Engineering Undergraduate Research Program
Undergraduate research is a great way to show technical experience, build scientific communication skills, and prepare for graduate school. USU undergraduates have unique opportunities to push the limits of human understanding, generate new knowledge, and solve problems that have never been solved before.
The following programs provide supplemental funds to heighten your undergraduate research experience, but you can still participate in research without joining these programs:
Freshmen and Sophomores
Undergraduate Research Fellows (URF)
- Eligibility: Any USU student with at least 6 semesters remaining before graduation, not limited to the College of Engineering.
- Benefits: A $500 stipend for every semester that you participate in undergraduate research, plus social events and workshops to heighten your undergraduate research experience.
- Deadlines: April 15 (early priority) and June 15
Engineering Grand Challenges Program
- Eligibility: Freshmen and sophomores in engineering
- Benefits: $750/year scholarship, plus a research mentorship in 1 of 14 Grand Challenges identified by the National Academy of Engineering
Juniors and Seniors
Goldwater Scholarship
- Eligibility: Sophomores and Juniors in STEM with a high GPA (historically 3.85+), prior research experience, and a demonstrated interest in a career in STEM research.
- Benefits: $7500/year scholarship, plus a prestigious national award that identifies you as one of the next leaders in STEM research.
- Deadlines: The USU faculty mentors will begin coaching students in early September to prepare competitive applications. The top 4 finalists will be submitted for national consideration in January.
Engineering Undergraduate Research Scholars
- Eligibility: Engineering students who will be accepted into their professional program by the start of their proposed project.
- Benefits: Matching funds for 3 semesters of paid research experience (at $12/hour for up to 450 hours)
- Deadlines: Annually late November or early April
Concurrent BS/MS Programs
- Eligibility: Juniors and seniors in engineering who meet a minimum GPA requirement (varies by department)
- Benefits: Ability to take 6000-level courses during your senior year. Can double-count up to 2 senior technical electives towards meeting MS degree requirements.
- Deadlines: First semester of senior year
Apply Any Time
Undergraduate Research & Creative Opportunities (URCO) Grants
- Eligibility: Any USU student from any major or any year in their program
- Benefits: Matching funds to cover a $1000 scholarship plus up to $1000 of research-related expenses
- Deadlines: June 15th, October 15th, or February 15th
Student Travel Awards
- Eligibility: Any USU student who is traveling to present research
- Benefits: Up to $200 to attend a regional conference (i.e. Utah and any state sharing a border), $300 to attend a national conference (i.e. any other state), or $400 to attend an international conference. These funds are generally matched 1:1 by the student’s academic department, and the research advisor can often cover any remaining costs.
- Deadlines: First come, first served