About the Program

The Geophysical Laboratory (GL), a department of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, a nonprofit scientific research institution located in Washington DC, has been a leader in earth science research and education since its founding. The goal of our Summer Scholars program is to provide eligible undergraduate students with a participatory introduction to scientific research. Students may carry out fundamental investigations in experimental petrology, mineralogy, mineral physics, crystallography, chemistry, or condensed matter physics, the unifying theme being studies at extreme conditions of pressure and/or temperature. During the ten-week summer program, undergraduate students will conduct an individual research project with guidance from a GL staff member. The summer program starts June 1, 2015 and ends August 7, 2015. This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Carnegie-DOE Alliance Center, which is headquartered at the Geophysical Laboratory.

There is a $4,600 stipend for completion of the ten-week program. In addition to the stipend, housing is provided. All students will be housed in dormitories at American University, about 1.5 miles from Carnegie’s Broad Branch Campus, where the Geophysical Laboratory is located. Our campus can easily be reached from AU using D.C.’s METRO bus system. Participants will also receive support toward round trip travel expenses to Washington DC.

Eligibility

Undergraduate students pursuing a degree in geoscience, physics, chemistry, materials science, biology or a related field, who are considering scientific research as a potential career, are encouraged to apply. To be eligible to participate in the program, students must have completed at least 30 semester-hour credits by the start of the summer program, and be either citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Graduating seniors are not eligible to apply.

Submitting an application

Interested parties will need to submit a 500 word essay on your scientific interests, two letters of recommendation, and an official college transcript. Applications for the 2015 program are due by February 28, 2015.  To submit an application, CLICK HERE.  Only complete applications submitted via this website will be considered.

Prospective summer scholars will work at the Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution, Washington, DC. The Carnegie Institution of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of gender, race/ethnicity, protected veteran status, disability, or other protected group status.