STEER Program

Short Term Educational Experience for Research (STEER) in Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) for Undergraduate Students

Are you interested in how the environment affects human health?

Gain valuable experience and join other students interested in careers in science working on Environmental Health Science (EHS) research projects that could be important for future academic and career opportunities. Over the course of this internship, you will:

  •  Participate in weekly seminars with faculty 
  • Learn about the research process and the responsible conduct of science
  • Network with current graduate students and postdocs to learn more about graduate school
  • Participate in occupational and environmental health field trips
  • Present the findings from your summer research at a symposium

Spend 9 weeks (June 16, 2025 - August 15, 2025) in a paid summer internship ($6,500) program working with a University of California researcher.

APPLICATION DATES

STEER application will open in January 2025. 

Applications will be due on February 23, 2025, at 11:59PM PST. 

March 10 to April 1

You may be asked to take part in a brief virtual interview prior to the final selection of applicants.

Interview notices are sent to candidates as interviews become available. Please do not contact mentors. For any questions, email jalfaro@berkeley.edu.

April 4, 2025

Final decisions will be made & announced to all applicants.

View / Download Recruitment Flyer

Resume Tips: UC Berkeley Career Center

Internship Requirements

  • Rising undergraduate juniors and seniors will be prioritized; ALL ARE WELCOME TO APPLY
  • A dedicated interest in obtaining a graduate degree and career in EHS
  • Open to students from all universities, colleges, and junior/community colleges           
  • 3.0 GPA preferred; all with high interest encouraged to apply        
  • Completion of personal statement, unofficial transcript, resume, and online application (see next section)

Preview the STEER Intern Contract Here

Application Process

The following will need to be prepared in PDF format to apply & submit via the online application portal:​

  • 2-page personal statement* 
  • A copy of your unofficial transcript
  • 1- to 2-page resume 
*Please see the list of projects and address your interest in 1-3 projects and their mentors in your personal statement. Each student will be placed with one mentor but will have the opportunity to learn about other aspects of the research through seminars, tours, and group discussions. 

Exploring Environmental Health

Topics for your Environmental Health research project include the following:

EHS Seminars & Workshops   

As an intern, you will participate in a series of seminars & workshops that will:

  • Introduce you to a range of research being carried out by EHS faculty

  • Instruct you on the responsible conduct of science and the protection of human participants and animals in research

  • Teach you about job opportunities in environmental health sciences

  • Provide you with some practical instruction in applying to graduate school in environmental health sciences

  • Provide you with an opportunity to discuss your research experience and present your findings.

What can you expect if admitted into the STEER program?

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Valuable Research Mentorship

Valuable Research Mentorship

Each of our STEER interns is provided a meaningful opportunity to work with experienced faculty on some aspect of a research project addressing the relationship between environmental exposures and human health.

Real-World Exposure to EHS Issues

Real-World Exposure to EHS Issues

Interns in the STEER program also have the ability to participate in field trips to give you some valuable experience of environmental health issues in the real world.

I could not have asked for a better summer or better people. I think that through this experience this summer, I not only grew as a scientist but also as a person. I will definitely be looking to come back to UCB for a graduate program.
Former STEER Intern

STEER Program Administrators

Do you still have questions? 

CONTACT STEER ADMINISTRATION