To promote outstanding undergraduate research, the Office of Undergraduate Research offers financial support in the form of Undergraduate Research Awards.

The Office of Undergraduate Research offers competetively-awarded financial support to Washington University undergraduates pursuing research from all academic backgrounds.  Summer research in the life sciences, however, is funded through the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program.  Nominations for research that qualifies for the SURF program will NOT be considered for OUR Summer Undergraduate Research Awards.  Summer Undergraduate Research Awards cannot  fund research experiences that require a fee or tuition, for which academic credit is given, and/or provide financial compensation.

Students seeking Summer Undergraduate Research Awards must seek nomination from a Washington University faculty mentor in their field of research. If you need help finding a mentor, see Finding a Mentor or contact the Office of Undergraduate Research.  The nomination packet must include the student information form, the mentor nomination form and letter, the research proposal, and the budget and budget narrative. While it is the student’s responsibility to provide the mentor with all necessary forms and required documents, we expect the production of the nomination packet to be a collaborative effort between the mentor and the student, with the student completing the majority of the paperwork.  In the past, the awards have been up to $4000.

Although the application deadline for Summer Undergraduate Research Awards was March 1st, late packets will be accepted.  Award decisions will be made on a rolling basis IF funds are available.