| NCAUR Student Internships |
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We are accepting applications for the 2025 NCAUR Student Intern Program:
12 AM, Wednesday, December 18, 2025
through
12 PM (noon), Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Link to student application: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=5zZb7e4BvE6GfuA8-g1Gl9edW0yCFfhPufjtzFEnZotUOUhHNktEVUM2MjVURjJBNkk3RElDRDhUUy4u
Link to submit a recommendation: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=5zZb7e4BvE6GfuA8-g1Gl9edW0yCFfhPufjtzFEnZotUMlFUVzNYWUVLOUNKOVMzVU1WNEYwMVIyVy4u
The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research is excited to announce the return of the NCAUR Student Intern Program for the year 2025. NCAUR is committed to training student researchers and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in STEM.
Are you an aspiring student researcher who wants to utilize their interest in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) field to help make a difference in the world? Then the NCAUR Student Intern Program hosted by the USDA – ARS – NCAUR in Peoria, IL wants you!
When you join the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR) Summer Intern Program (NSIP), you’ll be part of one of seven distinct research units that tackle agriculture’s biggest questions using a variety of interdisciplinary approaches.
Each NSIP student is mentored by a research scientist who guides them in a specific research area underpinning one of the USDA’s diverse missions. All participants will develop necessary laboratory skills to design and perform a research project, organize, and present their findings, participate in weekly workshops focused on career preparation and development, enhance their professional network and so much more. Prior research lab experience is not necessary, as all new techniques will be taught to you, but an enthusiasm for science is essential!
The NSIP program is a full-time, 8-week, paid internship open to college students who have completed two or more college semesters. Students will receive a biweekly Federal General Schedule (GS) 3 wage, about $1,200.00 gross, and are responsible for their own housing and transportation to and from work. Affordable housing is available through Bradley University, which is approximately 1 mile away from the NCAUR campus and along a main public bus route. The 2025 NSIP program will run May 27, 2025 through July 18, 2025.
Ready to Apply?
Requirements
- Applicants must have completed at least two semesters of college by the start of the internship
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered with Selective Service
- Successful adjudication of fingerprint check by designated date (date to be announced)
- Must be a U.S. citizen
GS 3 Requirements:
Successful completion of at least 1 year of study that includes at least 6 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics.
This is not a Pathways Internship. USDA/ARS is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
Application Materials
- Student Application Form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=5zZb7e4BvE6GfuA8-g1Gl9edW0yCFfhPufjtzFEnZotUOUhHNktEVUM2MjVURjJBNkk3RElDRDhUUy4u
- Submit cover letter, resume, and transcript (see below) via email to Erica Goett (erica.goett@usda.gov)
- Cover letter: Express why you are interested in an internship at NCAUR
- Resume
- Official transcript: You may submit an unofficial transcript with your application, but an official transcript will be needed no later than one week after a tentative offer has been accepted
- Have one STEM professor fill out the recommendation form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=5zZb7e4BvE6GfuA8-g1Gl9edW0yCFfhPufjtzFEnZotUMlFUVzNYWUVLOUNKOVMzVU1WNEYwMVIyVy4u
Examples of previous summer interns who participated in the NCAUR Internship Program
"I really liked how open and friendly everybody was. Even though this building is full of introverts, everyone I talked to was incredibly nice and didn't make me feel stupid for asking a MILLION different questions. Both about what I was doing with my research, as well as their path to getting here and other career advice."
"Having 1 student to a lab was the right call. For me, it gave me the opportunity to really be immersed in the experience because I had that continual one-on-one."
"I think that being allowed to do research was the coolest part about this internship. I thought that I would barely be able to do anything but in reality I had days where my SY told me a task and I followed the instructions and made my plates and streaked my colonies. It was nice to know that we could actually work in the lab and do hands on experience because I have not had this kind of opportunity."
"Thank you so much for giving me a great experience with the USDA and chemistry jobs in general. This was my first time working in a science field, although I've wanted to for a while. This will be insanely helpful for my future and I cannot thank you enough."
"I genuinely appreciate this experience. I've seen this building a million times and wondered what was happening inside. I would have never guessed a giant government think tank."
