Freshwater@UW Summer Research Opportunities Program

The Freshwater@UW Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) aims to provide high-impact educational opportunities by facilitating immersive, hands-on mentored research experiences in freshwater science across the 13 member institutions. The program’s central aim is to support the growth of our freshwater research enterprise and freshwater workforce through collaborative, cross-system programming designed to train, recruit, retain and diversify the next generation of freshwater professionals

These are unique opportunities for undergraduates to work closely with water-related faculty mentors and graduate students in their major discipline. Students accepted into the research program are matched with faculty whose expertise and interests match that of the student. Students gain valuable skills for success in graduate studies and careers in their chosen field. During the 10-week summer program, students will be offered opportunities for professional development and cross-campus programming. Upon completing their summer research, scholars present results of their individual projects at and end-of-summer research symposium. To get an idea of the projects available, check out last year’s list: Freshwater@UW Project Descriptions – Summer 2023.

The Freshwater@UW program plans to offer at least 25 funded positions for water research projects throughout the UW System during summer 2023. To increase collaboration within the University of Wisconsin System, student applicants from UW should select projects of interest that are not on their home campus. Students from a university outside of the UW System may select research opportunities on any campus. The Summer Research Opportunities Program aims to build a diverse academic environment by increasing the number of traditionally underrepresented students in Wisconsin graduate programs and ultimately a well-prepared water workforce.

Are you interested in mentoring a student under the Freshwater@UW program? We encourage principle investigators from throughout the UW System to submit a project for a mentee under the 2024 cohort. Expect a project call to be announced in late September, or contact Alison Mikulyuk for more information.

Funding for the Freswater@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.

Links to project descriptions and the application portal will be posted here when they are live.

Thank you for your interest in the program. Please feel free to contact Jim Hurley (jphurley@wisc.edu) or Alison Mikulyuk (alison.mikulyuk@aqua.wisc.edu) with any questions.

Return to UW-Madison SROP Page

* 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.