College of Natural Sciences Fellowships
CNS Summer Experiential Learning Fellowship (SELF)
CNS Summer Experiential Learning Fellowships (SELF) support undergraduate students in the College of Natural Sciences as they pursue domestic or international experiential learning opportunities—such as research or internships—during the summer. Both UT-affiliated programs and self-sourced experiences are eligible. Preference will be given to unpaid and underpaid opportunities.
Fellowship applications will be reviewed twice during the spring semester:
- Early review for non-UT experiences: Submit by March 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM
- Final deadline for all experiences: Submit by April 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM
- Decisions for UT-affiliated experiences will be made after the April 15 deadline
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a full-time, degree-seeking CNS undergraduate student
- Must graduate in Summer 2026 or later
- Home institution must be UT Austin
- Must secure confirmation of the experience before applying
- Domestic experiences must total at least 160 hours; international experiences must total at least 120 hour (No more than 40 hours per week)
- Fellowships cannot be awarded for FRI-related experiences
- Students may apply for funding for only one experience
The CNS SELF Fellowship Application for Summer 2026 will open in LASSO in November 2025.
CNS Advanced Summer Research Fellowships
The CNS Advanced Summer Research Fellowship provides financial support to undergraduate students in the College of Natural Sciences who are conducting an advanced summer research project under the supervision of a UT faculty member.
Applicants must have completed at least one prior undergraduate research experience before Summer 2025. This could include:
- A full-time summer research experience
- A part-time, two-semester academic year research experience
- Or an equivalent experience
The summer research placement and supervisor must be confirmed at the time of application. Fellowship recipients will receive $4,000 for a full-time research commitment of 35–40 hours per week for at least 8 weeks.
The competitive applications typically include:
- A recommendation letter from the student's summer UT faculty supervisor
- A clear and well-developed project description that includes sufficient background information, an explanation of proposed methods, and defined project objectives
- A thoughtful explanation of how the research experience connects to the applicant’s academic and career goals
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a full-time, degree-seeking CNS undergraduate student
- Must graduate in August 2026 or later
- Home institution must be UT Austin
- Must have completed a qualifying prior research experience
- Must have a confirmed summer research project and UT Faculty research supervisor
Application Deadlines:
Fellowship application deadline: Friday, February 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Letter of recommendation deadline: Friday, February 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM
The CNS Advanced Summer Research Fellowship for Summer 2026 will open in LASSO in November 2025.
First-Year FRI Summer Research Funding
The FRI Summer Fellowship application is now closed.
Many students can work with their research streams over the summer on fellowships or as a volunteer researcher. During this time, students expand their projects and are granted a higher degree of independence and responsibility, often working in lab without supervision. By working 20 or 40 hours a week it is possible for FRI students to get a head start on their projects and experience the life of a research scientist.
FRI Fellowship Information
- Stipend. Support can be for full or part time research placements, determined by the availability of each type of position in your stream.
- Full-time fellowships | $3000 + $1000 Housing Supplement.
- Half-time fellowships | $1500 + $500 Housing Supplement.
- Dates. The exact dates and hours committed to research each week will be arranged with your Research Educator.
- Housing. A limited number of awards to assist with summer housing for students with need are available.
- Application. The FRI Summer Fellowship Application for 2026 will open later in the academic year.
Eligibility
- FRI students and Accelerated Research Initiative (ARI) students (including international students) participating in their first summer research experience (following their spring semester with the program) are eligible to apply.
- FRI alumni conducting more advanced summer projects in or outside of stream labs should apply for an Advanced Summer Research Fellowship.
Questions? Contact Dr. Tony Gonzalez.
University Fellowships & Support
Undergraduate Research Fellowships
Support for specific scholarly research projects conducted by full-time UT undergraduate students enrolled in any department
Covers costs associated with academic research projects proposed and written by student applicants and undertaken with the supervision of a university tenured or tenure-track faculty member, lecturer, senior lecturer or full-time research scientist/engineer.
Up to a $1,000 award.
Mitchell Award/University Co-Op Award
Faculty members nominate students who have demonstrated superior scholarly or creative achievement through a notable paper or thesis, research project, creative or artistic endeavor, or other product of the student’s academic work. Nominees must be either a junior or senior currently enrolled at UT Austin or have received their undergraduate degree in December of the academic year in which the award is being given. Three students will receive awards of $2,000 each, three students will receive awards of $3,000 each, and one student will be awarded the grand prize of $10,000.
Explore more research support options through the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Travel Support
Attending national and international conferences is an important activity for undergraduate researchers. At conferences, you are able to meet scientists in your field, hear about new research and present your own work. Sometimes you can find partial funding to support your travel to present at a conference. Below are tips and campus resources for securing funding.
Check to see if the conference you are attending offers travel grants for student presenters. Often the organization hosting the event has funds for this purpose, but it is very important to apply early!
Check out campus resources for research travel, including the Scholarship for Research or Conference Travel through the Office of Undergraduate Research.
FRI Students: Ask your research supervisor if they have funds or know of funds that are available to support student travel to conferences.
Want more guidance? CNS Undergraduates can make a “Research Opportunities Advising" Appointment with our team in 12twenty@Texas.