With 17 museums, research centers and the National Zoo, the Smithsonian Institute — the largest museum system in the world — touches every aspect of the human experience. Its mission focuses on four Grand Challenges: to unlock the mysteries of the universe, to understand and sustain a bio-diverse planet, to explore world cultures and to understand the American experience. 

In our seventh summer in partnership with the Smithsonian, 10 UH students will be matched with a mentor and placed in five-week individual internships that begin mid-May 2021. While enrolled in this living-learning opportunity, students will reside in intern housing on Capitol Hill. Previous UH interns have conducted research at the National Zoo, the Smithsonian Science Education Center, the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, the Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of African Art, among other placements. 

Situated in the Honors College, the internship is open to all majors and UH students. The experience will challenge you to broaden your thinking and sharpen your skills and understanding of complex issues in science, history, the arts, culture and other disciplines, all against the backdrop of Washington, D.C. Partial Honors College scholarships are available.

Students will present their research at the UH Undergraduate Research Day in April 2022.

Note: Summer 2021 internships will be performed virtually. The decision to switch to online participation was determined based on health and safety conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the University of Houston COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions update here.

Estimated Expenses:

• Housing 
• Airfare
• Smithsonian fee
• Meals and walking around money

Applications open January 2021. For more information, contact Professor Alison Leland.