Apply here for science alliance

Apply now for the 2026 - 2027 year! The application deadline is February 23, 2026.

Please provide thoughtful answers to essay questions as this will be very important for program acceptance decisions and read the program description carefully.

Two virtual information sessions are scheduled if you would like more information:

Wednesday, February 11
3:30 – 4:30 pm
Zoom Link

Friday, February 13
2:00 -3:00 pm
Zoom Link

The Science Alliance is a UI-sponsored collaborative program, connecting faculty, staff, graduate students and post-docs interested in cultivating future generations of scientists with UI students currently exploring research opportunities.

The Science Alliance Internship Program supports undergraduate students interested in exploring research on campus. The program aims to enrich the undergraduate experience through coursework, mentor matching, career guidance, and creating a cohort of students with similar interests in PhD-related research careers in science. Competitive wages to carryout research in laboratories and access to a summer program for Science Alliance Interns will be provided. Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are invited to participate.

The Science Alliance strives to create pathways to access higher education and career goals for students who may have faced unique challenges, such as students who are first generation, rural, receive Pell grants, or have a disability, although the opportunity is open to all students. Students should be eager to contribute to a supportive community of peers.

Students interested in this program should aspire to graduate school to pursue a research career (PhD or MD/PhD program).  Students should work in a research lab for an average in 10 hours per week. Students will also 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:3041 Pathways to Post-Undergraduate Education
ISA:4040 Teaching Your Undergraduate Research

Science Communication Emphasis:  

LATH:3000  Science Communication Skill Building
LATH:3001  Science Outreach Project
Note: Science Alliance students do not need to apply separately to the Latham Program if this track is chosen, and also will continue to do the paid research internship work.