The Iowa Sciences Academy is looking forward to recruiting new students interested in research and science communication for the 2026 – 2027 academic year. ISA will again be offering paid research internships for sophomores, juniors, and seniors as part of the Science Alliance program.
Additionally, ISA is recruiting students to be Latham Fellows. Latham Fellows take a series of two courses. LATH:3000 is designed to build skills in science communication, and in LATH:3001, students build on these skills to design and implement a science communication outreach project. In addition to the class, Fellows will attend professional development activities sponsored by ISA. Upon completion of the fellowship program requirements, students receive a $1,000 fellowship award.
See below for more information about each program!
The application portal for the 2026-2027 academic year will open on February 16, 2026. Students interested in this program should aspire to graduate school to pursue a research career (PhD or MD/PhD program). Students will take a 1 s.h. skill-building course each semester and commit to presenting their research at least once per year.
Students will choose one of two emphases when they apply. Each year that students are with ISA, they can choose to focus on coursework related to science communication or graduate school preparation. Courses will be chosen in consultation with ISA program staff.
Research Career Preparation Emphasis course choices:
ISA:2040 Professionalism in the Scientific Community (best entry course for sophomores)
ISA:2041 Career Exploration and Specification (best for sophomores)
ISA:3040 Critical Analysis of Primary Literature
ISA:4040 Teaching Your Undergraduate Research
Science Communication Emphasis:
LATH:3000 Science Communication Skill Building
LATH:3001 Science Outreach Project
Qualifications to apply to the Science Alliance Internship Program:
- enrolled in a supported major
- be committed to pursuing a PhD and a career in scientific research
- hold at least a 3.0 GPA
Student Benefits:
- competitive wages ($14 to $15/hour) for hands-on undergraduate research experience (10-12 hours per week during academic year; 20 hours per week in summer)
- coursework in career exploration, professionalism in the scientific community, critical analysis of primary literature, teaching your undergraduate research, and graduate school preparation
- access to career counseling
- opportunity to participate in a peer mentoring program
- opportunity to apply to the ISA Summer Research Program
Latham Science Engagement Initiative (LSEI) Fellowship
The Latham Fellowship is an opportunity for undergraduate student researchers to develop skills in science communication and engagement. Applications are being accepted now with an early notification date of March 16, 2026. Latham Fellows develop real-world project design and implementation skills as they:
- Develop fluency in communicating science to diverse audiences
- Experience interdisciplinary learning by working with students from varied research backgrounds
- Develop skills in multiple modes of communication such as science writing and creating podcasts
- Strengthen future career and/or award applications
- Opportunity to publish in Synthesis: A Digital Journal of Student Science Communication
Students selected for the Latham Fellows program will complete two courses (LATH:3000 in Fall and LATH:3001 in Spring), design and implement individual and group outreach projects, and participate in a year-end event that will highlight their achievements. Upon completion of the fellowship program requirements, Fellows will receive a $1,000 award. Students do not need to be accepted to the Science Alliance program run by ISA to enroll in the Latham courses.
Eligibility requirements:
- Accepting sophomores, juniors or seniors at the time you take the class
- GPA of 3.0
- Interested in the importance of communicating science in the public sphere
Applications are being accepted now for the 2026 -2027 year. The early notification deadline is March 27, 2026.
Check the Latham website to apply.
For more information about these funding opportunities, email ui-isa@uiowa.edu.