Paid International Research Exchanges and Training for U.S.-Based Graduate and Undergraduate Students
ASLO is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for the second cohort of the Limnology and Oceanography Research Exchange and Mentoring Experience (LOREX ME) program. Building on the success of the LOREX program launched in 2019, LOREX ME was designed to train the next generation of aquatic science professionals in conducting international, collaborative research by providing funded research exchanges and mentorship opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students interested in the aquatic sciences.
- About the Program
The LOREX program will support up to 8 graduate students and 8 undergraduate students to travel to host institutions in Australia, Canada, Israel and Sweden to conduct original, student-led collaborative aquatic science research. Graduate students will propose a research project and will be paired with an undergraduate student mentee with aligning research interests. The student teams will travel together next summer (2027).
Meet the first cohort of LOREX ME and read more about their research at the LOREX people page and at the LOREX Blog!
- About the Host Institutions
The participating host sites represent diverse settings for research ─ from coastal to open ocean, tropics to high latitudes, saline, and brackish and fresh waters. Participating institutions are: Southern Cross University (Lismore and Coffs Harbour) in Australia; the Interuniversity Group in Limnology (GRIL) in Montreal and Dalhousie University in Canada; The University of Haifa and the Inter University Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat in Israel; and the Climate Impacts Research Centre at Umea University in Sweden. Please note, travel to host sites is contingent on the recommendations of the U.S. Department of State.
We encourage you to learn more about the host institutions by browsing the LOREX ME exchange opportunities page here: https://www.aslo.org/lorex-me/exchange-opportunities/
- Eligibility
Due to NSF regulations, the research exchanges are currently only open to US citizens or permanent residents enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program. (Note: If you have ideas on how to leverage funds from additional sources to support students from additional countries, or suggestions for this effort, please contact us via reply email.) Students must also be an ASLO member to apply and participate in the program (student memberships are $30).
- Program Components and Requirements
LOREX ME program awardees will participate in an in-person orientation at the 2027 Aquatic Sciences Meeting (28 February – 5 March 2027; orientation will occur on 28 February 2027) in San Juan, Puerto Rico and online meetings in preparation for their field work. Students will also participate in a formal evaluation of the program and will also be invited to present their work in a special session dedicated to the LOREX program at an ASLO conference following their field work to share their experience (the 2028 Ocean Sciences Meeting or the 2028 Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting). Additionally, LOREX students will disseminate the results of their research exchange more broadly in coordination with ASLO’s Communications Office through blog and social media posts, as well as collaborative peer reviewed publications. The LOREX coordinators will directly pay travel expenses and lodging costs at the field sites. Students will be provided with an adequate allowance for each site to cover other expenses (food, transportation, etc.). Transportation costs, lodging, and meeting registration for orientation activities and the post-travel ASLO conference are also covered. Expenses for research materials are NOT covered by ASLO or the LOREX ME program.
- Key Program Dates and Deadlines
30 September 2026 Graduate student applications due
5 October 2026 Graduate student applicants notified and undergraduate student applications open
31 October 2026 Undergraduate student applications due
December 2026 Undergraduate applicants notified and full cohort announced
28 February 2027 Cohort orientation at the 2027 Aquatic Sciences Meeting
Summer 2027 Cohort conducts international research
2028 Cohort presents research at ASLO sponsored meeting
- Informational Webinars
We will hold informational webinars for interested students to review program and application components, as well as answer questions, at the following times:
- Wednesday, 12 August at 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT (graduate students)
- Tuesday, 8 September at 1:00pm ET/10:00 am PT (graduate students)
- Tuesday, 6 October at 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT (undergraduate students)
To register for a webinar please visit: https://www.aslo.org/lorex/lorex-me-applications-informational-webinar. Webinars will be recorded and posted to the website after completion.
- How to Apply
Graduate Students: Applications should be prepared in the form of a proposal that consists of a cover page, project description, project justification, mentoring statement, and references. Applicants must also submit a letter of support from their advisor and their host PI. More details can be found here: https://www.aslo.org/lorex/lorex-me-applications-graduate/
Undergraduate Students: To apply, interested undergraduate students are asked to submit a form indicating their previous research experience, current scientific interests, career goals, and justification of their preferred research site/project from this current year’s availability. Please note that selecting a preferred site does not guarantee the placement of admitted students. Application will open on October 5.
- Learn More
To learn more about the LOREX program, please take a few moments to browse the work products from previous six cohorts of the program - including blog articles, papers and conference presentations, and a living handbook of international collaboration advice - available for viewing on our website.
Questions about the program may be addressed to the lead PI Adina Paytan ([email protected]) or ASLO liaison Brittany Schieler ([email protected]).
Funding for the LOREX ME Program is provided by the National Science Foundation (Award #2505282, 2025-2028).