About NEXTRANS
The NEXTRANS Center is one of ten Regional University Transportation Centers selected competitively by the U.S. Department of Transportation to serve as leaders in meeting the nation’s need for safe, efficient, and environmentally-sound transportation systems. Headquartered at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, the Center represents Region V, which includes the states of Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. NEXTRANS was established in 2007 based on an award from USDOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), in order to implement a multidisciplinary program of transportation research, education, and technology transfer. The NEXTRANS Center is led by Purdue University, and administered by Purdue University’s Discovery Park. Its major university partners are University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and The Ohio State University (OSU).

Research
Participation in cutting-edge research is the core curriculum of the NEXTRANS Summer Internship. Faculty members from the Center’s partner universities are currently engaged in a range of NEXTRANS-funded projects that span transportation, logistics, and related domains. It is crucial that applicants take the time to explore the NEXTRANS Center’s new projects (2010-2011) at www.purdue.edu/dp/nextrans and select their top three areas of interest. Interns will be assigned to work on a NEXTRANS-funded project based on educational background, availability, and if possible, indicated interests.

Schedule
The internship is a 10-week program beginning Monday, May 23, 2011 and ending Sunday, July 31, 2011. (These dates may be adjusted for students on the quarter system). Selected students will complete their internship at Purdue University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or The Ohio State University. During this demanding program of study, interns are not permitted to undertake outside employment or academic study. Students will work 40 hours per week on NEXTRANS-related research and activities. In addition, students will meet with faculty members and research assistants as required, complete regular progress reports, compile a final research report, and deliver a formal presentation detailing activities and accomplishments.

(View the attached files for more information and the official application)