Are There Paid Research Study Opportunities in the US?

I'm really interested in gaining hands-on research experience and would love it if I could get paid for it. Does anyone know of ways to find paid research study positions for students in the US?

Absolutely, there are numerous paid research opportunities for students across the country.

Often, colleges and universities provide Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programs (UROP). These programs are a great way to get hands-on experience in your field of interest while also being paid. For example, MIT runs a very well-known UROP program for their students.

You might also consider the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, which supports active research participation by undergraduate students. Many REU programs provide a stipend and even occasionally help with housing and travel.

Additionally, many laboratories, both on-campus and in industry, employ undergraduate research assistants. The availability and pay for these positions greatly depend on the institution and the specific research lab.

Lastly, you may want to check out summer research programs, as many of these are paid. While the specifics of the program will vary based on the school, these can provide a great opportunity for hands-on research work. One example is the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) at many universities.

Just remember to start your search early and don’t shy away from reaching out to professors or program directors to show your interest and dedication to learning. That could make all the difference in landing one of these sought-after research positions.