Research Experience for Undergraduate Students
RISE (Research Internship in Sustainable Bioenergy) is a summer internship program offering bioenergy research opportunities for undergraduates. This program builds the talent pipeline and is supported by the Department of Energy (CABBI), the National Science Foundation (ASAP, a Global Center), and Boeing.
During the 10-week program, students gain experience in plant biology, agronomy, synthetic biology, genetics, environmental sciences, chemical engineering, and civil & environmental engineering. Successful applicants will be given a $6,000 stipend; housing and travel are provided.
Students, check out the 2025 flyer
Sponsors, find out how to engage with RISE
Read about the 2023 interns and 2024 interns to see what they learned.
Applications will open in early December.
Eligibility: U.S. citizen or permanent resident enrolled in degree-granting college/university with at least one semester of course work remaining before obtaining bachelor’s degree.
Program Dates: May 27 – Aug. 1, 2025
Application Deadline: Feb. 19, 2025 at 11:59PM CST
References: RISE will contact references the week of Feb. 24, 2025 to complete a short recommendation form
Stipend: $6,000
Housing & Travel Provided!
About RISE: This is a 10-week summer research opportunity targeting underrepresented students interested in bioenergy research. Students seeking experience in plant biology, agronomy, synthetic biology, genetics, environmental sciences, chemical engineering, and civil & environmental engineering are encouraged to apply! Project descriptions will be shared on this page in December. View the 2025 RISE flyer.
The Plan: Students will be paired with a CABBI or ASAP mentor, conduct research, attend career development seminars, learn about the graduate school application practice, and practice STEM communication by presenting research at a summer symposium.
Questions: Email Celine Young, chyoung@illinois.edu
Who should I put as my academic or professional reference?
Your reference can be a professor, work-study advisor, research mentor – anyone who knows you professionally. Don’t forget to inform them that you have listed them as a reference!
Can I select fewer than 4 projects?
Yes. Use the “N/A” option in the dropdown.
Will applicants only be conducting one project, or will it be the four choices like in the application?
Each RISE intern will conduct one research project and have one mentor. We ask for multiple project choices in case your first option isn’t available.
Are there any required courses that we must have taken to apply into the research program?
There are no requirements to apply for RISE. This includes coursework or prior research experience. Some projects have indicated coursework or knowledge that is highly recommended for you to be successful, but they are not required.
My background is more focused on chemistry rather than biology. Would I be a good fit to apply for RISE?
Yes, the projects span multiple disciplines from the social sciences to engineering to plant biology.
How often would I be interacting with other students doing research?
Depending on the project, you will likely be interacting with other students on a daily basis. You’ll connect with the RISE interns (and other REU students on campus) on a weekly basis for professional development workshops and social activities. RISE interns will also have opportunities to connect with the whole CABBI/ASAP community, including attendance at the retreat.
Is RISE intended for students who want to go to graduate school?
One of the benefits of RISE is for you to explore various career options related to the bioenergy field. While we hope to increase the pipeline to graduate school for students from underrepresented groups, there are many careers that don’t require a Masters or PhD.