Oregon Wine Research Institute

Oregon Wine Research Institute (OWRI) Undergraduate Scholars Program

The Oregon Wine Research Institute (OWRI) at Oregon State University offers an annual competitive program to fund undergraduate research internships in areas related to viticulture, enology, and economics. The goal is to provide highly-motivated undergraduate students with the opportunity to learn and actively participate in research related to grape and wine production. Scholars will have the opportunity to gain a broader learning experience outside of the classroom by working directly within the lab and/or research program of an OWRI faculty mentor.

The OWRI is a collaborative research and education program located within Oregon State University and it involves partnerships with multiple organizations and works with the Oregon wine grape industry to meet their research needs. Researchers include faculty in the Horticulture, Food Science & Technology, and Applied Economics Departments at Oregon State University as well as researchers in the Horticultural Crops Research Unit of the USDA in Corvallis, OR. Students select one mentor to work with during the scholars program.

The areas of research and education within the OWRI include viticulture, enology, plant biology, plant pathology, entomology, plant physiology, molecular biology, genetics, economics, food sensory, and chemistry. Many OWRI faculty have multi-faceted positions that include duties in research, teaching, and industry education/outreach. Several OWRI faculty work directly with industry, whether growers or winemakers, to conduct research in commercial vineyards/wineries in addition to lab-based research. Learn more about our researchers online at owri.oregonstate.edu. 

Qualifications:

• You must be a current student enrolled at an institution of higher education (post-secondary) within the US or internationally.
• Degree areas should be related to food science, horticulture, plant science, biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, economics, environmental science, or an agricultural/environmental field of study.
• Interest in working in a research environment that is either field- and/or lab- based.

Before applying, contact our researchers who may serve as potential mentors. Be sure to introduce yourself and discuss potential projects. A full list of faculty involved in the OWRI can be found online in the employee directory. This is a necessary step toward determining who you’d like to work with.

Application Materials: Interested students must complete the following items. Be sure to reference the OWRI Undergraduate Scholars Program.

• The Student Researcher Application will be live March 2022 (exact dates TBD). The link to that application will be found at the top of this page during those dates.
• Cover letter: address your areas of interest in viticulture, enology, wine economics, or related fields and how it will help you develop your education and/or future career.
• Resume: include both current and past post-secondary education (if applicable) and list all prior work experience, not just that which is relevant to research.
• Transcripts (unofficial) from your post-secondary educational institution
• A list of three professional reference contacts (name, title, phone, and email). Do not include reference letters.

Questions? If you would like more information about this program, please contact Denise Dewey, Program Coordinator, Oregon Wine Research Institute