OUR Fall in Love with Research February Newsletter

February means fun in OUR! 

It's the final push for summer ICRU applications! If you are interested in a $3000 summer fellowship for undergraduates engaged research during the summer, click below to sign up now. We know it's a busy time across campus, and OUR is no different. We are excited for Fall in Love with Research this Friday (2/13), Research in the Capitol on March 9th, and SURF on April 22nd. Fall in Love with Research will be outside of Gilmore Hall, we will be handing out hot cocoa and candy, come say hi! 

We can't wait to see what amazing projects Iowa students are working on. 

Best,
Tawny Tibbits
Director, Office of Undergraduate Research

 

ICRU Summer Fellowship applications are due February 13th!

Funding Opportunities

Monica teaching undergrad to weave

Apply for the ICRU Fellowship

The deadline to apply for a summer Independent Creative Research by Undergraduates (ICRU) Fellowship is coming up! The summer ICRU Fellowships fund the research and creative projects of undergraduates during the summer with $3,000 for around 15-20 hours/week for 10 weeks. Please also note the deadline for the academic year ICRU Fellowship, which funds $2,500 for 8-10 hours/week during the academic year. 

Application Deadlines:
ICRU Fellowship Summer -   Feb 13th
ICRU Fellowship Academic Year - March 27th

Geological Survey

Open Research Positions

Research labs are looking for undergraduates like you! Check out our Open Research Positions page. There is a wide variety of departments and fields to choose from, and it is updated any time a new research position opens up! Choose from labs that offer compensation, credit hours, or volunteer hours.

Can't find a lab on the website? No worries, visit the How to Start page on the OUR website, or come visit us in Gilmore Hall. We can help you find opportunities, send out emails, and prepare for interviews.

Presentation Opportunities

Klaertje winner of QPC

Quick Pitch Challenge

Do you want to win a trophy? Want to talk about your research or creative work to a general audience? Register for the Quick Pitch Challenge by February 27th! QPC will be held on April 2nd, and is a communication competition that challenges undergraduate students to present their research or creative work to a general audience in 3 minutes. More information about seminars and practice sessions will come soon. All majors and areas of study are invited to showcase their work on campus.

FURF

Spring Undergraduate Research Festival

We invite you to participate in the Spring Undergraduate Research Festival, a campus-wide event that celebrates your research and creative work. This is an opportunity to showcase your work in a supportive and low-stress environment where you can engage in conversations with faculty, peers, and community members. 

Registration for SURF: March 3rd- April 3rd

SURF Date: April 2nd, 2026 from 3:30- 6:00 p.m. in the IMU Main Ballroom

Upcoming Events

Fall in Love with Research

Fall in Love with Research

It's February, and our valentine is research! That is why during Valentine's Day week, we will be hosting a sweet event to show you why we love research. On February 13th from 11:30- 12:30, join the OUR Ambassadors and staff on the T. Anne Cleary walkway for hot chocolate, pins, and conversations! 

For updates on Fall in Love with Research and to see how you can get involved, check out the OUR social media pages on Instagram and LinkedIn

Research in the Captial Rotunda

Research in the Capital

The OUR has selected over 20 undergraduate researchers to present to Iowa's legislators on March 9th for Research in the Capitol (RIC). Research in the Capitol allows students to connect their research and creative endeavors in the Iowa Statehouse Rotunda. We are very excited to see their presentations on the 9th, and congratulations to those students who were chosen!

For updates on Research in the Capitol and to see how you can get involved, check out the OUR social media pages on Instagram and LinkedIn

Other News and Information

One Health Approach to Evaluate Infectious Diseases

The Dalton lab is seeking highly motivated students interested in understanding the interactions between different environmental factors and microbes using a One Health framework, or the shared health of humans, animals, and the environment. Visit the Open Research Position page for One Health Approach to Evaluate Infectious Diseases to apply!

Computing for Health and Well-Being Summer Program

The Computer Science Department at the University of Iowa is now accepting applications for NSF-funded REU. This is a  ten-week program will run from May 25 to July 31, 2026, in-person. To see the type of research project work undergrads participate in during a summer REU program, see “debriefs” of our 2025 program. Apply by  March 15, 2026. Visit the Computing for Health and Well-Being website to apply/learn more about program details and requirements.

Certficate in Clinical and Translational Science

Are you interested in treating patients, conducting medical research, or creating new healthcare policies? The Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science introduces a broad range of skills and experiences and add unique depth to your research portfolio, including clinical shadowing. The ideal student is interested in how research gets applied to patients and the community and is engaged in mentored research. Students must have completed 45sh by the fall semester in which they start the program. If you are interested, please reach out to Jamie-thrams@uiowa.edu.

Iowa Sciences Academy (ISA)

The Iowa Sciences Academy (ISA) is now accepting applications for programs designed for students interested in science communication and preparation for graduate study and research careers. ISA offers three programs: Science Alliance, UI-IINSPIRE, and the Latham Science Engagement Fellowship. All participants gain access to career counseling, peer mentoring, professional development, paid research opportunities, and potential travel funding. Visit the ISA website to learn more.

Hawk Job Shadows

HawkShadow is a structured job shadow program that was initially piloted with First Gen Hawks last spring and is now a fully launched program for all undergraduate students. All ten of our career communities are represented from teaching in an elementary school to a UIHC rotational shadow day. If you know of any students that would benefit from a job shadow, please have them fill out this interest form as soon as possible.

Global Health Case Competition Applications are Open!

Sponsored by the Institute for Public Health Practice, Research, and Policy, the Global Health Case Competition trains future leaders through a real-world challenge. Interdisciplinary student teams creatively address health issues. All enrolled students are eligible, and the winning team receives up to $500 per person! Applications are now open until February 13th! Click here to learn more about the competition.

Looking for Open Research Positions?

Visit the OUR Open Research Positions page. These listings are provided by faculty members or departments that are looking for undergraduates to join their projects. If you do not see anything that fits your goals, contact us at undergraduate-research@uiowa.edu.

Summer Research Opportunities

Summer undergraduate research opportunities are a great way to expand your research skills and gain new experiences in a wide range of disciplines throughout the nation--and in some cases--the world. 

Cancer Research Opportunities at Iowa

The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center invites applications from interested graduates. Applications are open NOW (closing February 1, 2025).

Molecular Regulation of Vascular Function
The Kumar Lab is searching for undergraduates for their lab who have an interest in cell biology or animal studies. Their studies are looking into the cellular signaling pathways involved in vascular disease. Applications are ongoing.

Radiation Biology and Physics Undergraduate Research Summer Program

Join the Radiation Biology and Physics Undergraduate Research Summer Program and participate in a 10-week research experience under the mentorship of a faculty member. Research opportunities are available in radiation therapy, redox biology, traditional and medical physics, engineering, medical imaging, immunology, and more. 

Looking for a Unique Educational Experience as you Prepare for Professional or Graduate School?

If you are participating in research, you may be an excellent candidate for the Undergraduate Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS). Participating in this program is especially beneficial for students who are considering attending a health professions school or graduate school. Click here to learn more.

Follow OUR on Social Media
Want to see what we are up to? Follow us on social media to stay updated with all things research. We answer questions, send updates on what's happening, post about events, and talk about future opportunities. Check us out at: Instagram  LinkedIn 

Contact us:

Tawny Tibbits, OUR Director, tawny-tibbits@uiowa.edu
Liz Saathoff, OUR Associate Director, elizabeth-saathoff@uiowa.edu

Office of Undergraduate Research
undergraduate-research@uiowa.edu
https://our.research.uiowa.edu
6 Gilmore Hall
319-335-8336

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