Undergraduate Student Opportunities
Events and opportunities appearing in the NSM Undergraduate Update will be listed on this page. New listings are added regularly.
Events
The 91ÁÔĆć community is invited to Innov8 Hub StartUp Pitch Day on Monday, Dec. 15, from 4 to 7 PM at the Innovation Center at UH Technology Bridge (Building 4). The event showcases the culminating work of participants in Innov8 Hub’s Innovators to Founders program, a three-month accelerator that helps academic researchers turn their discoveries into viable companies through coaching, mentorship and commercialization support.
More than a pitch competition, the evening offers a front-row view of Houston’s innovation energy—featuring bold ideas, early-stage ventures and a community of founders, mentors and supporters ready to connect. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the innovators behind the concepts and network with members of the region’s startup ecosystem while enjoying light bites and drinks.
Join us as we celebrate creativity, collaboration and the entrepreneurial spirit.
Tutoring
NSM’s Scholar Enrichment Program (SEP) offers free tutoring to UH students enrolled in the courses listed on the Scholar Enrichment Program Tutor Schedule. Tutoring is available for:
- Biology II
- General Biochemistry I, II
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Chemistry I, II
- Organic Chemistry I, II
- General Physics I, II
- College Algebra
- Precalculus
- Calculus I, II, III
- Intro to Programming
- Data Structures
- Computer Science & Programming
- University Physics I, II
Learn more about the tutoring centers available through the various NSM departments.
Undergraduate Research
Are you interested in doing research as an undergraduate? NSM’s Outside Undergraduate Research Opportunities page lists multiple opportunities outside UH. Opportunities are categorized as in Houston, in Texas and out of state. Here are just a few examples of the 30+ opportunities listed on the page:
- Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- Baylor College of Medicine SMART Program
- NASA DEVELOP National Program
- Department of Energy Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships
- Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) - Other Universities (comprehensive list of NSF-funded REU programs nationwide)
Additional resources and information about finding research opportunities on campus can be found in NSM’s Undergraduate Research webpages.
Northwestern University is accepting applications for its nine-week Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Nanotechnology—an opportunity often described as the best summer job you’ll ever have. The program immerses undergraduates in hands-on nanotechnology research while providing access to world-class laboratories, mentorship and professional development.
Participants will work full time on a faculty-mentored research project and gain experience using advanced instrumentation. The program also includes research seminars, field trips, team-building activities and training aimed at strengthening public speaking and technical writing skills. Students from large and small institutions across the country are encouraged to apply.
Each REU participant receives a $6,300 stipend, round-trip airfare, a meal plan and on-campus housing.
Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Undergraduate major in engineering or the sciences
- At least one year remaining in your degree program
Application Deadline: February 9, 2026
Contact: Margaret Connolly - m-connolly@northwestern.edu
This program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
Careers & Career Fairs
Have you ever considered teaching? The teachHOUSTON Program is an NSM Capstone that prepares mathematics and science majors to teach grades 7–12! While in the program, you will receive quality hands-on mentoring via convenient online instruction that will prepare you to be a successful teacher.
Qualifications for Program:
- Classified as a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior
- Received a grade of B or above in Calculus I, and
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5
Your journey begins with the first course, Introduction to STEM Teaching (CUIN 4397). View the teachHOUSTON Course Sequence for an overview about how math and science majors move through the program.
Scholarship Opportunities and Alternative Certification Pathway
- Advancing Cultural and Computational Engagement in STEM Scholars (tH-ACCESS)
- Alternative Certification Pathway for STEM
Key Benefits of Joining teachHOUSTON
- Keep your major in math or science.
- Add a math/science teaching certificate with no added time.
- Meet your capstone requirement.
- Try out teaching with one class (Introduction to STEM Teaching-CUIN 4397).
- Seeking students from racially, ethnically, socially, and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
- Scholarships and paid internships are available.
- Job security and satisfaction.
- Average starting salary for teachers is $58,000.
- MAXIMIZE your potential with teachHOUSTON – College of Natural Science and Mathematics Teacher Prep Program!
Questions or to Schedule an Appointment: Email tHadvising@uh.edu
NSM is offering students a Career Readiness Certification through HireNSM called Pathways.
Pathways is a self-guided, virtual career readiness training program available to all NSM students. First-year and sophomore students are encouraged to begin their Pathways journey as the program is designed to help students develop their career readiness over the course of their time at UH.
