New Beginnings for Tribal Students (NBTS) in Oregon

Are you a Native American student in an undergraduate natural science program?

A USDA NIFA grant offers financial incentive for Native American undergraduate students in natural science majors attending OSU or SWOCC.

Native American students planning to participate in summer internships, in a range of natural sciences, are eligible to receive a $2900 supplement.

Internships are expected to last a minimum of 8 weeks advancing the student’s understanding of their field of study through experiential learning.

Interns will be mentored by either the employer and or a faculty member, and mentors will be expected to attend a culturally-informed mentoring workshop provided by OSU for free.

The deadline to apply for the summer 2022 internship supplement is NOW EXTENDED until all spaces are filled in spring, 2022. 

Participating students may also apply for an additional $1000 scholarship through this program once internships are completed.

This is an annual opportunity 2021-2024. Students will be encouraged to stay engaged with the program and may serve as program ambassadors and or peer mentors.

Internship Supplement Eligibility:

Students must:

• Self-identify as Native American, Alaskan Native or Native Hawaiian
• Be enrolled at OSU or SWOCC
• Be an Undergraduate student
• Be majoring in, or planning to major in, a natural science, including physical and life sciences. Priority will be given to agriculture and natural resources management fields, but all natural science majors are encouraged to apply. (Application takes 15 minutes.) 
• Have an Existing summer internship plan, or
  • If you need help developing or securing an internship position, contact the Program Manager for assistance

Internships may be developed with off-campus organizations and industries as well as campus-based programs. If needed, students will receive assistance in identifying and working toward planned learning outcomes.

OSU students: This funding does not require that interns earn academic credit for the internship.

SWOCC students: This funding does require that interns earn academic credit for the internship and serve at least 90 hours. 

Students Apply HERE

Are you interested in becoming an NBTS mentor? 

Explore our NBTS mentor resources by clicking on the button below. 

A sampling of potential internship programs and sites (deadlines vary or may have passed):

• Bureau of Indian Affairs (usajobs)

• Citizen’s Climate Lobby Internships 

• Coos Watershed Association – Coho Life Cycle Monitoring Internships

• Corvallis Environmental Center Internships

• Elderberry Wisdom Farm Internships

• Internship and Research Program Database

• NEW - FOR NBTS ONLY Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council - Environmental Education Assistant Internship
  
  
• Native American Fish and Wildlife Society Summer Internships (Deadline April 8)

• Natural Resources Conversation Service

• Northwest Youth Corps Conservation Internship Program 

• OSU College of Agricultural Sciences

• OSU College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences

• OSU College of Engineering - Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering 

• OSU College of Forestry Mentored Employment Program 

• OSU Extension Communications Intern (deadline March 25)

• OSU Fisheries Wildlife and Conservation Sciences Department internship resources

• OSU Vanguarding an Inclusive Ecological Workforce (VIEW) Fellowship

• OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center

  • NEW Roundhouse Foundation Marine Studies Program Innovation Lab Scholarship and Internship Fund

• OSU Marine Studies Initiative - Aquaculture

  • Port Orford Field Station Urchin Study  (deadline April 24)

  • Hatfield Marine Science Center Urchin Study (deadline April 24)

• OSU Sea Grant Oregon Applied Sustainability Experience (specific positions coming soon) 

• South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve Science Education Internship.

• SWOCC general internship information

• Vesper Meadow – An Indigenous-led non-profit in Southern Oregon

   

OSU NBTS Program Contacts:

Program Manager, Bessie Joyce
541-743-6106

Open Campus Program Leader, Jeff Sherman

SWOCC NBTS Program Contact:

Program Manager, Diana Kaljumagi