Field Schools
A range of fieldwork opportunities, internships, paid and unpaid positions are available to students in all four subfields of Anthropology.
How Can I Find a Field School?
Below are a variety of websites that provide information about field schools that are accepting students for the summer 2025. Another great way to learn about field schools is to talk with your professors, advisors, and TAs.
National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU)
- The majority of REU opportunities occur during the summer months and application deadlines are due during January to March
- Fully funded opportunities
- Highly prestigious and competitive
Summer Institute in Museum Anthropology
- Cultural anthropology training
Archaeological Institute of America
- Lots of opportunities all on one website
- Search by area of the world
- Can get up to 8 semester credits
- Scholarships to fund your field experience
- The Institute for Field Research offers dozens of accredited field schools in archaeology, primatology, bioarchaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and occasionally linguistics. Several AnthroCircle officers have participated in IFR programs in previous years, and would be happy to provide thoughts and feedback on applications and program selections.
Applied Archaeology for CRM Careers
- Specifically focuses on training students in cultural resource management
- Allows you to search for field schools and internships affiliated with universities and museums
The Louise Lamphere Internship Program
- Six-week program from mid-June through mid-July
- Housing and a meal/travel stipend are provided
- Historical archaeology
Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Summer Internship in Cortez, Colorado
Independent Research and Honors
Designing and funding your own research experience. For undergraduates with independent research interests, it is possible to design and fund your own projects (both domestic and abroad) under the supervision of a UW–Madison faculty member. These projects can take the form of an Honors Thesis, a Senior Thesis, or an Independent Study (699 course code) project. Funding up to $3,000 is available through university research grants specifically designed for undergraduates, including the Honors Summer Senior Research Grant, the Mensink Research Grant, the Trewartha Undergraduate Honors Research Grant, the Hilldale Undergraduate Research Fellowship, and others. Several non-profit organizations designed to facilitate cultural exchange and homestays are also available for students interested in traveling as part of their research.
Students thinking about declaring Honors and pursuing an Honors thesis should visit the L&S Honors Program website to see if it’s right for them. Those interested in a Senior Thesis or 699 Independent study should reach out to the professor(s) they hope to work with directly.
For students interested in pursuing funding for their independent research, several relevant links are included below:
Work Away and Travel Opportunities
For students interested in arranging homestays during their research, Work Away and World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) are internationally recognized and widely used organizations designed to match travelers with host families and individuals around the world who are interested in cultural exchange. Both programs require a small annual membership fee.
For more information about the opportunities listed above, feel free to reach out to anthrocircle@rso.wisc.edu. Please keep in mind that AnthroCircle is not responsible for the safety or actions of students and individuals who choose to investigate and pursue the above opportunities further.