Research and Study Opportunites


The Arctic Studies Center (National Museum of Natural History) announces internship and volunteer opportunities for students, artists, museum staff and community scholars. These programs are offered in both Anchorage, Alaska and in Washington, D.C. All are offered by competitive application.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Arctic Studies Center
Internships & Volunteer Opportunities
(Washington, D.C.)

ASC Intern Application (PDF file)

Openings for volunteers and/or interns are available primarily to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students in Anchorage and Washington D.C. Please inquire. Travel allowances may be provided. Academic credit may be arranged.

Projects include:

1) Artifact and collection analysis (historic and prehistoric)

2) Editorial and publication work

3) Graphic design (illustrations, photography and webpage design)
 
4) Exhibit and public program development

5) Research assitance

Deadline: Accepted year-round

ALASKA OFFICE
Arctic Studies Center
Internship & Volunteer Opportunities

The Alaska Office of the Arctic Studies Center (National Museum of Natural History) is accepting applications for archaeology and anthropology internship positions. 

Projects and available positions as of January 2007 are:

1) Sharing Knowledge website http://alaska.si.edu

[project background at http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/html/alaska_collections.html ]

a) Research and analysis of archival photographs and illustrations of Alaska Native peoples

b) Editing English transcripts of museum consultations with Alaska Native Elders

c) Editing and posting data and text

2) Kenai Fjords Project

[project background at http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/html/alaska_kenai.html ]

a) Summer fieldwork at Kenai Fjords National Park

b) Oral history research

c) Data entry and spatial analysis of artifacts from the Kenai Fjords fieldwork site

The following types of internships are available:

1) as independent study for university credit (set up with your home institution)

2) as a formal internship with and without paid stipend by competitive application through the Smithsonian Institution (see programs listed below)

3) as a volunteer position

Please contact Arctic Studies Center director Aron Crowell for more information about available projects, developing internship work into an M.A. thesis subject, and for assistance in applying for Smithsonian internship programs for projects at the Arctic Studies Center.

Aron Crowell, Director
Arctic Studies Center, Alaska Office
National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
121 West 7th Ave.
Anchorage, AK  99501
email: crowella@si.edu
tel: 907-343-6162
fax: 907-343-6130

Dawn Biddison, Outreach Coordinator
Arctic Studies Center (Smithsonian Institution)
121 West 7th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
Ph. (907) 343-6131 / Fax (907) 343-6130
Email: biddisondd@ci.anchorage.ak.us

Deadline: Accepted year-round.

Natural History Internship Program
(Washington, D.C. only)

Available to undergraduate or beginning level graduate students and some advanced placement high school students (must be 16 years of age). Placement available in the natural history science units, development and publications (public affairs), scientific illustration and informatics. There are no placements in public education, exhibits design and production or any public programs. No financial assistance or housing provided. Duration: varies with each position. All information and application materials are available on the web at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/other_opps/

Deadline: Applications accepted year-round

Research Training Program (Washington, D.C. only)

Awarded to outstanding undergraduate students from around the world. Features a ten-week curriculum of hypothesis testing research projects in the biological, geological and anthropological sciences plus lectures, workshops, discussions, field trips and more. Award package includes stipend, housing, transportation allowance and research supply budget. All information and application materials available on the web: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/

SMITHSONIAN OFFICE OF FELLOWSHIPS

Native American Awards Program
(Anchorage, AK; Washington, D.C.; New York, NY)

• Visiting Student Awards:
  For currently enrolled, advanced graduate students formally or informally related to a Native American/Alaska Native community. Pursue independent research in association with Smithsonian staff. Stipends and a small research allowance included. A travel allowance may be available. Duration: up to 10 weeks.
• Internship Awards:
  Awarded to undergraduate and graduate Native American students formally or informally related to a Native American community to participate in research or museum activities related to Native American studies. Duration: 10 weeks.
• Community Scholar Awards:
  Available to elders, artists or other individuals who wish to look at collections and pursue independently-designed research projects in association with Smithsonian staff. Projects have included, for example, studies of gutskin garments, Athabascan beadwork and Cup'ik hunting equipment. Stipends and a small research allowance included. A travel allowance may be included. Duration: up to 21 days.

Minority Internship Program
(Anchorage, AK; Washington, D.C.; New York, NY)

Available for students to participate in research or museum-related activities. U.S. minority undergraduate and beginning level graduate students are encouraged to apply. Carries a stipend of $350 per week and travel allowances may be provided. Duration: 10 weeks.

Applications and/or information about the Native American Awards Program and the Minority Internship Program can be found on the website: http://www.si.edu/ofg/

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN

Stipended and Non-Stipended Internships
(Anchorage, AK; Washington, DC; New York, NY)

Available for students to participate in research or museum-related activities. U.S. minority undergraduate and beginning level graduate students encouraged to apply. Stipended internships carry a stipend of $350 per week (up to 10 weeks max); travel allowances may be provided. Non-stipended positions do not have financial assistance. Visit the NMAI website for more information and application materials: www.nmai.si.edu

Deadline: Requests accepted year-round.

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