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Natural History Research Experiences (NHRE) Grant

Smithsonian Institution

Funding Amount

US $6,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

Foundation

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • High school graduates who have been accepted at an undergraduate institution but who have not yet started their undergraduate study are also eligible to participate.

Geography

  • This opportunity is open for US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.

Other requirements

  • Eligible undergraduate students should be enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree.
  • Students who are transferring from one college or university to another and are enrolled at neither institution during the intervening summer may participate.
  • Previous research experience is not required.

Not eligible / not funded

  • Not eligible: Students who have received their bachelor's degrees and are no longer enrolled as undergraduates are not eligible to participate.

Overview

The Natural History Research Experiences (NHRE) is a prestigious 10-week summer internship program at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. It offers undergraduates the chance to engage in independent research across various disciplines including Earth Science and Anthropology. Participants receive a stipend of $8250, travel support, and free housing, while benefiting from mentorship by leading scientists. This program aims to cultivate future leaders in natural history research.

Natural History Research Experiences (NHRE) is a 10-week summer internship program hosted at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. NHRE interns work closely with scientific mentors to complete independent research projects in Earth Science, Biology, and Anthropology.
10 Weeks of research experience$8250 stipendUp to $800 in travel support to and from Washington DCFree summer housingProfessional mentorship with worldclass scientists$1500 in conference participation support upon successful completion of NHRE program

Eligibility

This opportunity is open for US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. Eligible undergraduate students should be enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree. Students who are transferring from one college or university to another and are enrolled at neither institution during the intervening summer may participate. High school graduates who have been accepted at an undergraduate institution but who have not yet started their undergraduate study are also eligible to participate.Previous research experience is not required.

Ineligibility

Students who have received their bachelor's degrees and are no longer enrolled as undergraduates are not eligible to participate.

What Smithsonian Institution actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025
11
Total given
$609K
Median grant
$64K
Range
$5,100–$100K
  • By dollars: Florida 27%, Massachusetts 16%, Alabama 14%. Top recipient cities: Tallahassee, FL; Boston, MA; Tuskegee Institute, AL.
  • 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
  • 55% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

  • Florida State University · Tallahassee, FL

    Academic appt. stipends

    $100K

  • Harvard College · Boston, MA

    Academic appt. stipends

    $99K

  • Tuskegee University · Tuskegee Institute, AL

    Academic appt. stipends

    $86K

  • Clark Atlanta Univ · Atlanta, GA

    Academic appt. stipends

    $64K

  • Jackson State Univ · Jackson, MS

    Academic appt. stipends

    $64K

IRS Form 990, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Science research
  • Education

Categories

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