Students can access Pathways by going to AccessUH > HireNSM > Resources, top-right tab > Pathways, box in the middle > Module I. The estimated time to complete Module I is under one hour.
Earn Rewards by Turning in Proof of Completion
Upon completion of each module, students will earn rewards by bringing their screen
shots or printouts of completed tasks to the Scholar Enrichment Program area in the basement of the M.D. Anderson Library, Room 56 on the first and last Tuesday of each month from 9 – 10 AM and 11 AM – 4 PM. Students
who complete all eight modules will receive a Career Readiness Certification.
K-Scholastic is hiring academic tutors to work with K–12 students in the Houston area. This is an in-person position, and applicants must have a personal vehicle.
Details:
- Minimum availability: Two evenings per week
- Starting pay: $30/hour, with increases based on experience
- Location: Various in-person sites in the Houston area
How to Apply:
Email your résumé and a brief statement of interest to reports@kscholastic.com or complete .
Internships/Fellowships
The Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE NNSA) will host an informational webinar for prospective applicants to the Stewardship Science Graduate Fellowship (SSGF) and the Laboratory Residency Graduate Fellowship (LRGF). The session is designed to help students understand both doctoral programs, navigate the application process, and ask questions during a live Q&A.
Webinar Details:
Wednesday, December 10, 1 PM CT
This one-hour Zoom session will cover program overviews, application guidance, and key differences between the fellowships. A recording will be available on both fellowship websites on or by Dec. 15.
Program Benefits & Comparison Tools:
Participants are encouraged to review the SSGF/LRGF Comparison Matrix to help determine which fellowship best aligns with their academic and research interests.
Additional Resources:
- SSGF: and the current 11Ă—17 fellowship poster
- LRGF: and the current 11Ă—17 fellowship poster
- Both Programs: Annual featuring research by fellows and alumni
Program History & Community:
The DOE NNSA SSGF began in 2006, followed by the LRGF in 2018. Today, 38 fellows represent 18 institutions nationwide, and 108 alumni work across industry, academia, nonprofit organizations, DOE laboratories, and other
government agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Each summer, recipients from both programs
convene to present research, build collaborations, and explore current challenges
and innovations in stewardship science.
Questions?:
Attend the webinar, visit the program websites, or contact fellowship staff via email.
(BNL) is now accepting applications for its Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program—offering hands-on research opportunities in a multidisciplinary national lab environment.
Program Opportunities:
- SULI: 16-week full-time internships in fall/spring
- Stipend: $650 per full-time internship week
- Housing and round-trip travel provided for eligible students (50+ miles from BNL)
BNL describes itself as “your scientific home away from home,” giving students the chance to work alongside top researchers on projects addressing real-world challenges across disciplines such as energy and photon sciences, environmental science, biology, nuclear science, quantum information science, computing, and more.
Eligibility:
- Enrolled in a U.S. college or university
- Completed at least one semester
- At least 18 years old by program start
- U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- REAL ID or passport required for on-site access
Program Benefits:
- Work directly with laboratory scientists, engineers, and technicians
- Contribute to impactful research projects
- Weekly stipend, housing, and travel support for qualifying students
Program Dates (Summer 2026 at BNL):
- Start: June 1
- End: August 7
Apply by: January 7, 2026, at 5 PM ET
For more information, . Applications are now open!
Scholarships
The British American Foundation of Texas is a nonprofit that supports young Texans through enabling access to education.
We offer an all expenses paid UK based summer STEM Program for HS Juniors and college scholarships for HS Seniors and college students.
All programs are for low-income students in Texas with great potential.
Applications are open now - please click below for more information and to apply. If you would like us to visit your school or college to present our opportunities, or if you have any questions, .
for STEM and Business majors at 2 or 4 year public colleges in Texas.
Other Opportunities
The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), a top-ranked institution under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, offers a wide selection of international degree and non-degree programs designed to attract students from around the world. As shown across the international prospectus and program guides, USTC is recognized for its strength in quantum science, materials science, chemistry, engineering, computer science, energy science, and life sciences, with 38 undergraduate programs, 78 master’s programs and 89 doctoral programs available.
