Become an Intern

Danforth interns gain exposure to all aspects of modern scientific research, from design to experimentation to reporting. See first-hand what it takes to become a world-class plant scientist, and the broader impact of scientific discovery.

Research Experience for Undergraduates

Fostering the next generation of plant scientists is critical to solving some of our planet’s biggest challenges. For ten weeks each summer, students in our Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) summer internship program are immersed in a rich research environment that lays the foundation for a career in plant science.

Our REU program gives students experience with all aspects of modern scientific research, from design to experimentation to reporting. Faculty mentors and staff provide insight into the personal qualities that make a good researcher, the process and training involved in becoming a scientist, and the broader impact of scientific discovery. The program is made possible through generous support from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

What You'll Do:

Throughout the internship, students will:

Gain hands-on experience in the lab and learn the use of a variety of technologies for research.
Work on a research project with their mentor. Visit our research areas page to learn more about our mentors and their specific research focus.
Attend workshops in the Center’s state-of-the-art core facilities, including Advanced Bioimaging Laboratory, Bellwether Phenotyping Facility, Data Science, Plant Growth Facility, Bioanalytical Chemistry Facility, and Plant Transformation Facility.
Participate in career pathway discussions with experienced researchers and take field trips to local universities and industries with plant or life science focuses.
Attend weekly seminars on issues related to biotechnology. These discussions are structured to give students insight into the social, political, and economic implications of current research—and to allow them to share their opinions, as well.
At the end of the summer session, each intern will present a summary of his/her research before an audience of scientific peers. A brief written report is also required and students will be carefully guided through the process of preparation of the written report and oral presentation. The presentation and report are a vital part of the education of young scientists.

What You'll Learn

Students from universities across the nation are matched with a scientist who is a senior researcher at the Danforth Center. Interns learn about a diverse set of research areas including:

Abiotic and Biotic Stress
Biofortification
Bioenergy
Bioinformatics and genomics
Bioremediation
Cell Biology
Cellular Signaling
Development
Enabling Technologies
Metabolic Pathways/Engineering
Structural Biology
Translational Plant Science

Learn more about our Research Areas and the cutting-edge research our Principal Investigators are doing within each area.

Before You Apply

Program Dates and Application Announcements

The application window for the 2025 REU Summer Program is November 21, 2024 through February 3, 2025 11:59 PM ET.

2025 REU Summer Program dates: May 27, 2025 – August 1, 2025

If you have questions, please email: reuinternship@danforthcenter.org.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to access the information provided on this web site, please contact People and Culture, at 314-587-1033 for further assistance.

Application Checklist

To apply for the Danforth Center’s REU opportunity, please first create an account on the NSF ETAP website here.

Below is a list of items you need to complete the application.

CURRENT GPA: You will be asked to enter your current GPA.
LAB SKILLS: Provide a brief list of your laboratory skills in unformatted text.
PERSONAL STATEMENT: Write a statement that demonstrates why you are interested in this internship program. This is an opportunity to talk about your interests and goals and is an important consideration in the the selection of candidates. Please make sure to include your name in the header or footer. You will upload this as part of your application.
RESUME/CV. You will upload this as part of your application.
TRANSCRIPTS: Unofficial transcripts are perfectly acceptable but must be readable. Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded as part of your application; official transcripts sent by the registrar can be sent to us via email (reuinternship@danforthcenter.org).
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE: You will be asked to list up to 10 of your most relevant classes in relation to this internship and your grade/anticipated grade in each class.
TWO REFERENCE LETTERS: Please contact two people who will serve as references for you. Faculty and teachers are often the best source, but feel free to ask anyone who can speak to your abilities.

Eligibility

Candidates for the program:

Must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associate's degree. Students who are transferring from one institution to another (and have been accepted at the second institution) may participate. High school graduates who have not yet enrolled are not eligible. Students who have received their undergraduate degree (or will receive a degree before the program dates) and are no longer enrolled as undergraduates are not eligible for the REU program.
Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.** NOTE: Due to grant restrictions, we are unable to fund interns who are not citizens or permanent residents.
Should be majoring in a plant science, a life science field, or a related field and have relevant coursework. Prior research experience is not required.
Must be able to work at least 40 hours per week for the entire ten-week term.
Students who have already participated in the program are not eligible to reapply. Those students are encouraged to work with their previous mentors regarding rehiring.

*You must inform us if your eligibility status changes during the application or selection process. Your application will be withdrawn if your eligibility status changes. You may submit your application again as a new application (if positions are still available) once you meet the eligibility requirements. Your application will be considered "new" and previous offers/considerations will be void.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to access the information provided on this web site, please contact People and Culture, at 314-587-1033 for further assistance.

Program Requirements

Interns are expected to:

Be present for the full ten-week period
Work at least 40 hours per week during this time. No vacations will be permitted during the 10-week program (except for official Danforth Center-wide holidays such as Memorial Day and Independence Holidays). Other necessary absences may be requested and are subject to the approval of the internship program staff and laboratory mentor(s).
Fully participate in internship program activities
Turn in a research paper at the end of the program.
Attend the all-day symposium on the final day of the program and give a 10-12 minute presentation.

Stipends

The 2025 REU program pays a stipend for the 10-week period of $6,000, plus $500 for travel assistance and $15/day for sustenance for a total of $7,550. Interns will be paid every other Friday in accordance with the Danforth Center pay cycle. Stipends for interns who are funded by sources other than REU may vary from this amount.

Tax note: No deduction is taken on your stipend payment because it is not big enough to get taxed, but if you have other sources of income during the year, then you’ll likely end up paying some income tax on it later. Since it is a stipend and not a salary, you will not pay social security tax on it. Students should refer to the IRS's "Tax Information for Students" website for information.

Housing

Interns who do not have family in St. Louis to stay with are given housing priority. Out of town interns who are accepted into the program will be housed in apartments, within a bus ride of the Danforth Center (may require walking <1 mile to bus stop). Since the bus system can take upwards of 40+ minutes, we encourage interns to bring their own cars if possible or arrange carpools with each other.

Typically, interns are placed in 2-bedroom apartments housing 4 interns (2 interns per bedroom). The apartments are fully furnished and include all kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom furnishings.