University Scholars Program

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. 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 2025-2026 University Scholars Program, students will conduct research during the 2025-2026 academic year via Fall, Spring, and/or Summer terms (you must not earn your bachelor’s degree before May 2026).

Application Process

  1. 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.
  2. Contact your research faculty of interest to nominate you for University Scholars consideration via the Faculty Nomination Form before the Faculty Nomination deadline.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 HWCOE 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.
  • HWCOE 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.
  • HWCOE faculty determine all final nominations for University Scholars undergraduate research positions.  HWCOE administration determines all final selections making every effort to allocate available positions fairly across engineering departments/faculty.

Timeline
February 7, 2025 – Faculty Nomination Deadline
March 3, 2025 – Student Selection Deadline and Notification

Selected Students

  • Must attend a zoom orientation session with the information provided within the acceptance letter from the CURS Office. 
  • Must register for ENG 4912.
  • Participate in undergraduate research for 2-3 consecutive terms:  Summer 2025/Fall 2025/Spring 2026 or Fall 2025/Spring 2026
  • Will receive a $1,750 stipend disbursed in two phases: $750 for Fall 2025 in September 2025 and $1,000 for Spring 2026 in April 2026
  • 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 25th Annual UF Undergraduate Research Symposium, TBD 2026

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

Lauren Rudtke
Administrative Specialist, Center for Undergraduate Research
202 Newell Hall
University of Florida
lkrudtke@ufl.edu
352-846-3222

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

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

National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)
http://www.cur.org

National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates
http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/