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There are many great ways to get involved in research as an undergraduate in biomedicalÌýengineering. Check out the opportunities below and remember thatÌýone of the best ways to be proactive in this area is to reach out directly to faculty. Students can work as a researcher in an hourly position, through an independent study or as a volunteer.Ìý

There are also opportunities to conduct research as an undergraduate beyond CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ such as .ÌýPathwaysToScience.orgÌýhas aÌýÌýof 600+ summer research programs for undergraduates in all STEM disciplines. These are all fully fundedÌýopportunities including programs sponsored by NSF, NASA, NIH, etc.Ìý TheyÌýalso have a selection of resources to help you strengthen your applications.

TheÌýDiscovery Learning Apprenticeship (DLA) ProgramÌýrecruits students to serve as undergraduate researchers for a full academic year, including both the fall and spring semester. Faculty submit proposals for research projects by March of each year, with student applications due in April. DLA positions are paid roles with students expected to work approximately 10 hours per week. To be eligible, a student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must not have prior SPUR or DLA experience.Ìý ÌýAY applications open April 10th and are due May 15th.

TheÌýCU Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (CU SPUR)Ìýis the summer version of DLA.ÌýIt is a 10-week program with student participants expected to work approximately 30 hours per week up to a total of 300 hours. Students apply in February, are notified of their acceptance in April and participate in the program from June to August. A student who would like to participate must be available the entire 10 weeks, have a minimum GPA of 2.7 and must not have prior SPUR or DLA experience.Ìý ÌýÌýSummer application will open mid-Feb and close mid-Mar.

TheÌýFundamentals of Undergraduate Research Program (FUTURE)Ìýis an opportunity for first- and second-year BOLD scholars, BOLD society members, and Lattice scholars to gain practical research experience in engineering by linking undergraduate students with a graduate student mentor. Get hands-on experience as an undergrad working in a research lab alongside your mentor. You'll work on a research project 3–5 hours per week and participate in a 15-week seminar course on research practices. You'll also develop your own research hypothesis and work through the research process, culminating with a poster presentation at the end of the semester. To be eligible, students must be engineering majors in good academic standing.Ìý ÌýEligible students are emailed directly each fall - applications due in December.

TheÌýÌýis and 11-week summer internship program for undergraduate students, see specifications below, designed to inspire undergraduate students to pursue careers in STEM through research experience in addition to mentorship from a NIST scientist or engineer. Stipends are typically $6600 for an 11-week appointment, 40 hours a week. Limited financial assistance for housing is available. Open to full-time undergraduate students, at any accredited university in the U.S. or territories. College Transcript necessary and at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, preferred STEM disciplines. Must be a U.S. citizen and permanent resident, at least 16 years of age and able to pass a background check.Ìý Summer 2025 application cycle open and applications due Jan. 31.

The Uplift Research Program -ÌýUplift makes you a competitive applicant for existing research opportunities. No prerequisites, no rec letters, no GPA requirement, no prior research experience.STEM based professional development and research program, cohort based. This program teaches hands-on research for developing your own project, connects students to CU labs including a mentor, funds research training ($3000 over 24 weeks), and provides guidance for every stage of your developing STEM path.Ìý ÌýAY applications are usually due in late September.

The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement ProgramÌýis a federal TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education, prepares students typically underrepresented in grad school including first-generation college students with financial need. The program goal is to increase graduate degrees awards for students in underrepresented groups. Students are supported with a Research Internship Stipend, paid travel to research conferences and graduate schools, research mentorship, GRE preparation, in addition to application seminars.Ìý AY 2025-26 applications due January.

Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training (SMART)Ìýprovides 10-week summer research internships for rising juniors and seniors. The program aims to improve access to research for underrepresented groups and for first-generation students who are economically disadvantaged. Students apply in February for the following summer. Priority is given to applicants accepted by theÌý. ParticipantsÌýmust beÌýU.S. citizens or permanent residents.Ìý Ìý Summer applications are usually due Feb. 1.

TheÌýUndergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)Ìýprovides funding for undergraduate participation in faculty-mentored research projects. Student proposals are due in mid-February of each year for the following summer and academic year. Participants are responsible for identifying a faculty-mentor and working with them to develop a proposal detailing their planned research.ÌýTo be eligible, students must be full-time with no limit on the total number of grants received but only one grant per term.Ìý ÌýSummer and AY Applications open in January and are due mid-February.

TheÌýÌýis an interdisciplinary program funded by NASAÌýwith opportunities for first-year through graduate students. All projects are student-managed, constructed, testedÌýand flown. Positions are advertised prior to the beginning of each semester with summer positions advertised in April. Students may participate on a volunteer basis, through a paid position, or for academic credit.Ìý ÌýAY positions posted 2 weeks before the fall semester.

There are also opportunities for students to work in research labs onÌýcampus in hourly roles paid through the faculty member's grant funding, which may be supplemented by the university'sÌýWork-StudyÌýprogram for students with demonstrated financial need.Ìý

Students interested in earning academic credit for their research in place of financial support can submit a proposal for anÌýIndependent Study.Ìý