The Graduate Student Council coordinates a summer employment program that pairs College of Forestry undergraduate students with graduate students for mentorship and paid research opportunities, called SUGAR (Summer Undergraduate Graduate Assisted Research). Participating in SUGAR supports career preparation, provides an opportunity to learn more about grad school, life after college and gain research and field work experience.
For more information please read the details below or email CoFGSC_officers@oregonstate.edu with questions.
The SUGAR Program is a summer term opportunity for CoF undergraduate students to work with CoF graduate students. Work could include assistance with thesis, dissertation, capstone projects or other research projects (data collection, data analysis, data entry, laboratory work, and literature review). The College of Forestry provides a limited amount of funding to pay undergraduate hourly wages. Graduate students will also provide undergraduates with mentorship.
Graduate Student Information:
- Graduate students interested in submitting a SUGAR project should use the proposal webform
- Limited funding is available for approximately 80 hours of work. Please indicate on the proposal form (description) how work will be allocated to fill that time
- All projects must be based out of the Corvallis campus or E-campus
- Work should be related to your thesis, dissertation, capstone or other research projects
- All SUGAR projects need a Faculty Supervisor to oversee the project and approve undergraduate student timesheets
- Projects should fall within the parameters of the Student Technical Assistant - Mentored Employment Program position description
Undergraduate Student Information:
Applications for the 2026 SUGAR program open on April 17th. To apply, please submit this student interest form and apply in the OSU Jobs Portal by May 10th.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled in the College of Forestry as an undergraduate or post-baccalaureate student during the current spring term and planning to enroll in fall term.
- In good academic standing.
- Students registered in 5 or more credits during summer term are limited to working 24 hours per week. (review student employment manual for details).
Application steps:
- Review the available SUGAR projects listed below.
- Apply to the CoF Mentored Employment Program Student Technical Assistant Pool 2025-26 job in the OSU jobs portal, including a current resume and cover letter.
- Submit an interest form.
- You may select up to 2 projects you would like to apply to.
- There is an option to upload additional cover letters if you need/want to do so.
- All applications and interest forms will be reviewed by Graduate and Faculty mentors.
- Deadline to apply is May 10th.
Questions:
- For application process questions, contact Brooke Harrington.
- For specific project questions, contact the faculty or graduate student mentor listed on the project.
Current Opportunities
For more information about the Summer Undergraduate Graduate Assisted Research Program and Employment programs, please contact the College of Forestry Graduate Student Council at COFGradStudentCouncil@oregonstate.edu.
Important Deadlines
Event | Date(s) |
|---|---|
Graduate Student Application Deadline | March 21, 2026 |
SUGAR projects posted online | April 17, 2026 |
Student Application Deadline | May 10, 2026 |
Program dates | June 16 - September 4, 2026 |