Summer Programs at the UW

Program Description:

The SIAH is a research opportunity for undergraduates to engage in scholarly research with accomplished scholars and peers while earning full-time academic credit. Participants will be named Mary Gates scholars and receive a $7,500 scholarship. Students will give a formal presentation of their work to their colleagues and the larger community at a closing symposium.

For more information:
Website – Summer Institute in the Arts and Humanities

Program Description:

The Summer Institute in Indigenous Humanities provides training and support to undergraduate students and community partners undertaking humanities research in American Indian and Indigenous Studies over three weeks in the summer. This program:

• Introduces students to Indigenous research methodologies
• Provides examples of Indigenous approaches to archives, ethnography, and field work.
• Facilitates students’ independent research
• Provides research presentation experience

For more information:
Website – Center for American Indian and Indigenous Studies Programs

Program Description:

This internship program is designed to help UW undergraduates gain project-based real-world experience and learn about substance use research, policy, and practice. The projects will also give interns an opportunity to connect with UW faculty and staff and visit community partners working in a variety of settings. This year, the project span the ADAI Information Services team, the Cannabis Education & Research Program (CERP), and the Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology & Research (CEDEER).

For more information:

Website – ADAI Summer Internship Program

Program Description:

The Apex Summer Camp program at the University of Washington Autism Center offers a 7-week clinical internship to graduate and undergraduate students focusing on medicine, psychology, education, speech language pathology, occupational therapy, nursing, and related fields.

For more information:
Website –  Apex Summer Camp

(Opportunity available during academic year)

Program Description:

The Supporting Undergraduate Research Experiences in Environmental Health (SURE-EH) program provides research opportunities to UW undergrads, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, with a meaningful opportunity to work with experienced faculty on a research project addressing the relationship between environmental exposures and human health.

With funds provided by a NIEHS grant, SURE-EH trainees work as paid student researchers for up to 2 years: 20 to 30 hours per week during summer and part-time (up to 13 hours per week) during the academic year.  SURE-EH trainees will also be asked to present their research every spring at the UW Undergraduate Research Symposium and attend program sponsored events and courses throughout their appointment.

For more information:
Website – SURE-EH

Program Description:

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is an intensive, nine-week internship for undergraduates entering the summer before their final year, semester, or quarter of study. It’s designed to provide research experience and mentorship for students interested in biomedical research. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, interns will complete an independent research project and present their findings at a competitive poster session.

For more information:
Website – Summer Undergraduate Research Program, Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center

Program Description:

HIPRC’s Summer Research Program (INSIGHT)  is an intensive, eight-week summer internship for undergraduate students. Applications are open from mid-November to early-January for the coming summer. INSIGHT provides paid research experience and mentorship for students who are interested in injury and violence prevention research. Participants are matched to research projects and partnered with health sciences faculty from across the University of Washington and work alongside peers and health professionals from an array of disciplines.

For more information:
Website – INSIGHT: Summer Research Program

Program Description:

ISCRM Undergraduate Summer Fellows program, supported by resources from the State of Washington, are competitive fellowships intended to enhance the educational experiences of undergraduate students at the University of Washington while they are engaged in research guided by UW ISCRM faculty. We hope that with research fellowships, students may focus more attention and time, deepening their inquiry into a discipline or project with a reduced financial burden. Students receive fellowships to pursue research in multiple disciplines pertaining to regenerative medicine. $6000 awards will be awarded.

For more information:
Website – ISCRM Undergraduate Summer Fellows Program

Program Description:

The University of Washington (UW) Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM) and partnering departments (e.g., Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Orthopedics) sponsor a 10-week summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Seattle, WA. The program provides undergraduate students with opportunities to work on research projects with leading scientists. The program also offers workshop training sessions in communications, scientific presentation skills, and ethics; as well as professional development lunch & learn. This opportunity is open to all eligible persons (regardless of race, sex or other identity) who are committed to ensuring the fields of regenerative medicine, biology, and engineering are represented by a broad spectrum of perspectives, worldviews, and lived experiences.

For more information:
Website – ISCRM REU

Applications for the 2026 Program are now closed.

Program Description:

The NSSSP provides undergraduates with an 8-week neuroscience lab experience, weekly neurological surgery grand round lectures, weekly neuroscience faculty lecture, and operation room (OR) observation. The program inspires students by exposing them to the passion and excitement of biomedical science and medical care through direct practical engagement with translational neuroscience.

