Greetings from SDUR!

With the chill of winter in the air, we’re keeping the energy bright at Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research!

Thank you for signing up to receive SDUR’s monthly newsletter. As a reminder, this newsletter goes out on the first Monday of each month and features updates on all things SDUR - nationally competitive scholarships, undergraduate research information and McNair Scholars Program initiatives. In addition, we have a “Beyond SDUR” section which features updates from partners who wish to advertise opportunities.

If you wish to be more connected, please explore our webpage and follow us on Instagram, @kstatesdur.

Warm Regards,
The SDUR Team

 

Undergraduate Research

 

Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol

Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol is an annual event where undergraduate students from the state’s public universities present their research to legislators and state officials through a poster session. Showcasing projects from a wide range of disciplines, the event highlights the valuable role of undergraduate research in addressing issues important to Kansas and demonstrates how higher education contributes to the state’s civic, economic, and community development. Each university may select up to five outstanding projects to represent their institution.

The 2026 Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol will be February 26, 2026 from 2-4pm in the 2nd Floor Rotunda. Applications are now open at this link!

The deadline for applying is January 26, 2026 at midnight. Learn more here.

 

Finding Paid Summer Research Opportunities

Students, are you interested in paid summer research opportunities? Many summer research programs (REUs, SIPs, and many more) are advertising now with application deadlines in December and January. We have created a ​resource list at this link​ to help you find paid summer research programs close to home or across the country.

 

Applications open for University Distinguished Faculty Award for Mentoring of Undergraduate Students in Research

The University Distinguished Faculty Award for Mentoring of Undergraduate Students in Research has been established to recognize outstanding individual contributions to the development of undergraduates in research projects at Kansas State University. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 University Distinguished Faculty Award for Mentoring of Undergraduate Students in Research.

The University Distinguished Faculty Award for Mentoring of Undergraduate Students in Research recipient will be awarded a plaque and prize of $4,000.00. This award will be presented at the Spring Campus-Wide Undergraduate Research Symposium, held on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Faculty who are eligible for this award may be nominated by K-State faculty, students, staff or administrators. Any questions can be directed to the Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research team at SDUR@k-state.edu.

More details about the awards and the nomination form are available at this link. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 15, 2026.

 

Applications open for the University Awards for Distinguished Student in Undergraduate Research

The University Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Student in Research has been established to recognize outstanding individual contributions in research for the purpose of the discovery and creation of new knowledge at K-State. The award is for an undergraduate student who has demonstrated excellence in research in any field of study.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Distinguished Undergraduate Student in Research Award.

The Distinguished Undergraduate Student in Research Award recipient will receive an engraved plaque and prize of $1,000.00. This award will be presented at the Spring Campus-Wide Undergraduate Research Symposium, held on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Students who are eligible for this award may be nominated by KSU faculty, students, staff, or administrators. Any questions can be directed to the Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research team at SDUR@k-state.edu.

More information and the link to nominate can be found at this link. Finalists for this award will be invited for an interview. The deadline for nominations is February 15, 2026.

 

Save the Date--Campus-Wide Undergraduate Research Symposium

Registration for the Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium is now open! The Symposium offers undergraduate students a valuable opportunity to showcase their research and to practice communicating their findings to a broad audience. This year the symposium will be part of One K-State Research Week (April 17-24).

This year’s Symposium will be held on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026 with registration open from now until March 27, 2026.

 

Advertising Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Do you know of a lab that has openings for undergraduate researchers? SDUR can help advertise research opportunities. Lab leaders with open spots can fill out this Qualtrics form and the opportunity will be shared on our resource list.

 

TRIO McNair Scholars Program

The KSU McNair Scholars Program is currently accepting applications for our 2025-2026 cohort.

The McNair Scholars Program is a comprehensive two-year program structured to prepare undergraduates for successful careers as graduate students, professors, and professional researchers. Eligibility criteria are available here, and the application link is available here.

Although the December 1 application deadline for the McNair Scholars Program has passed, applications will be considered until the 2025-2026 cohort is filled. Students interested in joining the program should reach out to mcnair@ksu.edu to speak with program staff to determine eligibility status and to discuss potential next steps for applying.

