General Information
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STPI) Internship Program offers undergraduate students, recent graduates, and beginning graduate students with the opportunity to conduct hands-on research at their laboratory in Panama. here, participants will not only get to learn more about fascinating projects in tropical research, but also engage directly with an international community of researchers!
The purpose of the STRI General Internship Program is to provide a place for internship applicants who are generally interested in STRI’s science to pursue a research experience with a scientific mentors based on their interests. Interns are selected based on merit and potential for achievement. Review the projects listed on our Internship Opportunities page to find a match between your academic interests and a suitable research project overseen by STRI scientists. If have troubles identifying a suitable project, you can learn more about our scientific staff and research associates scientific interests on their webpages.
This internship provides a stipend to cover living expenses while at STRI (currently $1,500/month for up to 3 months, a total amount of $4,500 for stipend) and a round-trip coach airfare. Partial awards are occasionally given depending on funding availability. Certain funds are especially designated to support Latin American scholars. This internship does not include any research allowances.
Additional details can be found in the STRI Program Guide.
Eligibility and Guidelines
- Undergraduates, recent graduates, and occasionally beginning Master's students.
- Application is open to all nationalities.
- Internships are open to all individuals who meet qualifications established for internships, without reference to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability.
Desired background and/ or qualifications may be specified on each project opportunity.
Application Details
- SOLAA Application Form
- Resume or CV
- A two-to-three-page statement of your interest in pursuing this position. Your statement is very important during application evaluations, and should mention the following points:
- Your past and present academic history and other experiences that you feel have prepared you for an internship, including living and working in the tropics.
- What do you hope to accomplish through an internship, and how it would relate to your academic and career goals.
- Describe what about the STRI Project opportunity particularly interests you and what do you hope learning during the internship. If you are interested in two projects, describe your interest in order of preference.
- Transcripts
- Two Letters of Reference
- Name of the proposed supervisor or mentor (name of a co-mentor/co-supervisor is optional).
- Select the project(s) title(s) from the list. Applicants may apply to two projects, but your top choice must be clearly written down on your essay.
- Respond to the questions on the application form:
- How does your perspective, experience, and/or project contribute to a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable discipline?
- What skills would you like to improve and how this internship could help you advance your career?
- How would you describe your professional identity (e.g., Biologist, Ecologist, Environmental Scientist, etc.) and expertise?
- Please describe your proficiency in English and Spanish.
The application deadlines are February 15th and September 15th of each year.
Details:
Research Offering Type
Internship
Source
External
Contact Information
fellows@si.edu