Interested in research opportunities at UVA and beyond? Read on to learn how you can apply for undergraduate research opportunities on Grounds (during the semester and summer) or across the country (summer).First, learn about ways to engage in undergraduate research with UVA Engineering and CS faculty members.
We've asked Engineering faculty to post opportunities within their labs in Handshake! In the Jobs section of Handshake, search for “Engineering Undergraduate Research” (the handful of posts that start with these three keywords are UVA specific you'll also find other engineering research opportunities with other orgs). Deadlines are as early as January 17. Questions? Contact engineeringcareers@virginia.edu.
In addition to applying to opportunities within Handshake, read these tips and advice on how to engage with research in the Engineering School.
Second, learn about existing research projects, institutes, and fellowships at UVA or those included in UVA's Office of Citizen Scholar Development Awards Database:
Joint-University Microelectronics Program Undergraduate Research Initiative (JUMP)
CS Undergraduate Research Posting Board
UVA Biocomplexity Institute Student Opportunities
iGEM, a student-led synthetic biology research program
UVA School of Medicine Summer Research Internship Program
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center College Research Programs
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Amgen Scholars Program
Third, check out the VA-NC Alliance's Summer Research Program.
Students from UVA and other universities in Virginia and North Carolina can apply to this program, which will be hosted by UVA in Summer 2023! Participants are expected to devote at least 40 hours per week to research and other program activities, with an emphasis placed on conducting research in a lab setting where well-defined research goals, frequent communication, and significant contributions from multiple researchers are central to the success of a given project. The program also offers a writing workshop, graduate school preparation, guest speaker presentations on topics related to STEM, and field trips to local attractions. Compensation is a $4,200 stipend for the entire summer plus housing. Learn more and apply by February 15.
Finally, consider applying to summer research opportunities across the country through NSF's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU).
In an REU, you'll work with a team on a specific research project, be granted a stipend, and in many cases, assistance with housing and travel. Many deadlines are as early as late January and early February while others are in early March. Applications may require an online application, unofficial transcript, personal statement, and/or letters of recommendation.
Learn more and search for opportunities.
Tips:
Search by field of interest (there are 118 REUs in Engineering but you can also choose Materials Research, Computer and Information Science and Engineering, and others)
Search by state REUs take place across the country
Search by research areas/keywords
You'll also find some REU listings in Handshake, which often point back towards the NSF site.
Schedule an advising appointment or drop by during drop-in advising hours if we can support your search for a research opportunity (during the summer or academic year).