Eligibility

To apply for support from the Levinson Emerging Scholars Program, a student must:

be a current UW undergraduate engaged in a research project in genetics, neurobiology, biochemistry, bioinformatics or related fields in the life sciences;
propose to continue or initiate a research project for the duration of the award (1-3 quarters) that shows some level of independence and originality;
have completed the equivalent of two years of university-level coursework and have had at least 3 quarters of prior research experience (or equivalent);
receive guidance from a UW faculty member serving as the student’s research mentor (applicants may also be working with a graduate student, staff, and/or post-doctoral associate in addition to the faculty mentor);
submit a completed application packet, including a detailed budget, to the URP

Note that in lieu of application deadlines, students may initiate the proposal process at any time. The URP will review proposals on an ongoing basis and will designate key target dates when the faculty review committee will convene and select awardees.

Application Components

As junior colleagues in an intensive research community, Levinson Scholars will make involvement in research the driving force of their education as they pursue independent projects of their own design supported by their mentors and other members of their lab or group. Thus, Levinson Emerging Scholars applicants will be expected to submit a full research proposal, including:

Application cover sheet with anticipated date of graduation and personal data, including number of hours per week spent on research;
An abstract of your research project (limit to 300 words);
An unofficial copy of the student's most recent transcript(s);
A research plan (2-3 pages not including figures and references, single spaced): Significant questions or problems the research pursues, methods, a proposed timeline, and key colleagues who will collaborate with the student
A statement of educational and long term goals (1-2 pages, single spaced): The role of the proposed work in meeting the student's educational goals, articulation of a customized course of study as appropriate that is developed in collaboration with the student's degree program, and proposed graduate study and professional goals
A budget and budget justification: A budget for the proposed project that identifies support for the student, including but not limited to: scholarship for educational expenses; modest support for research books, supplies, or materials; travel and conference fees for presenting research at professional meetings
Faculty mentor recommendation form: The recommendation form should be completed by the University of Washington faculty mentor for the student's proposed research (Students may not submit a mentor recommendation form from a graduate student or teaching assistant.)
Note: The faculty mentor recommendation form should be in a sealed envelope signed by the author. The mentor should be reminded to either mail it directly to the Undergraduate Research Program, 120 MGH, Box 352803, or the applicant should include it in the sealed envelope with her or his application materials.

Selection Criteria

Evaluation of each application will be based on:

merit of the applicant’s academic record;
demonstrated potential for the applicant to achieve significant scholarly advancement through completing the proposed research;
level of independence and originality of the applicant’s proposed research project;
willingness of the faculty mentor to allow the applicant to work independently;
potential for applicant to make important future contributions to their field; and
the ability of the mentor and research environment to facilitate the project’s success.

Requirements

Levinson Emerging Scholars will be expected to:

Remain active in the research project described in their application for the duration of the award;
Provide quarterly project updates to program administrators and funders; and
Present their results in the Annual UW Undergraduate Research Symposium.

The URP will provide support to Levinson Scholars, including research skills workshops, events to interact with other researchers, and career development opportunities. Levinson Emerging Scholars are also encouraged to attend UW events and other gatherings that welcome them to participate with a larger community of scholars.

Number of Awardees

Three to ten students will be named new Levinson Scholars each year. Award amounts will be flexible and variable, with each award tailored to the student's plans to support the goal of fully involving Levinson Scholars in research year-round.