Undergraduate Summer Field Experiences
Applications are now open for Summer 2025. Apply here by March 12th!
Are you a UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate looking to learn how to conduct cutting-edge research in a global setting? Are you interested in gaining hands-on field experience allowing you to advance science and conservation efforts? Do you aspire to gain knowledge and leadership skills to address global challenges? If so, this new program may be for you!
Applications are now open for UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduates of all disciplines to apply for the Summer 2025 Galapagos Field Experiences. This program will allow students to conduct research in the unique ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands, integrating classroom, field, and lab opportunities. Students will gain new knowledge around topics such as climate change, clean oceans, biodiversity, and human health and community resilience, be trained in research methodology, and apply these lessons both in the cutting-edge laboratories of the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) and directly in the field.
Selected students will work with local undergraduates from our partner university, Universidad San Francisco de Quito’s (USFQ), campus in Galapagos Islands. Participants will be led in the classroom, lab, and field by faculty from UNC, USFQ, and staff from the GSC.
Program Details
Selected students will be part of a 4-week program consisting of a week of classroom training in field methods and research followed by 3 weeks in the field conducting hands-on research in physical, biological, and social sciences. Students will also have an opportunity to attend part of the Galapagos Research & Conservation Symposium to hear global researchers from UNC, USFQ, and other institutions share their research findings with the local community.
July 5th and 6th – Students arrive in San Cristobal, Galapagos
Week of July 7th – Instruction on training methods
Week of July 14th – Fieldwork + ability to attend part of the Symposium
Week of July 21st – Fieldwork
Week of July 28th – Fieldwork; The last day of the program is August 1st
Application Process, Eligibility, and Stipend/Benefits
We are seeking applications from UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines for Summer 2025. Students from any academic program who are continuing at UNC in Fall 2026 are eligible to apply. Selected students will be fully funded including airfare, lodging, meals, and research supplies and will be supported by funding from the Royal Caribbean Group.
Interested candidates should fill out this application by March 12th, with interviews for finalists expected to be conducted mid-March and decisions by the end of March. Please note that a CV/resume is also required for your application to be considered.
