Undergraduate Research and Mentoring (URM)

General Info

The University of Wisconsin-Madison invites current UW freshman and transfer students interested in interdisciplinary research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to apply to be an Undergraduate Research and Mentoring (URM) Fellow.

Finding solutions to today’s complex problems like global warming, the spread of infectious diseases, and the uses of nanotechnology requires knowledge from many disciplines. URM fellows will learn interdisciplinary approaches to studying these types of problems and prepare themselves to become the next generation of scientists working to solve them.

Fellows participate in a 3-year program to prepare for admission and success in graduate school and careers in research. It offers a year round monthly stipend and the opportunity to learn to do research under the guidance of trained mentors. In addition, the fellows form and lead an interdisciplinary undergraduate learning community through shared course-work, monthly meetings, and leadership activities.

Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Freshman or first-year transfer students (URM fellows should have completed one year of post-secondary education before starting fellowship) majoring in one of the following disciplines with at least a 2.8 G.P.A are eligible to apply: biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and/or physics. Contact the Program Coordinator if you are unsure if your major qualifies. Selection to the URM is based on interest in pursuing a career in STEM research, essay responses, and an interview.

Students who are African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Southeast Asian, Native Alaskan or Native Pacific Islander; OR from low-income homes and the first in their family to attend college; OR have a documented disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application

The application is available in fill-able PDF form. Applications are due in the spring of each academic year. See our application page for more information.

Financial Support

The URM program provides fellows with a monthly stipend of $1,000 for the first two years of the program and will work with fellows and their research mentors to secure other sources of funding to maintain this support in the third year. This stipend supports research experiences and program participation during the school year, and full-time research during the summer.

URM Fellows may also request funding for travel and accommodations to present their research at conferences and meetings, as well as for participation in summer research at other institutions as needed.

Research Areas

URM accepts students with previous research experience as well as students just starting out as undergraduate researchers. The Entering Research Seminar - a URM program requirement - can provide URM fellows with instructions on how to find a research mentor.

Contact

  • Program Coordinator
  • David McCullough
  • (608) 890-2389
  • domccullough@wisc.edu

  • Program Director
  • Janet Branchaw, Ph.D.