University Scholars Program

The University Scholars Program introduces undergraduate students at the University of Florida to the exciting world of academic research. In this program, students work one-on-one with UF faculty on selected research projects. Through this initiative, students will take away an understanding of and appreciation for the scholarly method. Selected students receive a $1,750 stipend split between the fall and spring terms ($750 in fall, $1,000 in spring). The program will consist of undertaking a full research project primarily during the fall and spring semesters of the academic year, under the guidance of a faculty member. The University Scholars Program serves as an exceptional capstone to the academic careers of UF students.

Eligibility & Requirements

All undergraduate engineering students in good academic standing are eligible for consideration.
Preference may be given to students considering engineering graduate school Master’s and/or Ph.D. programs at UF or elsewhere. Students with a minimum 3.50 cumulative undergraduate GPA align with Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering Ph.D. graduate admissions standards. Students with a minimum 3.00 GPA meet UF minimum graduate school admission criteria and Master’s degree potential selection.
Preference may be given to students with Junior or Senior status. (If you’re a Freshman or Sophomore, click here for information on the Emerging Scholars Program)
For the 2026-2027 University Scholars Program, students will conduct research during the 2026-2027 academic year during the Fall and Spring terms (you must not earn your bachelor’s degree before May 2027).

Application Process

Find a research faculty and project of interest that is accepting University Scholars participants. Use this resource list of available projects to assist your search but it is also recommended that you: research department websites, view faculty websites, visit labs, contact Ph.D. students, reach out to faculty directly.
Contact your research faculty of interest to nominate you for University Scholars consideration via the Faculty Nomination Form before the faculty nomination deadline.
After you have been nominated for consideration for the program, submit this online form. Engineering students must be nominated by a UF Engineering Faculty to be considered for the University Scholars Program.
All nominated students will receive a follow-up response from the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Undergraduate Research announcing the results of the selection process.

Selection Process

There are 35 Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering University Scholars Program positions available paid in full by UF CURS. Up to 35 additional positions are available if individual engineering faculty have funding to pay for more students.
University Scholars positions are for Engineering students only; the only exception is if an engineering faculty member has funds to pay the full $1,750 student stipend for a non-engineering student.
College faculty determine all final nominations for University Scholars undergraduate research positions. College administration determines all final selections making every effort to allocate available positions fairly across engineering departments/faculty.

Timeline
February 6, 2026 – Faculty Nomination Deadline
February 27, 2026 – Student Selection Deadline and Notification

Requirements for Selected Students

Complete two full semesters of undergraduate research. Students who do not complete the full program will be required to repay UF for the full stipend amount.
Attend a zoom orientation session with the information provided within the acceptance letter from the CURS Office.
Register for ENG 4912.
Participate in undergraduate research for 2 consecutive terms: Fall 2026 – Spring 2027
Complete all prescribed requirements per the UF Center for Undergraduate Research at http://cur.aa.ufl.edu/ (i.e. research papers, journal submissions, publications, etc.)
Present at the Annual UF Undergraduate Research Symposium in early April 2027
Complete exit survey

2024-2025 University Scholars Selections

2023-2024 University Scholars Selections

2021-2022 University Scholars Selections

2020-2021 University Scholars Selections

2019-2020 University Scholars Selections

2018-2019 University Scholars Selections

2017-2018 University Scholars Selections

Contacts

Olivia Tyler
Assistant Director, Center for Undergraduate Research
202 Newell Hall
University of Florida
otyler@ufl.edu
352-273-2653

Krista Smith
Assistant Director of Graduate Recruiting & Undergraduate Research
Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
kristasmith@eng.ufl.edu

Resources

University Scholars Program
http://www.scholars.ufl.edu