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New 2-Year Paid Research Opportunity for First- and Second-Year Students
Build research skills, receive mentorship, and earn up to $8,000 through the University of Washington’s new Undergraduate Research Collective.
Joseph Sampson
June 23, 2025 • 6 minutes
What’s Happening Today!
Welcome to a new & exciting daily post from That Black Chemist!
Today we’re highlighting a powerful opportunity for first- and second-year undergraduates: the Undergraduate Research Collective at the University of Washington. This two-year, paid program supports students with no prior research experience as they dive into real faculty-mentored projects and professional development—complete with an $8,000 scholarship!
Then, we’re heading to the International Space Station, where the Expedition 73 crew continues advancing science in microgravity. From protein research to wearable health monitoring and Earth observation tech, astronauts are pushing the boundaries of human knowledge from orbit.
Upcoming Opportunities
🎓 University of Washington Debuts Paid Undergraduate Research Program
The University of Washington (UW) has launched the Undergraduate Research Collective, a two-year paid research program for early-career undergraduates (including first-year transfer students) with no prior research experience.
The initiative aims to expand access to undergraduate research and is funded by the Mary Gates Endowment and the Ana Mari Cauce Fund.
📅 Program Details
Duration: 2 years
Eligibility: First- and second-year undergrads or first-year transfer students at UW
Funding: $8,000 scholarship over 2 years
Deadline to Apply: July 21, 2025
Apply Online: [Office of Undergraduate Research]
✅ Program Structure
Year 1: Weekly research prep seminar, cohort-building, & faculty mentor onboarding
Year 2: Research project (5-10 hrs/week), development workshops, public presentation at UW’s Undergraduate
⚠️ Bonus Opportunities You Should Know
🧪 NSF REU Summer Research Programs: List of funded undergrad research programs. (Search here)
💰 NASA OSTEM Internships: List of NASA Internships for high school and undergraduate STEM students (More info).
🪖 Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship: $30,000-$46,000 scholarship awarded to top STEM students (Link).
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Scientist’s Scroll
🧪 Space Station Crew Advances Health & Protein Research in Microgravity
While Friday was a lighter day aboard the ISS, Expedition 73 astronauts still contributed to science and safety in orbit.
NASA’s Nichole Ayers maintained a fluid physics experiment using protein samples and surface tension in microgravity with hopes to transform pharmaceutical manufacturing and 3D printing.
Meanwhile, Jonny Kim wore a Bio-Monitor vest and headband for 48 hours, collecting real-time health data to improve astronaut biometric tracking during missions.
The crew also conducted an emergency response drill and checked in with NASA mission leaders, showing how science and safety go hand in hand 250 miles above Earth.
Tip of the Day
📚 Focus on Experience, Not Just a Perfect GPA
While grades matter, they aren’t the full picture. Prioritizing research, internships, and real-world experience alongside strong academics makes you far more competitive than perfect grades alone. Here’s why:
Demonstrate Practical Skills: Employers and grad programs want to see that you can apply what you’ve learned—not just ace exams.
Stand Out with Research: Even one research project shows initiative, critical thinking, and real contributions to your field.
Strengthen Your Resume: A 4.0 with no real-world experience won’t go as far as a 3.6 paired with research, shadowing, or projects.
Build Powerful Connections: Doing real work connects you with mentors, labs, and professional networks that grades alone can’t provide.
Show You’re Ready: Experience signals that you're prepared for the challenges of real-world science, industry, or graduate-level work.
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Today’s Theme: Meme Monday
Because Mondays suck, here are three science memes to make you laugh!
👇🏾 Vote for your favorite in the comments or share with a lab mate!
🧪 Meme #1
🔬 Meme #2
🥼 Meme #3
Which meme is your favorite? Results revealed next Monday! |
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