Undergraduate Research Programs for UA Students
Year-Round Programs
Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs)
VIPs engage undergraduate and graduate students in ambitious, long-term, large-scale, multidisciplinary project teams that are led by faculty. VIP Teams at the University of Arizona are engaged in research and design projects to address the grand challenges of our times. VIPs offer a dynamic approach to learning, research, and creative inquiry that crosses disciplines, semesters, and academic years. For more information, visit the VIP website at https://uavip.arizona.edu/.
The AWARDSS-PLUS program, funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, is open to undergraduate (junior and senior), postbaccalaureate (within 5 years), and master degree students who are interested in conducting a project that is relevant to US education (across the lifespan) and plan to pursue a PhD program in an education-related field, such as education, social science, family studies, STEM education, psychology, special education, and public health. The AWARDSS program emphasizes a positive psychology framework embedded in a public health model to support students as they explore topics related to inclusiveness and accessibility (Access), physical and psychological well-being (Wellness), relationships (Relational Determinants), and/or student success.
Homeland Security Professional Opportunities for Student Workforce to Experience Research (HS-POWER)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate Office of University Programs sponsors the Professional Opportunities for Student Workforce to Experience Research (HS-POWER) Program for undergraduate and graduate students. HS-POWER is open to students majoring in a broad spectrum of homeland security related science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines as well as DHS mission-relevant research areas. Participants in the HS-POWER Program participate in quality research experiences at federal research facilities and other HS-STEM focused entities nationwide.
Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program
The Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program is a federal TRIO program that is designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through research and our grad school prep coursework. At UArizona, the McNair program is run through the Graduate College’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Consortium along with the Summer Research Institute, Minimizing Health Disparities, UROC-PREP, and AWARDSS-PLUS. UROC’s Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program is for students who come from backgrounds underrepresented in graduate education and have an interest in pursuing a doctoral degree (PhD). Students interested in professional school (i.e. MD, JD, DVM) are not eligible.
UA/NASA Space Grant Program (Arizona Space Grant)
Provides undergraduates who are exploring career options the opportunity to broaden their education with a rich, hands-on experience with the full process of inquiry and discovery. This includes all STEM majors and those traditionally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Summer Programs
American Indian Research Center for Health (AIRCH)
AIRCH is a collaborative project between the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) and the University of Arizona (UA) to encourage practical research that improves the health status of American Indian people, increases the number of American Indian scientists and health professionals engaged in research, educates non-Indians about the need for culturally appropriate health research within American Indian communities and research institutions, and includes Tribes as stakeholders in the processes of conducting research on their reservations and in the dissemination of the research findings. The ITCA-UA partnership has been awarded three rounds of AIRCH funding, with projects in place since 2003.
Biosphere 2 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (Biosphere 2 REU)
The REU program at Biosphere 2 is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation. We share the goals of the NSF to use the REU experience as a way to provide research opportunities for students who might not have such opportunities readily available at their home institutions. The summer program will allow students to gain experience in research firsthand, training and preparation for careers in science, and opportunities to communicate science to diverse audiences. Students will also work with partner organizations at the University of Arizona to connect research findings to applied environmental solutions. Participation in the REU program will help prepare students for graduate studies in science.
Border Latino & American Indian Summer Exposure to Research (BLAISER)
Border Latino and American Indian Summer Exposure to Research (BLAISER) was created to address health disparities in Arizona’s ethnically diverse and fast-growing communities. This cutting edge 10-week, undergraduate research experience provides an extraordinary laboratory training opportunity, pairing the junior and senior level student-scholars with preeminent UA health sciences researchers. This is a premier research experience for undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds arming them with skills to make them competitive and successful in their pursuit of post-secondary education and research. This program is held annually in the summer to allow students the opportunity to immerse themselves on campus at the University of Arizona.
This REU site will support 10 students over the summer. Students will participate as researchers for the summer, working side by side with graduate researchers and faculty who are experts in cognitive radio and autonomous ground vehicles. A research experience in autonomous driving and its many applications.
