Verified opportunities from real institutions
Your path to research starts here.
Find paid research programs, grants, fellowships, scholarships, and volunteer paths from official sources—primarily U.S. and North America, with select international programs. 100% Free Forever.
Legendary STEM Pipelines
Real, step-by-step pathways built from official programs, grants, fellowships, scholarships, and volunteer opportunities.
Recommended This Week
Most time-sensitive opportunities to act on now.
Research Opportunity YouTube Guides
Free channels that teach you how to find research opportunities, build applications, and navigate STEM pathways.
Featured
NITR Science
Official channel from NITR with student-centered research guidance, translational science insights, and opportunity navigation tips.
Watch channel →
NIH
Federal research ecosystem updates, biomedical science explainers, and scientist career stories.
Watch channel →
NSF
Research spotlights and funding ecosystem context useful for students exploring science careers.
Watch channel →
NASA STEM
STEM learning pathways, internships context, and field-specific inspiration across space and engineering.
Watch playlist →🎉 Your path to research starts here. Everything is Completely Free
No credit card required. No hidden fees. No premium tiers. Access everything forever - free.
Research Opportunities
Browse unlimited paid research opportunities from top institutions nationwide. From summer internships to year-long programs.
Grants & Funding
Access thousands of grants for college applications, grad school, conference travel, poster sessions, research supplies, and more.
AI Writer
Get unlimited help with personal statements, research proposals, CVs, and application essays with our AI assistant.
Application Tracking
Save unlimited applications, track deadlines, set reminders, and manage your entire academic journey in one place.
US & North America Opportunities
Focused primarily on U.S. and North America student-facing programs, with select international listings when verified and clearly student-accessible.
No sign-up required. No email required. Just click and explore.
About
FirstLab™
FirstLab™ is a completely free platform dedicated to democratizing access to research opportunities,
grants, and academic funding for first-generation and underrepresented STEM students.
Our Mission
We believe that access to research opportunities should never be limited by cost. Our mission is to democratize research access for all students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Made Possible By
Nexus Institute for Translational Research (NITR)
This application was developed and is maintained by the Nexus Institute for Translational Research, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing translational research and supporting the next generation of scientists.
Learn more about NITR →Research Readiness Score
Complete your profile to unlock better matches and boost your chances.
Quick Actions
Top Matches for You
Grants to Explore
Access Everything for Free
FirstLab™ is completely free for students. No limits on opportunities, grants, or AI assistance.
Free Access
- Unlimited research opportunities
- Unlimited grants database
- AI Writing Assistant
- Research readiness score
- Application tracking
- Community support
Why Free?
We believe that access to research opportunities should never be limited by cost. Our mission is to democratize research access for all students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.