University of Iowa Opportunities | |||
Program | Description | Due Date | |
| Clifford W. Hesseltine Award for Academic Excellence | Recognizes a Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or Neuroscience student who excels both in their academic record and beyond the classroom. Evidence of excellence outside of the classroom might include: undergraduate research, service, outreach/engagement. The applicant must be a Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or Neuroscience student of junior or senior standing and have a strong academic record (GPA of at least 3.5). Students may self-nominate and to do so must submit: 1) a brief paragraph indicating their academic interests and future plans, and 2) a brief description (maximum of two single-spaced pages) of the student's evidence of excellence outside the classroom (ex: undergraduate research, service, outreach and engagement, volunteer work), and 3) a letter of recommendation emailed to biology@uiowa.edu. Awardee will receive a $1,000 prize and a certificate. | April 1st | |
| Department of Biology Undergraduate Research Travel Award | This award is presented to an undergraduate student who is performing research within the Department of Biology at the University of Iowa. The award (up to $1,000) will provide funds for an undergraduate to attend a regional or national conference in the next year. Requirements: Minimum 3.0 GPA and a minimum of 1 semester of research in a research lab in Biology. Students may self-nominate. | April 1st | |
| Hawkeye Experience Grant | The Hawkeye Experience Grant provides variable amounts from $1,000 - $4,000 for undergraduate students doing internships, research, community engagement, or even field experience courses. A recorded information session is on the Hawkeye Experience Grant page, and walk-in application help sessions will take place from March 24th-27th. | April 3rd | |
| Iowa Institute of Human Genetics (IIHG) Summer Internship in Bioinformatics | The IIGH is offering a Summer Internship in Bioinformatics for undergraduate students interested in a career in bioinformatics and personalized genomic medicine. The 8-week internship, intended for undergraduate students and recent college graduates, is an excellent opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in informatics. Interns will work under the direction of a faculty member at the University of Iowa. | Applications to open in February. | |
| Iowa Institute of Human Genetics (IIHG) Summer Internship in Genetic Counseling | The IIHG Summer Internship Program, intended for undergraduate students and recent college graduates, is an excellent opportunity for individuals to gain hands-on experience working under the direction of genetic counselors at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The purpose of the internship program is to help individuals gain real world experience to assist in their preparation to become a genetic counselor. The IIHG Summer Internship is open to anyone interested in genetic counseling and is especially beneficial for students with limited access to human genetics opportunities at their home institution. | TBD | |
| Iowa Neuroscience Institute (INI) Summer Scholars Program | The INI Summer Scholars Program supports three Iowa undergraduates planning to pursue research during the summer with any INI faculty member, or any UI faculty member who would like to join the INI. Each INI faculty member may sponsor no more than one applicant. Applicants must have completed at least three semesters at UI to be eligible. This award is highly competitive. | Applications to open soon. | |
| ISA Summer Program | Available only to current ISA students. Over the 8-week program, students attend weekly seminars, do intensive research in a lab, and present a poster on their summer research at the Summer Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC). | Applications to open soon. | |
| Post Baccalaureate Programs at the University of Iowa | Post-baccalaureate (post-bac.) programs are designed for students wishing to enroll in medical or dental school. Two general types of programs exist: those for students who are changing careers and need preparatory science classes, and those for students who need to enhance their GPA and gain extra science expertise. Some students may choose to not apply to a specific post-baccalaureate program, but instead continue to take science coursework as a non-degree seeking student after their degree, for the same purposes as a post-bac. program. | Varied | |
Regional/National Opportunities | |||
| Argonne National Laboratory 2026 Summer Programs | Argonne offers hands-on opportunities to work alongside world-class scientists, engineers, and professionals across a range of disciplines. The following programs are now accepting applications:
Argonne Seasonal Internship Program (SIP) Join a team that’s pushing the boundaries of science and technology. The Argonne Seasonal Internship Program offers students the chance to contribute to cutting-edge research projects while working side by side with some of the brightest minds in their fields. Application Deadline: February 6th
Givens and W.J. Cody Associates These fellowships provide students currently enrolled in applicable PhD programs with the chance to tackle mathematical and computational challenges that drive Argonne’s research forward. Participants develop their skills while contributing to projects that bridge theory and application. Application deadline: January 15th | Varied | |
| Flathead Lake Biological Station Summer Session 2026 | Join the Bio Station summer courses to deepen your understanding of ecosystems, boost critical thinking and research skills, and gain valuable hands-on research experience. The Bio Station is located in Northwest Montana and classes take trips around the area, including many into Glacier National Park. FLBS courses are open to students from any university and can be taken for undergraduate or graduate level credit. | Apply by February 1st for a discount | |
| U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Scholars Program | Multiple opportunities in fields such as:
The DOE Scholars Program offers multiple opportunities throughout the year to align with the needs and schedules of individual sponsoring offices. Each opportunity will include specific details regarding eligibility requirements, deadlines, and participating offices. Participant support:
| Varied | |
| Yale Program to Advance Training in Health and Science (PATHS) | PATHS scholars will be divided into one of three tracks according to the advanced degree that they are committed to pursuing. As a student in a designated track, scholars will have the following benefits and expectations:
| March 31st | |
Consolidated Program Opportunities: Websites | |||
| NSF ETAP (Education & Training Application) Portal | ETAP helps people find and apply to Education and Training Opportunities funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Principal Investigators of NSF Awards can customize NSF’s ETAP application to provide Opportunities for applicants to participate in. | ||
| NIH Summer Internship Program | An opportunity for students in college, graduate, and professional school to perform a summer research internship in the Intramural Research Program at the NIH. Applications are due February 18th. | ||
| NSF Summer REU Opportunities | The U.S. National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU) program supports intensive research by undergraduate students in any area of research funded by NSF. | ||
| Pathways to Science | Research experiences for undergraduates (REU), scholarships, and travel and research opportunities. | ||
| University of Iowa Office of Undergraduate Research | Current summer opportunities include Edge of Space Academy, Kani Dare Summer Camp, SPUR at the University of Utah, and more. | ||
| University of Iowa Pomerantz Career Center | The Pomerantz Career Center at the University of Iowa is a resource for students looking for summer opportunities to get tips on applying. This page helps undergraduates with finding, registering, and succeeding at their internships. | ||