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Polymer Science Advancing Biologically-Inspired Research Opportunities Across Disciplines (Poly-ABROAD)

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Poly-ABROAD connects the Virginia Tech Macromolecules Innovation Institute (VT MII) with the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPIP) in Mainz, Germany, a world-class institute for polymer science. VT MII is an interdepartmental, interdisciplinary institute that connects researchers across different departments at Virginia Tech with an interest in polymer science and engineering. Poly-ABROAD provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in and who are already engaged in research related to polymer science and engineering to spend 12 weeks at MPIP. Participants will be working on projects focusing on biologically inspired materials, aiming to mimic in synthetic materials the structural complexity, adaptability, degradability, and specificity exhibited by natural polymers like proteins. Costs covered include round-trip airfare, housing in Mainz, and stipends, among others.

Eligibility

  • U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident
  • Undergraduate and graduate students working on soft materials
  • Enrolled full-time at Virginia Tech

Program Details

The Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPIP) in Mainz, Germany is an internationally renowned institute for fundamental research into polymers, soft matter, and interfaces, with state-of-the-art research facilities and expert knowledge across 6 departments: biomolecular mechanics, physical chemistry of polymers, synthesis of macromolecules, molecular electronics, molecular spectroscopy, and physics at interfaces.

Poly-ABROAD connects VT MII with MPIP, taking inspiration from the structural complexity and functional specificity in biopolymers to create a new dynamic, sustainable, functional, and degradable materials. Poly-ABROAD participants will gain experience with unique instrumentation and expertise at MPIP, while MPIP will benefit from the program through increased international engagement.

The goal of Poly-ABROAD is to facilitate opportunities for participants to gain experience with the attitudes, lines of thinking, equipment, methodologies, scientific expertise, and multicultural environment at MPIP – an institution with representation from more than 65 nations. Participants will return from a summer in Mainz better able to incorporate biological principles into materials research, paving the way for new 21st century polymers that adapt and eventually degrade like natural polymers.

Participants will work on projects designed by the students with input from MII and MPIP faculty members and receive guidance and mentorship from experts at MPIP. The mentoring assignments will be done in an intentional manner, considering the participants’ proposed projects and expertise available at MPIP.

How to Apply

Interested students are encouraged to submit a Letter of Intent by October 5, 2026 to be considered for the 2027 cohort, who will be working at MPIP from May to August, 2027.

Eligible applicants will then be invited to prepare an approximately 4-page proposal that will be due end of October.

Learn More

Interested to learn more about Poly-ABROAD? Join us for information sessions:

  • Thursday, September 10, 2026, 12:00 – 1:00pm in Davidson Hall 225
  • Friday, September 11, 2026, 1:00 – 2:00pm in Davidson Hall 225

Questions?

For more information, please reach out to Dr. John Matson, jbmatson@vt.edu

This program is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (Award #2505386).