Answers
to your questions
UNDERGRADUATE
STATUS
The
Research Training Program is limited to undergraduate
college students who are pursuing natural history
related disciplines and have course work, skills
and background sufficient to support the project
selected.
While many programs define the term "undergraduate"
to include students who will be graduating just
prior to the start of the summer program and students
who have recently graduated (within one year),
the Research Training Program is no longer accepting
for placement students who are no longer currently
enrolled in their first undergraduate degree.
To be eligible for participation in the RTP students
must be returning for as least one semester of
course work as an undergraduate following their
RTP summer.
High
school students, graduate students, and students
who have completed their Master's or Ph.D. are
not eligible for this program. There are many
other
opportunities at the Smithsonian for research
and study.
ENGLISH
PROFICIENCY
All
program activities will be presented in English
and student oral presentations and written reports
will be in English. We encourage students from
foreign countries to apply for participation in
the Research Training Program. However, all applicants
must be fluent in written and verbal English.
English proficiency will be confirmed by over-the-phone
interviews of finalist candidates.
NATURAL
HISTORY RELATED CAREER GOALS
The
ten-week summer session of the Research Training
Program is designed for undergraduate students
seeking a career in Anthropology, Botany, Entomology,
Invertebrate Zoology, Mineral Sciences and Geology,
Paleobiology or Vertebrate Zoology.
Natural history research at the NMNH includes
the biological, geological and anthropological
sciences. Biological scientists concentrate on
the study of classification, phylogeny and ecology
utilizing both contemporary and historical perspectives.
Museum geologists focus on investigations of earth
and planetary processes through the study of fundamental
properties of rock, minerals, and meteorites.
Anthropologists explore the cultural, biological,
and ecological aspects and impacts of humans and
their interaction with their environments.
Including more than just a research topic, the
Research Training Program is a diverse course
designed to introduce participants to all types
of natural history research through numerous activities.
All applicants selected for participation must
attend throughout the advertised dates and participate
in all scheduled events.
Due to the nature of the research projects, curriculum,
and competition for positions, students not dedicated
to a career in one of these disciplines are encouraged
to explore other programs for opportunities that
better suit their interests.
The
National Science Foundation Research Experiences
for Undergraduates program (REU)
supports a wide variety of research opportunities
for undergraduates to participate in many different
types of exciting research projects.
NSF
also offers many other links to a variety of programs
and fellowships opportunities. Please visit their
site directly for current information. Here are
several of the posted web links:
Web
Sites to Other Fellowship Opportunities
Federal
Non-Federal
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