For more information:
Website – Neuroscience Summer Student Program

Program Description:

The Population Health Applied Research Fellowship Program supports multidisciplinary teams of students to work on real-world population health challenges. Projects are sourced from external clients who play an important role in structuring project deliverables. The team will consist of three graduate students and two undergraduates, with supervision by a faculty expert. The project team receives training in research skills and data collection, analysis and presentation to deliver a work product that meets the external client’s needs.

For more information:
Website – Population Health Applied Research Fellowship Program

Program Description:

SHPEP is a free 6-week (2 weeks virtual 4 weeks in-person) summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions. SHPEP’s goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools.

SHPEP is implemented at 11 program sites across the nation. Each site provides scholars with academic enrichment in the basic sciences and math, career development activities, learning and study skills seminars, financial planning; wellness and a variety of hands-on activities. SHPEP at the University of Washington is a collaboration of the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Public Health.

Contact:
Website – Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)

Program Description

The Summer Scholars Program provides undergraduate students with a summer internship opportunity to engage in basic, clinical, community-based or translational research projects at Seattle Children’s Research Institute under the mentorship of experienced researchers. Students must have a strong background and interest in the biomedical sciences, behavioral health, public health or a related STEM field. Ideal candidates are interested in pursuing graduate studies in the biomedical sciences or a career in medicine or public health.Prior formal research experience is not required. Program applicants seeking their first formal research internship will be prioritized over applicants who have completed other research internship programs. Scientific advancements and biomedical research benefit everyone. Therefore, we are committed to recruiting students from all communities to become the next generation of leaders in science and medicine.

Contact
Website – Summer Scholars Program (SSSP) – Seattle Children’s

Program Description
Begun in 2024, the Nelson-Mendenhall Summer Scholars Program (NMP) provides funded opportunities for undergraduate students – from two- and four-year colleges and universities – to conduct research with faculty members at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy. Research in the School of Pharmacy tackles some of the most pressing medical challenges of our day including discovering new ways to treat disease, and making drug treatments safer, more accessible, affordable and effective. NMP Scholars will have the chance to spend 10 weeks working side-by-side with graduate students, research scientists, and UW faculty on projects from developing an HIV vaccine or new treatments for dementia, to understanding how medications affect babies in the womb, to creating better and safer treatments for brain injuries and cancer.

Contact
Website – Nelson-Mendenhall Summer Scholars Program

Program Description:

The CNT at the University of Washington sponsors a 10-week Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) on the Seattle campus. This program provides undergraduate students with opportunities to work on research projects with scientists and to take part in workshop training sessions in ethics, communications, and scientific presentation skills designed to provide the undergraduate scientist with a solid foundation for graduate study.

For more information:
Website – Center for Neurotechnology, Research Experience for Undergraduates

Program Description:

The Department of Genome Sciences, in partnership with the National Science Foundation and the Brotman Baty Institute, provides summer research opportunities for undergraduate students. We are looking for students who aspire to enroll in either PhD or MD / PhD programs after their undergraduate studies.

For more information:
Website – UW Genome Sciences Summer REU

Program Description:

Since 2008, the Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies (CICOES) has welcomed undergraduate students from across the United States and U.S. territories to participate in a nine-week summer internship that opens doors to hands-on research and scientific discovery. Each intern works closely with a mentor — an experienced scientist at the University of Washington (UW) or one of our federal partners, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) — to design, carry out, and share the results of a research project within one of our research themes. Depending on the project and mentor expertise, your summer might include computational analysis, fieldwork, laboratory experiments, or a mix of all three. By the end of the program, you’ll share your work through three key research products: a research poster, a 90-second video, and a write-up.

For more information:
Website – CICOES Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates

Program Description:

The REU-Blinks Summer Internship Program links undergraduate students with scientist-mentors as collaborators in marine science research projects. The program takes advantage of the pristine environment, remarkable biodiversity, and the scientific and technical resources at UW Friday Harbor Laboratories, a marine science research facility in the San Juan Islands.

For more information:
Website – REU-Blinks Summer Internship Program

Program Description:

The Physics REU program at the University of Washington Bothell hosts undergraduate research students for 8 weeks during the summer to participate in research projects, professional development activities, and an introduction to research-oriented careers in physics and astronomy. Participants will be matched with faculty mentors based on student interests and will join a cohort of students participating in weekly seminars, workshops, and an introduction to research resources and skills.

For more information:
Website – UW Bothell Physics REU

Program Description: 

This program provides a 10-week research experience for undergraduates interested in subfields of physics. All of the major groups in the department are participating: astrophysics and cosmology, atomic physics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, particle physics, physics education, biological physics, and computational physics. Students meet weekly to discuss their research progress with the program directors and to attend a lecture series on research opportunities in physics.

