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 Iowa Illinois Nebraska STEM Partnership for Innovation in Research and Education (IINSPIRE) is a paid internship opportunity for undergraduate STEM students. Students will be paid a lump-sum stipend of $1,500 per semester for 5-7 hours of work per week, or $3,000 for the summer for a minimum of 20 hours per week.
In addition to carrying out paid undergraduate research, UI-IINSPIRE Interns are invited to enroll in an ISA – Student Development Seminars (1 s.h.) depending on the student’s point of entry into the program. Course should be determined with assistance from program staff.
UI-IINSPIRE 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.
Applications from students who transfer from IINSPIRE Alliance two-year and four-year colleges and universities will be prioritized for acceptance into the UI-IINSPIRE program.
II-IINSPIRE is an alliance among 16 two-year and four-year colleges and universities in the Midwest. Institutions in the alliance are working together to support undergraduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and develop a robust STEM workforce serving the region and nation. The alliance uses high-impact, evidence-based practices to increase STEM student success through research experiences, training, mentoring, professional development, and academic support.
The IINSPIRE Alliance consists of the colleges and universities listed below.
Public state universities (red dots): Iowa State University (ISU) (lead institution), University of Iowa (UI),and University of Northern Iowa (UNI)
- Iowa community colleges (purple dots): Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICCD), Hawkeye Community College (HCC), Iowa Valley Community College District (IVCCD), and Kirkwood Community College (KCC)
- Private colleges/universities (green dots): Augustana College (IL), Doane University (NE), Grinnell College (IA), Luther College (IA), Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU), and Wartburg College (IA)
- Nebraska tribal college (purple dot J): Little Priest Tribal College (LPTC)
The alliance consists of six two-year colleges, seven private bachelor’s degree-granting institutions, and three public state universities. These institutions have unique roles in the region in developing a robust STEM workforce. The alliance supports research and professional development experiences for STEM undergraduate students at alliance institutions. The alliance provides training and resources for mentors who supervise undergraduate research projects. In addition, faculty members across the alliance have access to workshops and resources about student-centered teaching and mentoring practices that lead to greater student success.
UI-IINSPIRE is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).