How To Apply
The Wyoming Research Scholars Program is a university-wide UW Science Initiative program that pairs undergraduate students with faculty mentors to participate in cutting-edge research starting as early as their freshman year. The program is open to incoming freshman students, incoming transfer students, and current UW undergraduate students majoring in STEM fields. This opportunity is only available to undergraduate students seeking a first bachelor’s degree.
Awards include funds for:
- student salary (paid at $17.00/hour) while working on research projects
- research expenses (ex. lab supplies, data processing, field work travel expenses, etc.)
- travel to present findings at meetings/conferences
Grant amounts vary based on student proposals. The chart below outlines the maximum award amounts based on class standing. These numbers are only upper limits. Actual award amounts are determined based on student funding proposals. The breakdown between categories is only a recommendation based on average award spending.
| Salary | Expenses | Total | |
|
Freshman |
$1500 | $500 | $2000 |
|
Sophomore |
$4000 | $1500 | $5500 |
| Junior | $6000 | $2000 | $8000 |
| Senior | $7000 | $2000 | $9000 |
Applications Academic Year 2026-2027
The online application includes the following components:
- Applicant demographic questions
- Letter of recommendation from applicant mentor (current WRSP participants) or teacher/professor who can speak to your qualifications for this program (new applicants)
- Abstract and project narrative (300 words or less) with title and explanation of your role in the project
- Project timeline including the anticipated start date, major milestone dates, and anticipated completion date
- Proposed budget breakdown (please contact Tabatha Spencer at tspence5@uwyo.edu with any budget questions)
Mentors must include the following in their letter of recommendation:
- A brief summary of previous experience working with undergraduates
- The expected learning outcomes for the undergraduate student working on this project
- An explanation of any cost-sharing from grants, departmental funds, and other UW programs or an explanation of the need for funding without any cost-sharing
- A 1-3 page NSF-style short biographical sketch
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of requirements are there to stay in the program?
- Maintain a 3.0 grade point average and make consistent progress as a full-time student toward a 4-year degree
- Enroll in a 1-credit seminar class during the fall semester (new students only) to study the scientific process, ethics, public speaking, and writin
- Participate in UW Undergraduate Research Day
- Perform at least 7 hours of science outreach per year (3 hours for freshmen). Outreach can include visiting K-12 schools to talk about your research and life as a college student; helping with science activities for K-12 students at schools or other organizations (Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H, etc.); giving talks about your research to non-scientists; and/or helping with any University sponsored science programs, including Women in Science, Discovery Days, and State Science Fair; etc.
Are these awards renewable?
They are! Current students must fill out an application every spring similar to new applicants. Our intention is for students to continue in the program throughout their undergraduate careers.
Are these awards combinable with funding from other campus research programs (like EPSCOR, McNair, NASA, etc.)?
They are! We do ask that students coordinate with our office and use up funding from other sources before switching to the WRSP funding but, we are always happy to accept students involved in multiple programs.
For questions about the application process or for additional information about applying to the program, please contact Program Director Jamie Crait at craitj@uwyo.edu.
For any technical questions about the application process or the InfoReady system, please contact Tabatha Spencer at tspence5@uwyo.edu