For more information:
Website – UW Physics REU

Program Description:

CEBR REU is a summer program run by the University of Washington (UW) Clean Energy Institute (CEI) and Office of Undergraduate Research, and funded by the National Science Foundation (NFS). It supports a select group of undergraduates, community college students, and tribal college students to participate in authentic research in solar, energy storage, and grid technologies under the mentorship of UW’s world-class faculty and grad students. Participants embark on a nine-week immersive research project in a single UW clean energy research lab, and produce an abstract and poster summarizing their work. All students that are accepted into the program are supported financially with competitive stipends. Housing, food allowance, and up to $500 in travel allowances are provided.

For more information:
Website – Clean Energy Bridge to Research

Program Description:

The IMOD REU program is designed to provide undergraduate students from 2yr and 4yr institutions with an opportunity to participate in authentic research in chemical synthesis of quantum photonic materials and integration printable electronic applications under the mentorship of world-class faculty and graduate students. Participants embark on a nine- to ten-week immersive research project in a single IMOD research lab and produce an abstract and poster summarizing their work. Students may be placed at a number of different participating IMOD labs and will participate in shared virtual seminars and symposia and will become members of the IMOD community.

For more information:
Website – IMOD Research Experience for Undergraduates

Program Description:

Located in Seattle, this paid research program offers a unique opportunity for students from around the world to gain skills in computational and experimental protein design. All participants will conduct research in an IPD Member Lab. Students from underrepresented communities are highly encouraged to apply. Selected undergraduates will receive a stipend of $3,200 per month for nine weeks of full-time research (40 hours per week), aligning with the UW summer term from June through August. Participants will:

• Collaborate with their assigned program mentor and others at the IPD to perform significant research projects.
• Enroll in a 2-credit course supported by the Institute for Protein Design
• Attend weekly seminars enhancing their research experience.
• Share their research findings both as a poster at a symposium and as a talk to the IPD.

For more information:
Website – Summer Research Program, Institute for Protein Design

Program Description:

Interns in this geographically-distributed REU program have the opportunity to participate in research using the Rosetta Commons software. The Rosetta Commons software suite includes algorithms for computational modeling and analysis of protein structures. It has enabled notable scientific advances in computational biology, including de novo protein design, enzyme design, ligand docking, and structure prediction of biological macromolecules and macromolecular complexes.

For more information:
Website – Rosetta Commons Summer Internships

Program Description:

Established in 2015, the Mathematics Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at the University of Washington Bothell provides a unique opportunity for undergraduate students from underrepresented groups to explore mathematical research and prepare for graduate studies. Over an 8-week summer experience, participants work on impactful research projects alongside dedicated faculty mentors, engage in professional development workshops, build lasting connections with peers and present their research results. With a focus on fostering diversity and inclusion, the program combines rigorous academics with a fun, supportive environment to inspire the next generation of mathematicians.

For more information:
Website – https://UW Bothell Mathematics REU Program

Program Description:

The REU Program Quantum@UW is a 10-week NSF-funded research program at the University of Washington in Seattle. It is designed to offer undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct research on a variety of topics in Quantum Information Science and Engineering ranging from theory and applications (quantum algorithms, cryptography, and complexity theory) to experiments (quantum hardware technologies and architectures).

For more information:
Website – REU Program: Quantum@UW

Program Description:

In this program, you will be embedded in one of the MEM-C labs for 9 weeks during Summer Quarter. You will work with a graduate student and faculty to develop a research project, gain training in relevant techniques and instrumentation, and collect data, culminating in the preparation of a poster summarizing your research results to be presented at the end-of-program Summer Research Poster Session. REU students participate in a weekly seminar on undergraduate research covering topics such as research ethics, writing a research abstract, and making a scientific poster. Students will participate in tours of other labs and a weekly materials science journal club, in which students take turns giving a literature presentation on a published research paper assigned by their mentor.

For more information:
Website – MEM-C REU

Program Description: 

Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) offers paid research opportunities for undergraduate students with limited research experience to explore a new environment and network with mentors. This summer research program helps students decide if they want to pursue a research career. Participants will receive a $4100 stipend award to offset living expenses during this learning experience. Student researchers work under the guidance of a faculty member, postdoctoral scholar, or research scientist at a Space Grant affiliate institution. Some projects may involve off-campus locations or fieldwork. You can view examples of previous student work here.

For more information:
Website – Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)