Who can apply?
The scheme is open to applications from researchers, experimental scientists, technical and professional staff working in materials science and engineering at a UK higher education institution. Each application must include a mentor (the applicant) and should include a host (PI, senior researcher, or manager) wherever possible or practical.
Undergraduate or masters students cannot apply to the scheme. If you are interested in participating, please contact your institution about internship opportunities they offer.
Types of Project
Projects fall into one of three categories:
Research projects
Royce support for projects led by post-doctoral and early-career researchers. Senior academics and principal investigators can apply, but priority will be given to ECRs. These projects should involve novel research, innovation, and experimentation.
Technical projects
Royce support for projects led by a member of technical or experimental staff. These projects should explore the development of kit, facilities, and techniques, or focus on the delivery of experimental research services.
Outreach projects
Royce support for projects led by academics, technical or professional staff. These projects should lead on the development of schools’ outreach, science communication, or public engagement activities in materials science.
Who can be an intern?
The support is for researchers to host an undergraduate student currently enrolled at the same UK HEI to work on a project related to materials science and engineering. Students must be between their penultimate and final year of study. Exceptions may be considered in the case of industrial placement or study abroad years. Students could also be moving between the third and fourth years of an integrated master’s course. Final year students or students already accepted onto a PhD programme are not considered suitable for this support.
Who Benefits?
Student interns should gain experience in a materials science work setting and learn more about the opportunities available to them after completing their undergraduate degree. Interns should have the chance to manage their own work, participate in group meetings, conduct experiments, and develop collaborative working skills. Interns should also be able to contribute towards the research activities of the host research group and receive acknowledgement in future publications.
A research project is a great way to experience what a PhD might involve before starting the application process. Technical projects will provide insights into practical applications of materials science; exploring how to image, fabricate, and characterise materials or develop equipment or methodologies in support of research or manufacturing. Interns on an outreach project should have the chance to learn how to communicate and share materials science knowledge to a range of audiences.
Project mentors have the chance to guide and encourage the career development of an undergraduate student. This might involve including them in group meetings and activities, guiding them through experiments or techniques, and sharing aspects of day-to-day work in different group roles.
For post-doctoral and early-career researchers the projects can be a valuable opportunity to develop mentorship skills and gain experience in scientific leadership. Established group leaders also benefit from an opportunity to engage with a student and share their career experiences with them.
Academic hosts have a chance to engage with undergraduates, share career guidance and deepen the leadership skills of existing group members. Running successful internship projects can strengthen the visibility and reputation of a group, making it more attractive to future students, or even the intern themselves.
How are projects run?
Royce places an expectation on the mentor, academic host, and university departments to conduct recruitment and provide continued support for undergraduate interns during the project. Royce is unable to assist in recruitment but expects that these guidelines will be adhered to.
Hosts and mentors will need to advertise and recruit for student interns within their own institution, by either directly offering places to students or through existing departmental or school internship schemes. Consideration must be given to ensure equality, diversity, inclusion, and openness in the recruitment process.
During the summer the mentor will work with the student to explain the extent of the project, establish them in their project area, and help them work alongside other group members.
At the end of the summer, all interns, mentors, and hosts are invited to join Royce at a virtual student conference. Interns will have an opportunity to present on their project work and experiences, either composing a poster or delivering a short talk.
How does the funding work?
Royce will cover the incurred cost of an undergraduate’s 35-hour week, 8-week project up to a maximum of £3500 (£3800 in London). This is the maximum available support from Royce. Longer projects and any further costs of the internship need to be met by the institution. Shorter projects will see a pro rata reduction in funds.
Royce will contact hosts to confirm completion of the internship and arrange reimbursement. Royce cannot provide support in advance.
Royce support must be wholly used towards the cost of the intern and cannot be used for other costs such as bench fees, equipment access, or consumable costs, etc.
Host must ensure that the financial process for paying interns is setup before projects begin in the summer. This ensures that the intern is paid on time, and helps Royce reconcile support at the end of the scheme.
Key Events
24th November – Applications open
20th January – Applications close
21st-31st January – Applications reviewed
3rd February – Response to all applications sent
March-May – Students selected for projects by successful mentors
18th June – Kick-off virtual workshop with Royce
Late June/Early September – Internship projects run. As part of the summer programme, Royce will host several workshops for students to ask questions beyond their research
2nd September – Internship conference
9th September – Student feedback survey
9th September onwards – Submit claim with Royce
Current Scheme
Applications to the 2025 Scheme have now closed
For information about the Royce Undergraduate Internship Scheme 2025 please contact engagement@royce.ac.uk
