OSU Research Internship Program

Who:
Graduating high school seniors and current underclassmen at college or university over the age of 18 by May 1, 2024

What:
The 2024 OSU Research Internship Program on the CFAES Wooster Campus (ORIP)

Where:
CFAES Wooster Campus; 1680 Madison Ave, Wooster, OH 44691

When:
May 13 - July 19, 2024

How: 
Apply via the link below by February 29, 2024

ORIP applications have closed for summer 2024. Please check back in the winter for details on ORIP 2025.


Overview

The CFAES Wooster Campus provides an annual summer research internship opportunity for motivated graduating high school seniors and current underclassmen at college or university over the age of 18. Note that students are not required to attend OSU or have future intentions of attending OSU to participate in the program. The OSU Research Internship Program on the CFAES Wooster campus (ORIP) is tailored specifically to enhance student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Past ORIP participants have been involved in research ranging from bee abundance, to grapevine health and soil quality, to cross-reactivity of human coronavirus-specific antibodies. 

View 2023 ORIP Projects

Through laboratory and field research, interns receive a hands-on experience in data collection and analysis, project design, and scientific communication of results. College students may be able to use this research internship to meet an internship requirement at their school. They should confirm this with their academic advisors if they are interested.   


Requirements and Benefits

Throughout the duration of the 10-week program, interns will work with their mentors and the faculty advisor to write a report detailing their research topic, methods, and findings which will be due at the end of the program. Students will also be required to participate in a final symposium where they will give a 10-minute presentation on their summer research. Students who are selected to participate in this program must be available for the full 10 weeks.

A core aspect of ORIP is networking, not only with faculty and professional students in your lab, but with the other participants of the program. To inspire this connectivity between interns, during the program, every Friday is reserved for ORIP participants to gather for a Lunch and Learn session. Attendance at each Lunch and Learn session is required unless otherwise approved by the faculty advisor. Lunch and Learn sessions allow time for interns to come together and share their experiences over the past week with one another over a meal, followed by a brief overview of an area of CFAES research or opportunities within our college presented by CFAES Faculty members, Postdoctoral Scholars, or Graduate Students. 

Participation in ORIP can increase student competitiveness for scholarships and admission to college and graduate or professional schools. Students are encouraged to explore the websites of the departments and faculty labs on the CFAES Wooster Campus that are doing research in their areas of interest and contact the lab directly before applying to the program. Please note that only CFAES Wooster-based faculty members are eligible to be faculty mentors, so double check that the researcher is located in Wooster before reaching out. On the application there will be an opportunity to indicate whether you have already communicated with a faculty member about ORIP, though this is not a requirement to apply for the program. If a student is chosen for ORIP and they have not connected with a potential faculty mentor, they will be matched with an available faculty mentor based on the student’s experience and interests.

CFAES Wooster Departments

Animal Sciences
Center for Food Animal Health
Entomology
Environment & Natural Resources
Food, Agricultural, & Biological Engineering
Horticulture & Crop Science
Plant Pathology


Linked below is a selection of faculty and research projects that are open for the summer of 2024. Please include the name of any faculty member(s) that you are interested in working with on your application. This list is not exhaustive, so if you don't see an exact project matching your interests, don't hesitate to reach out to our program coordinators to see if we may have a fit for you.

2024 Summer Projects 


Logistics

Student interns will be selected on a competitive basis by the ORIP selection committee. Interns will be required to work a minimum of 30 hours per week and will be paid at a rate of $12/hour for the 10-week program (300 total hours). Daily hours and schedules will be determined by the research that is being conducted and will be settled between the student and the ORIP mentor.

ORIP will pay up to 150 hours of the 300-hour program requirement to the most competitive applicants. Faculty mentors will be responsible for the remainder of the student's salary and benefits (150 hours). Students may also make separate arrangements with their faculty mentors for additional employment, so long as they do not exceed 38 hours/week. This additional time will be 100% funded by the faculty mentor.

This program is targeted for local students who have their own transportation, though students located outside of our area may also apply. Note that finding and covering the cost of housing must be handled personally by the intern.


The Application 

The ORIP application is due on February 29, 2024 and can be completed via an online Qualtrics survey. Alongside information about yourself like your current school and age, applications will also require you to attach a copy of your transcripts as a PDF document and include an optional space for you to upload your resume, also as a PDF document. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered, so ensure that you have provided all the necessary information before submitting. 

A complete application should include

  • Name, Current Position, Current Contact Information
  • Job Experience
  • Honors and Awards
  • Extracurricular Activities 
  • Volunteer Experience
  • A brief statement of short-term and long-term career goals (half-page)
  • A brief personal statement as to why you should be chosen for this program (half-page)
  • A detailed statement about any prior research experience or experiences you think have prepared you for this position (half page)
  • A copy of your transcripts

ORIP applications have closed for summer 2024. Please check back in the winter for details on ORIP 2025.


Contact:

Alexis Didinger
208 Research Services, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691
Phone: (330) 462-6157
Email: didinger.2@osu.edu