Applications for the 2026 Freshwater@UW cohort are open!
Here are the projects for Summer 2026. The Table of Contents lists each project by Title, and they are in order of Institution. Keep reading below for more program information and how to apply.
2026 Freshwater Project Catalog
*Updated on 11/06/2025 to add projects MSN22 and MSN23
Freshwater@UW is a mentored summer research program offering a range of research opportunities. Students will review, then select their top five projects during application. This year, we will offer at least 20 funded positions. Students attending school within the UW System should list at least one option not on their home campus. Students from a university outside of the UW System may select research opportunities on any campus. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. See below for more information.
The 2026 Research Project Catalog is now live!
Freshwater@UW 2026 Project Catalog
Read below (the accordion stack) for more information on eligibility, applying, program dates and more. Then, you can start an application using the link below:
Return to UW-Madison SROP Page
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Program details
2026 Program Information
Dates: May 26 – Aug. 1
Location: Varies by project, sites include UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-La Crosse, UW-Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point and Manitowoc, WI.
Applications open: Nov. 1, 2025
Applications close: Feb 15, 2026
Stipend: $6,600
Housing is provided, options vary by site but are usually dorm style.
Travel to and from Madison will be paid by the program, travel by car is reimbursable.
Orientation will take place from May 27-29 in Madison, the program will then aid with transportation off site for those working on other campuses.
Students will present a Capstone flash talk and poster at the end of summer. Check out the image of last year’s event to the right!
Eligibility
If you are interested in water research, we’re here to provide an experience you’ll need to chart your career path. As a candidate you should:
- Have a strong interest in water research. Graduate school hopefuls as well as those seeking employment in industry or government will benefit from this program.
- Be an undergraduate student through at least the fall 2026 semester.
- Maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale. Compelling applications from those with a lower GPA may be accepted when submitted with an exceptionally strong letter of recommendation.
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Commit full-time to the research program, appx 40 hours per week. In addition, students may not be employees of the Universities of Wisconsin during the program.
- Students should travel to campus by May 26. Limited exceptions may be granted for a later start, up to June 1, 2026.
Mentored projects
Our program is diverse, with projects that range widely: from microbes to maritime history, from hydrogeology to wetland ecology. Wisconsin has over 15,000 lakes and over 13,500 stream and river miles. The Great Lakes contain about 20 percent of all the liquid fresh water on Earth.
Wisconsin is a great place to come and study water!
How to Apply
The application requires the following:
- Name and Contact Information
- Demographic information
- Current school & major
- Top 5 project choices, ranked
- Essays
- Background & experiences
- Connection to your future goals
- Area of research interest
- Prior experience OR transferrable skills OR desired skills & experiences
- At least 1 (preferably 2) letters of recommendation
- Transcript (unofficial is fine)
Accepted Students
The match process starts shortly after the Feb. 15, 2026 application deadline. We expect to notify all successful candidates by mid March.
- May 26 – arrive on UW-Madison campus
- May 27-28 – Orientation programming
- May 29 – Travel to final research site
- Wednesdays – TBD Professional Development Seminar
- July 29 – Travel back to Madison for Capstone
- July 30 – Freshwater@UW Summer Research Symposium, UW-Madison Campus
- Aug 1 – Travel home
Program Contact:
Dr. Alison Mikulyuk
alison.mikulyuk@aqua.wisc.edu
UW-Madison
1975 Willow Drive
Madison, WI 53706-1103
Funding for the Freshwater@UW Summer Research Opportunities Program is provided by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin*, Wisconsin Sea Grant, the UW Water Resources Institute and Water@UW-Madison. The program runs from late May 31 through early, August, 2024. We expect that student summer stipends will be similar to 2023, which were $6000 plus a $600 meal allowance. Housing and travel costs are provided by the Freshwater@UW program. Applications will open on November 1.
* The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin is a partnership of Wisconsin’s 13 public universities, connecting with industry partners, local communities, policymakers and advocacy groups. Its mission is to establish Wisconsin as a world leader in freshwater science, technology, entrepreneurship and economic growth. The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin is training the next generation of scientists to solve global water resource problems through academic programs, collaborative research and career development across the UW System. Learn more at freshwater.wisconsin.edu.