Research Programs and Cohorts

The Developing Scholars Program (DPS) offers underrepresented students research projects with faculty mentors. Students receive academic, social and financial support while participating in the discovery and creation of new knowledge at Kansas State University. The Developing Scholars Program is an Excelencia In Education Honorable Mention. Visit the DSP website to learn more.

The McNair Scholars Program is federally funded and prepares low-income and first-generation college students, as well as students from groups under-represented in graduate education for doctoral study. A paid eight-week undergraduate research experience with faculty mentors is a major part of this preparation. Learn more about McNair Scholars at this link.

The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation is a National Science Foundation program that assists colleges and universities in diversifying the workforce entering science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, in part, by supporting institutions' efforts to increase the numbers of students that successfully complete baccalaureate degrees in these fields. Learn more about KS-LSAMP at this link.

In partnership with K-State and Montclair State Univeristy, undergraduate students are encouraged to apply for a Summer 2025 Green Team.

The PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies is pleased to announce that undergraduate student applications are now open to join our summer 2025 Green Teams Internship Program running from May 2 - Aug. 6, 2025. This 11 week program pays a stipend plus housing. Travel grants are also available.

This is the tenth year that this program brings together students from diverse backgrounds, universities and majors to address complex sustainability challenges for a wide array of organizations including but not limited to corporations, local businesses, municipalities, community groups, government agencies, and nonprofits. Visit the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies website for more information.

Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research (SDUR) is proud to host summer undergraduate research experience shared programming. Any summer undergraduate summer programs are welcome to register and join these events. Through a partnership with existing summer experiences, SDUR will facilitate the following events with the purpose of creating a strong network and sense of community for summer undergraduate researchers: 

Professional Development Session 3: Short Summer Synopses preparation  

• 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 

• Location: Town Hall, Leadership Studies Building, https://ksu.zoom.us/j/92188861708  

Professional Development Session 3.5: Nationally Competitive Scholarship and Fellowship Applications 

• 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, July 17 

• Location: Town Hall, Leadership Studies Building, https://ksu.zoom.us/j/92188861708  

3-Minute Pitch 

Inspired by 3-minute Thesis events commonly hosted, this event will showcase brief reviews of the discoveries made by undergraduate researchers this summer. Any member of the university community is welcome to attend. A schedule of events will be announced in mid-summer.  

• Tuesday, July 23, 2-5 p.m.

• Location TBD  
• Register here 
• For more details, visit this page

KSRE Multicultural Summer Research Fellowship

The Multicultural Undergraduate and Graduate Summer Research Fellowship will provide an opportunity for multicultural students to work closely with faculty members as part of their research teams. Students are expected to spend 35 hours per week working with their research teams and to be contributing members of this group. By the end of the 8 week period, June 2 to July 31, students should have produced tangible results from experimental research and will report the results in a special research forum. This Fellowship is an excellent experience for students who plan to attend graduate or professional school.

Students selected to participate in the K-State program will be paired with faculty in research projects that match a student's interests. Faculty and other members of the research team are committed to working closely with the students to train them in research techniques as well as regularly discussing their projects and progress.

Students may also attend summer classes on research ethics and compliance, and informal seminars and meetings of the research groups as part of the process of becoming members of the research team.

Laser-matter Interactions at the Atomic and Nanoscales (Physics REU)

The 10-week summer program offers students an opportunity to perform cutting-edge research. Each student will be paired with a faculty research mentor. The program includes lectures and presentations by Physics professors and Dr. Bruce Glymour, Professor of Philosophy, will lead discussions of ethical issues in physics, including case studies of some famous ethical violations in recent years. Students will develop a web page, give regular research updates, and give an oral or poster presentation summarizing their research project. Sophomores and juniors who have completed a course in modern physics are eligible. US citizens and permanent residents are encouraged to apply. Rolling admissions begin February 1.

Research Immersion: Pathways to STEM (RiPS)

Students in this 8-week summer program will be engaged in research on the K-State campus. Students will be paired with a faculty member who will help them conduct an independent research project. RiPS is sponsored by the Kansas Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation which is a National Science Foundation program. It aims to strengthen the connection between K-State and four other Kansas colleges: Dodge City Community College, Donnelly College, Garden City Community College and Seward County Community College. RiPS will provide opportunities for students to conduct research in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) fields. In addition to the research component of the program, RiPS students will have the opportunity to socialize with students from all over the nation who are participating in research programs on campus. Room and board are covered to help encourage students to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of K-State. Students will also receive a stipend for their participation in the 8-week program. The overall goal of RiPS is to provide summer academic and professional preparation to students. Students who identify themselves as Hispanic/Latino, African American/Black, Native American/American Indian, Pacific islander, multiracial or another underrepresented student group and are looking to transfer from a partner college to K-State are encouraged to apply.

