The Center for Sustainable Polymers is a NSF Center for Chemical Innovation whose mission is to transform how plastics are made and unmade through innovative research, engaging education, and diverse partnerships that together foster environmental stewardship. CSP participants aim to design, prepare, and implement polymers derived from renewable resources for a wide range of advanced applications, and to promote future economic development, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability in the emergent area of biobased products.

This paid research experience requires a full-time commitment to extensive lab work for ten weeks during the summer. All participants will have the opportunity to present their research in a CSP meeting at the end of the summer and in an undergraduate research expo.

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The CSP will provide full-time research positions to undergraduate students during the summer – hosted at the University of Minnesota. We expect that the 2024 CSP Summer Research program will be conducted in-person. Program structure and any modifications are subject to change.

Program dates are June 3- August 9, 2024 but we can accommodate students whose semester/quarter end dates overlap with the program start.

Participants will receive a stipend and meal allowance of $7500. In addition, costs for dorm housing at the University of Minnesota and travel to Minneapolis will be covered directly.

A complete application consists of:

1. An online application form 
2. Documents required as attachments to the online application form in (1)
   • Statement of purpose: 500-word (maximum) statement describing why you wish to participate in this program, sharing any previous research experience, and your career goals.
   • CV or Resume 
   • Transcript (unofficial accepted)
3. One Letter of Recommendation: A Letter of Recommendation is required directly from the recommender and can be provided by someone who can speak to your ability/potential as a student/researcher (e.g., professor, advisor, research mentor). Preferred sources are faculty members or research supervisors.
   • The online application form in (1) will ask you for the name and email of the person providing a letter of recommendation. Please make sure that this individual knows that they will be receiving this request.

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