Jackson School - Research Traineeship Experience (RTX)

About the RTX Program:

The Research Traineeship Experience (RTX) is a paid, 9-week summer program at the Jackson School of Geosciences that gives STEM undergraduate students an immersive introduction to geoscience research. Students gain hands-on research experience, advanced technical training, and one-on-one professional mentorship with leading geoscientists to prepare for graduate school and impactful careers. Your financial support in RTX fuels the next generation of geoscientists and strengthens the future of the geoscience community. Join Us in Making a Lasting Impact! Donate today at any level and help us create life-changing opportunities for aspiring geoscientists!

Your generous donation directly supports:

• Student stipends—up to $6,500 per participant.
• Housing and meals—fully covered summer housing in Austin and meal support.
• Travel assistance—so students can fully participate without financial burden.
• Essential resources—access to lab resources, technology, software, and UT libraries.
• Conference participation—support to present their research on national stages.
• Professional development— support for networking, mentorship, and career-building.

RTX Outcomes and Impact:

Investing in RTX is about more than just funding a single summer; it's about shaping the future of STEM education and geosciences. We are raising funds to expand access to this transformative in-person opportunity by providing support for student stipends, travel, housing, research materials, and conference participation. The demand for research experiences far exceeds the available opportunities and additional support will help increase access for more students across the nation.

A Word from Previous Trainees:

“The Research Traineeship Experience (RTX) Program at the Jackson School of Geosciences significantly influenced my thinking about future career and graduate school plans. Through hands-on projects involving produced water and lithium isotopes in oilfields, I gained a deeper understanding of the practical applications of environmental science and geochemistry. This experience reinforced my desire to pursue a career as a geochemist in the oilfield or mining industry, as I saw firsthand the critical role that geochemistry plays in these fields.” ~2024 RTX participant

“This research experience gave me more confidence to continue doing research and therefore apply to graduate school. It also brought me more insight into the process of applying to graduate school and steps to get started.” ~2024 RTX participant

Example Funding Levels: Donate today with any amount!

• $25 – Social Networking: Fund a student’s participation in a social networking and community building activity
• $50 – Program Supplies: Fund a student’s supplies for the program
• $100 – Field Trips: Fund a student’s participation in field trips and community building activities
• $250 – Pre-Program Workshop: Fund a student’s participation in the pre-program workshop
• $500 – Travel: Support a student’s travel stipends
• $1000 – Meals: Support meal stipends for a student
• $12000 – Complete RTX Experience: Support an in-person student research experience including travel, field trips, lodging, and meals