The University of Florida will offer an International Research Experiences for Undergraduate Students Program funded by the National Science Foundation during the summers of 2023, 2024, and 2025. In this 10-week summer program, students will conduct research in conservation science in southwest China.
Apply for the 2025 cycle! Application due by January 3, 2025
This IRES program will provide U.S. undergraduate students a rare opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research on human-wildlife feedbacks in a biodiversity hotspot in southwestern China. Students will work with U.S. PIs from the University of Florida and experts at China West Normal University in Sichuan, China.
Students will have the opportunity to conduct independent research projects broadly related to the topic of coupled human and wildlife systems. Possible projects could include but are not limited to (1) analysis of existing infrared camera trapping imagery and GIS data on wildlife and other natural resources collected from giant panda habitat, (2) sampling of greater Nanchong city’s scenic areas for water quality, microbial communities, wildlife abundance, and disturbance, and (3) semi-structured interviews of local communities. The diverse collection of interrelated projects will give students the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of subject areas (e.g., wildlife ecology, behavioral ecology, molecular biology, microbial ecology, human dimensions of wildlife) as they tackle key questions that shape cutting-edge development of interdisciplinary and systems-level research on wildlife conservation.
Student participants will gain soft skills and have career building opportunities through professional development workshops offered during the program. While abroad, students will also have a rare opportunity to be immersed in Chinese culture and expand their worldviews, in turn better preparing them to join the global internationalized workforce. For more background about the research, see lab websites of Dr. Hull and Dr. Fujimoto.
Program Dates: May 27-August 3
The first week will be spent in the program orientation in Gainesville, FL and the remainder will be in China.
Students will receive:
$500 in weekly stipend (for 10 weeks) Weekly food expenses covered Housing expenses covered Travel and visa costs covered
Undergraduate students from any university who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents are invited to apply. Students from underrepresented backgrounds and minority groups are especially encouraged to apply. Students should be at a freshman, sophomore, or junior level at the time of application. Students need to have a valid passport valid up until December 31, 2025.
To Apply
Send the following application materials in email attachments to [email protected]by January 3, 2025:
1. Answers to 3 short essay questions:
What would you hope to get out of this program? (250 words) What are your career goals? (250 words) Why China? (250 words)
2. cv/resume
3. Pdf of your transcript (unofficial)
4. Names/emails of 2 people who agree to write reference letters if contacted by us