Chemistry Research Experience for Undergraduates (Chemistry REU)

The Chemistry REU Program is sponsored by the NSF Research experience for undergraduates program and provides research opportunities for students who have had limited exposure to independent research at their home institution. Both 4 year and community college students are encouraged to apply. As part of this program students spend ten weeks conducting cutting edge chemistry related research projects under the guidance of experienced researchers. In addition to the research experience, the students will also learn about and use the various types of instrumentation critical to chemists, learn about the importance of ethics in scientific research, gain a better understanding of the nature of science, and learn how to write up and present their research results. Accommodations and meals are paid for by the program. Students may also have the opportunity to travel to a national chemistry conference and present their results. Students who have completed one and preferably two years of chemistry coursework are eligible to apply. Rolling admissions begin February 21st.

Summer Internships in Plant Health

The Department of Plant Pathology offers summer (9-week program) internships in plant health. This research and extension experience for undergraduates program has research projects that cover plant health subject matters such as plant pathology, entomology, agronomy, genetics, and horticulture. Selected candidates receive a stipend.

The academic program of the Department of Communications and Agricultural Education is engaged in research projects in local, national, and international settings. Faculty members work with graduate and undergraduate student research projects. Learn more .

Plant pathology is the study of plant diseases, their causes, effects, and control. Keeping plants healthy requires an understanding of the organisms and agents that cause disease as well as an understanding of how plants grow and are affected by disease. Our faculty have a wide range of expertise and frequently take undergraduate research students for research training opportunities in their labs. Many of our faculty also participate in the Interdepartmental Genetics Program. Our faculty research interests include: Plant Disease, Plant Health, Genetics (Plant genetics of models and crops, fungal genetics, population genetics, host plant resistance genetics), Microbiology (Fungi, Bacteria, Viruses), Pathogens (Fungi, Bacteria, Viruses, Nematodes), Plant-Microbe Interactions, Molecular biology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Epidemiology, Applied Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Disease diagnosis and management. Learn more.

The Department of Biology offers numerous opportunities for undergraduates looking to get involved with research. Follow the links provided below to learn more.

Bioinformatics Center: Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary research area that relies on computational and statistical methods to solve biological problems. Undergraduate and graduate students in the Bioinformatics Group enter either in the K-State Division of Biology or the K-State Department of Computing and Information Sciences. Learn more .

Ecological Genomics Institute: supports integrative research that seeks to understand the genetic mechanisms underlying adaptive responses of organisms to their environment. Join the lab of one of the 13 KSU Ecological Genomics Institute's faculty mentors and discover the world of research. Learn more.

Students who participate in undergraduate research work closely with K-State chemistry professors and internationally known scientists and are given opportunities to present their work at meetings and conferences which provide additional opportunities for networking and interacting with other scientists. Learn more.

The Communication Studies program is dedicated to research that advances the fields of communication and rhetoric. Students and faculty are involved in a number of scholarly activities. Learn more .

The Department of Geology is deepening its research focus in three critical areas including energy and mineral resources, earth surface processes and the environment, and evolution and solid earth. Learn more .

The K-State History Department offers substantial scope to cover several thematic areas of concentration. Read more about department-wide opportunities here.

The Chapman Center for Rural Studies offers internships to undergraduates. Internships in the Chapman Center are allocated $1000.00 per semester and are not based on financial need. Under the direction of the Research Director, interns are expected to work a set number of hours per week on a thematic project leading to a larger goal (ie, publication of a book, database, website, museum installation) and keep a log of their activities each week that should be turned into the Research Director. Learn more about the application process .

The Center for the Integration of Undergraduate, Graduate, and Postdoctoral Research (I-Center) within the Department of Mathematics fosters groups of undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, and faculty jointly working on cutting edge problems in applied mathematics, pure mathematics and interdisciplinary areas. Learn more .

The Department of Psychological Sciences encourages Psychology majors to become involved in research activities as part of their undergraduate experience. Learn more about how to get involved .

In addition to performing cutting-edge research, our faculty are training today’s students to be some of tomorrow’s top cancer researchers and medical professionals. The center offers numerous opportunities to help students work towards careers in research and medicine through student award programs. Learn more .

The purpose of the Kansas INBRE (K-INBRE) is to strengthen the ability of Kansas researchers to compete effectively for NIH funds by building a "critical mass" of junior and senior investigators, as well as undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows supported with cutting edge technology within a scientific research theme. The scientific research theme chosen for the K-INBRE is Cell and Developmental Biology. Learn more .

Undergraduate students enrolled in any major in the College of Arts and Sciences are invited to apply for travel funding. The program supports students who want to attend conferences or other professional venues to present their research activities conducted with faculty members in the college. Students also may apply for funding to travel to conduct their research or to learn research techniques. Learn more about the application process .