International Undergraduate Internship in Seismology and Hazards
May 27th – December 13th, 2019

Applications are due February 15, 2019, 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

To encourage collaborative research between IRIS member institutions and international partners, we invite international undergraduate students to apply for internships to perform seismological research relating to geological hazards. This program aims to create new research and educational opportunities for international undergraduates and to cultivate long-term partnerships across borders. Financial support is provided by the David Simpson Innovation Fund.

International undergraduate interns are financially supported to:

• Be jointly mentored by a U.S. based researcher at an IRIS member institution and a researcher at the student’s home institution.
• Undertake research at an IRIS member institution for a period lasting between 8 to 10 weeks over the summer and continue the research at their home institution after the summer internship concludes.
• Participate in the week-long IRIS REU orientation held at the PASSCAL Instrument Center at New Mexico Tech in Socorro (May 27 to May 31). The REU orientation provides international students the opportunity to meet interns in the IRIS REU program to build community, receive an overview of some of the most exciting aspects of modern seismology, and develop research skills.
• Present results from the internship at the Fall AGU meeting or equivalent professional meeting.

Support includes a living stipend ($700/week, minus taxes), visa application fees (up to $400), and other consumables (up to $500). Funds to cover these expenses will be managed through a no-overhead grant/award from IRIS to the U.S. host institution. IRIS will also directly cover or reimburse expenses related to travel for the internship and to attend a professional meeting.

The application must consist of two separate submissions, coordinated between the mentors and the international student. Please consider using the host or student application templates to prepare your responses:

1. A scientific research project proposal developed jointly by the U.S.-based host at an IRIS member institution and the international collaborator based in a country affected by geological hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, etc.)
2. A statement by the international (non-U.S. based) student that focuses on his or her research interests and qualifications

Research projects in seismology should focus on studies related to geologic hazards and the basic science underlying these hazards. Projects should extend beyond current research collaborations and represent new research directions for the student involved, rather than a continuation of current research. We especially encourage applications/projects that represent new partnerships between PIs that have not worked together in the past. Strong preference will be given to projects involving partner institutions from developing countries and/or countries with limited existing resources for research opportunities in geophysics and seismology for undergraduates.

The program covers visa application fees, but the host’s U.S. institution is responsible for helping the international students obtain an appropriate visa (typically J-1). As part of developing the proposal, U.S. hosts should consult with their appropriate campus office (e.g. international student office or equivalent) regarding the visa application process and how best to provide the stipend (through payroll, reimbursement, or per diem). The host must demonstrate that they have the ability to successfully assist with the visa application process and support international student interns on campus.

While this is intended as a summer internship program, if another time period is more suitable based on the home institutions academic calendar there is flexibility in this regard. Be sure to state in the proposal if another time period is preferred.

General questions should be addressed to Anne Meltzer. If you experience any problems with the application process, please contact Andy Frassetto.