The Office of Undergraduate Research is proud to introduce the cohorts for the 2025-26 Washington Research Foundation Fellows and the Levinson Emerging Scholars awards. Awardees receive up to $8,000 that can be used toward their undergraduate research experiences, and helps push the frontiers of new biological technologies forward.
Today we are excited to announce the 10 recipients of the Washington Research Foundation Fellowship (WRFF) and the 16 recipients of the Levinson Emerging Scholars (LES) awards. Of nearly 150 applicants, these undergraduate researchers have showcased high motivation, independence, and innovation in the advancement of new biological technologies through their contributions in undergraduate research. With the award, these researchers can spend up to $8,000 in support of both their academic/education and research experiences. Meet the awardees below and learn more about both the WRFF and LES programs.
Washington Research Foundation Fellowship
The fellows
Click here to meet the 2025-26 WRF Fellows!
About the fellowship program
The Washington Research Foundation Fellowships (WRFF) for Advanced Undergraduates Program is designed to support promising students who work on creative and sophisticated research projects in biosciences and related fields under the guidance of UW faculty. The Washington Research Foundation generously supports this program in an effort to recognize and support undergraduates who achieve a high level of accomplishment in research, particularly in areas relevant to the development of new technologies. The program is designed for undergraduates who have already participated in undergraduate research for at least three quarters and who are working beyond an introductory level in a project that requires creativity and advanced knowledge.
Levinson Emerging Scholars
The scholars
Click here to meet the 2025-26 Levinson Scholars!
About the scholars program
The Levinson Emerging Scholars Program is funded through a generous gift from Art (UW ’72) and Rita Levinson. Art Levinson is the current CEO of Calico, chairman of Apple Inc., and former chairman and CEO of Genentech, one of the world’s leading biotech companies focusing on medical technologies. Research played a pivotal role in Art Levinson’s education and professional development and the Levinsons wanted to encourage talented undergraduates to pursue advanced bioscience and related research. Much as Art Levinson used the flexibility of independent studies to assume responsibility for designing his UW education, for students selected to be Levinson Emerging Scholars, involvement in research is 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.