Clean Energy Bridge to Research Summer Program
The Clean Energy Bridge to Research (CEBR) is a summer research program sponsored by the University of Washington (UW) Clean Energy Institute (CEI). It supports a select group of undergraduates to participate in authentic research in solar, energy storage, and grid technologies under the mentorship of UW faculty and graduate students. The program is for students who have completed their first or second year of college and involves a nine-week immersive summer research project in a UW lab. Apply by February 15 for the summer 2022 program.
Focusing Research on the Border Area (FRONTERA) Border Health Scholars Program
FRONTERA Border Health Scholars is a 10-week summer program that gives you the chance to explore public health disparities in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome. Get practical, hands-on research experience in research, and build relationships with experienced scientists, researchers and public health professionals.
Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC)
The MARC Program is a unique research, mentoring, financial and academic opportunity for undergraduates belonging to a group considered underrepresented in biomedical research and who have the interest and potential to pursue a PhD or combined PhD (e.g. MD/PhD) degree. The program is a two-year program intended for the last two years of a student’s enrollment at the University of Arizona.
Molecular Engineering Materials Center (MEM-C) Summer REU and RET Programs
The MEM-C program is a 9-week program at the University of Washington Molecular Engineering Materials Center lab. The UW MEM·C summer REU program is focused on exposing underrepresented minorities and veterans to a viable and relevant career pathway focused on materials and energy research. Participants will find that the research topics are challenging and relevant. How can we provide mobile, lightweight, and inexpensive energy sources to our forces and to the communities they work with? How can materials research lead to new electronics that are super miniaturized, low energy consumption, and reliable? How can new kinds of sensors be used to improve safety, efficiency, and effectiveness?
Minimizing Health Disparities (MHD)
The University of Arizona Graduate College offers a prestigious summer research opportunity focused on health issues that affect minority communities in a disproportionate manner.
Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention Program (NACP)
A paid internship designed to facilitate the entry of Native Americans into biomedical research and healthcare professions while engaging communities in research and training relevant to their needs. The Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention (NACP) is a collaboration between Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona Cancer Center, funded through the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI). Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity (PACHE) U54 mechanism. The mission is to alleviate the unequal burden of cancer among Native Americans of the Southwest through research, training, and community outreach programs in collaboration with the communities we serve. There are several primary Core components, including Research, Outreach and Education. Dr. Francine C. Gachupin is the UA Outreach Core lead.
Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics' Summer Undergraduate Research
Each summer, five UBRP students are selected to receive an American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics’ Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (ASPET SURF). These students work with faculty mentors who are members of ASPET, and are partially funded by ASPET. ASPET SURF students participate in all UBRP activities, but additionally enjoy free student membership in ASPET (which entitles them to apply for travel funds to present at ASPET meetings as well as other benefits) as well a summer networking lunch with fellow ASPET students and mentors.
Research in Cognitive, High Frequency, and Advanced Telecommunications (REU-High Frequency)
A 10-week research for undergraduate (REU) program on advanced high frequency communications, artificial intelligence, networks, protocols, antennas, and algorithms. Students will work side-by-side with faculty and graduate research assistants who are experts in these areas. REU will support 8 students each will receive up to $500 travel allowance, $6,000 stipend, on-campus housing, and letters of recommendation from faculty mentors.
Summer Research Institute (SRI)
The Summer Research Institute (SRI) offers an outstanding opportunity to learn how to conduct research, enjoy your summer, and prepare for graduate studies at The University of Arizona.
The program is seeking Undergraduate and Master’s level students who are under-represented in cancer research and practice to come to the University of Arizona for a 12-week educational experience in cancer prevention and control.
Undergraduate Biology Research Program (UBRP)
The Undergraduate Biology Research Program (UBRP) is an educational program designed to teach students science by involving them in biologically related research. Students are paid for their time in the lab where they develop an understanding of scientific method and receive a realistic view of biological research.
UROC-PREP is a year-round undergraduate research and mentoring program for students who come from backgrounds underrepresented in graduate education and have interest in pursuing a research oriented graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) at UA. Students interested in professional school (i.e. MD, JD, DVM) are not eligible.