Why Study at USTC
According to the prospectus (page 2), USTC is a member of the C9 League and ranks
among the top universities in China and globally. It features world-class faculty,
major national research facilities, and institutes located in Hefei, Shanghai, Suzhou,
Nanjing, Guangzhou and Beijing. USTC stands out for:
- Highly ranked global research output (top 5 in China per U.S. News Rankings and ARWU subject rankings)
- Extensive scientific infrastructure including the Hefei Advanced Light Facility and quantum information research centers
- A diverse international community with students from more than 100 countries
Degree Programs
The full range of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs (pages 6–8) spans
natural sciences, engineering, computer science, and humanities/social sciences. Many
programs can be completed in English, and competitive USTC Fellowships are available
for tuition, accommodation subsidies, medical insurance and monthly stipends.
International Programs in Suzhou
USTC’s Suzhou campus hosts specialized graduate offerings such as the Master of Software
Engineering and doctoral programs in biomedical engineering and nanoscience. Program
highlights include industry collaboration opportunities and proximity to key research
institutes within the Suzhou Industrial Park. (Pages 9–10)
Non-Degree Programs
USTC also provides short-term academic and research experiences (pages 11–12), including:
- Research Internship Program: 3 months to 1 year, open to graduate students and upper-level undergraduates; includes tuition waivers, health insurance and stipends for select applicants.
- Summer School: Four-week program featuring scientific lectures, lab visits, and Chinese cultural activities.
- Winter Camp: Two-week academic and cultural immersion program with Chinese language instruction, campus tours and visits to major scientific facilities.
Each program offers USTC Fellowship support covering tuition, accommodation subsidies and, in some cases, travel support.
How to Apply
Application portals and deadlines vary by program:
- Degree programs: Online application from Oct. 16, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026.
- Non-degree programs: Deadlines vary; applications must be submitted at least three months before the intended start date.
The Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine is now accepting applications for the 2026 SOAR Program—Shadowing Opportunity and Application Resource—designed for undergraduates interested in pursuing a medical career. The program offers hands-on exposure to clinical environments while helping students build meaningful connections with practicing physicians. Placements emphasize primary care and psychiatry, with opportunities to shadow professionals in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB-GYN and psychiatry.
From June 1–26, 2026, participants will take part in clinical shadowing across Houston and attend workshops focused on preparing for medical school, including MCAT study skill development. The program also provides advising resources to strengthen medical school applications.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Rising junior (beginning junior year in August 2026)
- Enrolled at UH, UH-Downtown, Texas Southern University or Prairie View A&M University
- Reference contact (professor)
- Personal statement
- CV
- Unofficial transcript
- Proof of COVID vaccination
A reference letter request is automatically sent upon submission; letters are due Jan. 23, 2026.
Application Period:
December 8 at 12 AM – December 19 at 11:59 PM
Questions?
Ashley Schwartz – adschwartz@central.uh.edu | 713-743-6895
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine have established a new opportunity for students pursuing careers in healthcare.
Through this partnership, graduates of NSM’s Master of Science in Biology with a Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Sciences program who meet specific academic and admissions criteria will receive automatic interview invitations for admission to the Fertitta Family College of Medicine.
Designed to better prepare students for professional degree programs in medicine, dentistry, and allied health fields, the one-year master’s program provides advanced coursework, research and internship experiences, and individualized advising.
For program details and eligibility requirements, visit NSM’s Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program webpage.
The Improving Access to Career and Educational Development (I-ACED) program provides financial, academic, and professional support for students pursuing graduate degrees in engineering and STEM fields. Participants benefit from scholarships, mentorship, and hands-on research opportunities at Jackson State University, Prairie View A&M University, Rice University, Texas Southern University, and the U.S. Army Engineer Research & Development Center (ERDC).
Benefits Include:
- Up to $10,000 in tuition scholarships (limited full awards available at Rice University)
- Career development, mentorship, and peer support
- Internships or research experiences at ERDC or partner institutions
- Paid research rotations and scholar engagement activities
- All-expenses-paid tour of ERDC facilities
Areas of Study:
- Digital Twinning
- Biotechnology
- Sustainability and Resilience
Eligibility:
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or admitted refugees accepted
into a participating graduate program and demonstrate financial need (via FAFSA).
Fall 2025 Info Sessions:
- Dec. 18, 3:30–4 PM CST
- Applications for Fall 2026 are open through April 15, 2026. Early submission is encouraged.
For questions, contact Lesia Guinn (Program Manager) at lesia.guinn@rice.edu or Dr. Maria Wettergreen (Program Director) at mwettergreen@rice.edu.