Freshwater@UW Summer Research Opportunities Program

The Freshwater@UW Summer Research Opportunities Program is a mentored summer research program providing immersive, hands-on research experiences in freshwater science across the 13 Universities of Wisconsin. It places undergraduate students with research faculty and staff at multiple UW campuses for a paid summer research experience including professional development and a capstone symposium. The program aims to train, recruit, and retain the next generation of freshwater professionals through cross-site interdisciplinary programming. Funding is provided for a stipend, housing and travel for selected participants.

Paid stipend ($6,600), housing, travel support to/from Madison, professional development seminars, mentored research experience, presentation opportunity at Summer Research Symposium.

Undergraduate students enrolled through at least the fall 2026 semester; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; minimum GPA 3.0 (exceptions considered); must commit full-time (~40 hours/week) and may not be employees of the Universities of Wisconsin during the program.

Applicants rank top five projects and submit name/contact info, demographics, current school & major, essays, at least one letter of recommendation, and transcript via the online application form.