REU

It's not too early to start thinking about next summer. If you are looking for both some travel and an exciting research experience then you should investigate the NSF's REU program - Research Experience for Undergraduates.

NSF funds a large number of research opportunities for undergraduate students through its REU Sites program. An REU Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers. Students are granted stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel. Undergraduate students supported with NSF funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. An REU Site may be at either a US or foreign location.

You apply via the individual institutions but NSF maintains a website where you can search through all the sites by location, discipline or keyword. There are lots of them in the biological sciences and CCS students are successful every year. Now is the time to be making plans. Deadlines vary but are typically in February.