theme of InSTInCT is to broaden the participation of historically excluded groups in the natural sciences. Program participants partake in an inclusive professional development curriculum that highlights careers in the biodiversity sciences, applying to graduate school, and thriving as a scientist. 

InSTInCT students will have multiple opportunities to engage with the broader community of field- and collections-based researchers at UT through weekly socials, grad student mentors, facility tours, and field trips. The program will culminate in a research symposium where InSTInCT students will present their summer research to the UT community. You can learn more about the experiences of past InSTInCT Scholars on this Biodiversity Center blog.

This program is made possible through the Stengl-Wyer Endowment.

Mentors

Students have the opportunity to work with faculty from various departments at the University of Texas at Austin. In Summer 2023, the following faculty have agreed to serve as mentors on student research projects:

Location

The University of Texas at Austin is the flagship school of the University of Texas System and one of the biggest and best research universities in the world. Our Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior graduate program is ranked 8th in Ecology / Evolutionary Biology according to U.S. News & World Report (2022 ed.). 

Austin, the state’s capital, is an eclectic, diverse city known for its live music, barbeque, breakfast tacos, and the world’s largest urban bat colony. You will get an opportunity to explore Austin and the surrounding area throughout the summer, in addition to field trips to other regions of Texas.

Note on COVID-19: While we hope to host the REU in-person, we will abide by University guidelines, meaning that the program may be held virtually. Regardless of format, we are committed to your success. Students are encouraged to apply regardless of whether or not they are able to travel for an in-person research experience.

Eligibility

Any undergraduate student enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year degree program is eligible, and students from underrepresented populations are encouraged to apply. The National Science Foundation defines underrepresented populations in biology as those that identify as first-generation college students, women, persons with disabilities, and/or represent Black, Hispanic, LatinX, and Indigenous groups.

How to apply

Applications are now closed. Applicants will be notified of their status in mid-March. The application to apply was February 1, 2023. 

In addition to some demographic information, you will be asked several questions, described below. We highly recommend that you prepare answers to these questions in a word document and copy your answers into the application form:

1. List up to 6 relevant college-level courses that you have completed or enrolled in.

2. Briefly describe your scientific and research interests, career goals, and what you hope to gain by participating in the program (3,000 characters or less).

3. Previous experience applying to and/or participating in a research training program.

FAQ - Any questions can be directed to mkemp[at]austin[dot]utexas[dot]edu