 

Nationally Competitive Scholarships

 

Upcoming Scholarship Information Sessions

British Scholarships Information Session: February 5, 4-5 p.m., Hale 334

British Scholarships Information Session: February 11, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Zoom Registration

Scholarships for International Students: February 17, 12-1p.m., Zoom link

Truman Scholarship for Public Service Information Session: March 5, 3:30-4:30p.m., Hale 334

Truman Scholarship for Public Service Information Session: March 11, 4-5 p.m., Zoom Registration

Fulbright U.S. Student Award Information Session: April 9, TBD, Hale

Adventures after graduation: Post-graduate scholarships for juniors and seniors: April 14, -4-5 p.m., Hale 307

Fulbright U.S. Student English Teaching Assistantship Information Session: April 20, 4-5 p.m., Zoom registration

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Information Session: April 28, 4-5 p.m., Zoom registration

Questions regarding information sessions may be directed to sdur@ksu.edu
Additional sessions will be added on this website throughout the semester.

Featured opportunities

Chapman Scholarship

https://artsci.k-state.edu/student-success/scholarships-awards/chapman/ The Mark Chapman Scholars Program helps promising Arts and Sciences students fund meaningful summer projects or activities early in their undergraduate careers. Mark Chapman created this program in 2008 when he recognized that, although students can often identify exciting possibilities for personal and professional growth, finding the funding for these opportunities is often a challenge, particularly early in college. The Chapman Scholars program remedies this by providing five awards of $5,000 each year: $3,000 to fund a proposed summer activity and $1,000 per semester in the following academic year. It also requires a reflective writing component in order to help students better understand and articulate the value of their experiences.

Deadline: March 3rd

Scholarship and Funding Opportunities

Udall Scholarship

https://www.udall.gov/ourprograms/scholarship/scholarship.aspx The Scholarship Program identifies future leaders in environmental, Tribal public policy, and health care fields. It is highly competitive, with students participating in their schools’ internal competitions before receiving consideration from the Udall Foundation. As a condition of their award, Scholars attend a multiday Scholar Orientation experience. In 2025, the Udall Foundation anticipates awarding 55 scholarships of $7,000 each. Interested candidates should contact bethpowers@ksu.edu for access to the application.

K-State deadline: January 15th

Boren Scholarship & Boren Fellowship

Application Link For students dreaming of improving their foreign language skills in languages like Chinese, Japanese, or Vietnamese; or eastern European languages such as Czech or Polish; or African languages; or advancing their Spanish skills, the Boren scholarship offers the opportunity for intensive language study abroad. Boren Scholarships provide up to $25,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in under-studied areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. Education Abroad can assist K-State students with finding language-study focused programs that fit the scholarship. Boren Fellowships provide up to $30,000 to U.S. graduate students to add an important international and language component to their graduate education through specialization in area study, language study, or increased language proficiency. If you would like to discuss the Boren, please contact us at sdur@ksu.edu

Campus Deadline: January 16th

Phi Beta Kappa Key into Public Service

https://www.pbk.org/programs/keyintopublicservice The Phi Beta Kappa Society is a leading national advocate for the value of arts and sciences education. Our Key into Public Service program and scholarship opportunity highlights the wide range of opportunities for arts, humanities, natural science, social science, and mathematics majors to pursue rewarding careers in local, state, and federal government. Each scholar will receive a $5,000 undergraduate scholarship and will participate in a conference that provides training, mentoring, and reflection on pathways into local, state, and federal government careers.

Deadline: January 20

Emerson Hunger Fellowship

https://www.hungercenter.org/what-we-do/emerson-fellowship/fellows/ During the 11-month fellowship, Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows develop a deep understanding of effective solutions to hunger and poverty, and their own roles in achieving Zero Hunger in the United States. Following orientation and field training in Washington, D.C., Emerson Fellows spend five months with community-based organizations throughout the United States. In mid-February fellows return to Washington for a second placement with organizations and government agencies focused on national anti-hunger and anti-poverty policy. Throughout the fellowship, fellows hone essential skills and form a strong professional cohort through in-person trainings, retreats, and professional development sessions.

