undergrad bee research opportunities

[Elsa Youngsteadt]

The NCSU BeeMORE REEU is now accepting applications for summer 2026! Applications are due Jan 31, 2026.

This is a USDA-funded research and extension experience for undergraduates centered on bees, microbes, and/or their interactions. Each participant spends 10 weeks in a host lab, and also does professional development with the rest of the BeeMORE cohort. Please share with anyone who may be interested!

https://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/beemore/

Examples of past and potential research projects include:
- Determining the role of diet in disease ecology of native pollinators
- Identifying microbes in wax moth larvae responsible for breaking down plastics
- Exploring the interface of pest management and pollinator conservation in specialty crops

- Developing methods to track bees while they forage
- Discovering new yeasts from hive matrices for brewing beer
- Linking behavior, morphology, and pathogens of carpenter bees
- Characterizing the reproductive microbiome of honey bees

Logistics
- Program dates are May 22 to August 2, 2026 (10 weeks)
- Students will receive a $4,500 stipend and $1,000 food allowance PLUS housing accommodations at our Wolf Village Apartments
- Independent, mentored research is the core of this program. Complementary activities will include bi-weekly group meetings, professional development seminars, group field trips, a beekeeper extension meeting, and presenting a formal poster at the NC State Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium

Apply now!
- DEADLINE: January 31st, 2026
- Apply online at: http://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/beemore/apply/
- Have more questions? Email us at: drt...@ncsu.edu or ekyo...@ncsu.edu