Deadline: January 30

Hollings Scholarship

https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/hollings-scholarship The Hollings Scholarship Program provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to $9,500 per year) for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time paid ($700/week) internship at a NOAA facility during the summer. The internship between the first and second years of the award provides scholars with hands-on, practical experience in NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities. Awards also include travel funds to attend a mandatory NOAA Scholarship Program orientation and the annual Science & Education Symposium, scientific conferences where students present their research, and a housing subsidy for scholars who do not reside at home during the summer internship.

Deadline: January 31

Tillman Scholarship

https://pattillmanfoundation.org/apply/ The Pat Tillman Foundation identifies remarkable military service members, veterans and spouses, empowering them with academic scholarships, lifelong leadership development opportunities and a diverse, global community of high-performing mentors and peers. Our scholars are making an impact as they lead through action in the fields of healthcare, business, public service, STEM, education and the humanities.

Deadline: February 1

Fulbright Summer Institute

https://fulbright.org.uk/our-programmes/undergraduate-and-pre-university-programmes/uk-summer-institutes/ The Fulbright UK Summer Institutes are three-to-four-week programs for US undergraduate students, who have no or very little travel experience outside North America. Participants can explore the culture, heritage and history of the UK while experiencing higher education at a UK university. Depending on the Institute, students will have the opportunity to: Study alongside leading academics and professionals, Develop knowledge in specific fields, Experience cultural and social events, Visit UK cultural sites and areas of scenic beauty, receive credit to transfer to their home institution, Meet people from different backgrounds and cultures, Become an ambassador.

Deadline: February 2

Fund for Education Abroad

https://fundforeducationabroad.org Provides scholarships and ongoing support to students with financial need who are underrepresented among the U.S. study-abroad population.

Deadline: February 4

Samuel Huntington Public Service Award

https://www.samuelhuntingtonaward.org/apply The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award provides $30,000 stipends for graduating college seniors to pursue one year of public service anywhere in the world. The award allows recipients to engage in a meaningful public service activity for one year before proceeding to graduate school or a career. Projects that have the potential to be sustainable are favored, and therefore many of the projects initiated by past award recipients continue to benefit people today.

Deadline: February 9

Hispanic Scholarship fund

https://www.hsf.net/scholarship Every year, HSF selects 10,000 outstanding students as HSF Scholars from a broad and talented pool of applicants. HSF Scholars have access to a full range of invaluable Scholar Support Services, including career services, mentorship, leadership development, knowledge building, and wellness training. Career services include access to select internship and job opportunities with HSF corporate partners. HSF Scholars are eligible to apply for all Scholar Conferences including, the STEM Summit, Finance Conference, Media & Entertainment Summit, Entrepreneurship Summit, and Healthcare Summit. HSF Scholars may also be eligible to receive a scholarship, which range from $500-$5,000 and are awarded directly to students.

Deadline: February 15

TAPIF - English teaching in France

https://villa-albertine.org/frenchculture/frenchcultures/teach-english-in-france/#:~:text=The%20Teaching%20Assistant%20Program%20in,for%2012%20hours%20a%20week. TAPIF works with France Éducation international (FEI) to place language assistants in classrooms of all ages across metropolitan France, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and La Réunion. The seven-month contracts, which can be renewed twice (consecutively or not), enable young adults to gain valuable classroom experience, improve their French language skills, and immerse themselves in the francophone world.

Deadline: November- March 15

English Teaching Flagship Awards in Taiwan

https://taiwan-etaprogram.org/ The Foundation for Scholarly Exchange and Taiwan’s Ministry of Education created the ETF opportunity to provide “English-friendly classrooms across Taiwan.” Participants will serve as teaching assistants in public elementary schools, junior high schools, or special programs, contributing to students’ global outlooks and fostering meaningful learning experiences throughout Taiwan.

Deadline: March 1

 

Beyond SDUR

This section features opportunities beyond SDUR’s purview. If you or your organization wish to advertise for upcoming opportunities, please contact SDUR@ksu.edu by the 25th of the month to be featured in the following month’s letter. Please include:

• A brief description of the opportunity as you would like it listed

• Relevant dates, links, and contact information

• ‘SDUR Newsletter Contribution’ in the subject line

 

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