Whether helping develop new diagnostic techniques for heart disease, or detecting the effects of nuclear waste, discovery learning apprentices make the most of their time at CU Boulder by supplementing classroom instruction with real-world engineering experience.

Undergraduate engineering students in the apprenticeship program earn hourly wages (currently $16/hr) while engaging in research with college faculty and graduate students. Positions are announced in late March, and applications are accepted through early May for apprenticeships during the following academic year. Students may work up to 300 hours in these positions over the course of the academic year (average of 10/hrs per week over 30 weeks in the academic year). Students attend several mandatory seminars and all DLA students present a Power Point presentation in the spring as a culmination of their work. The top presenters then move on to present a poster at the annual DLA symposium each April. 

As an undergraduate discovery learning apprentice, you’ll work alongside graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and faculty as collaborative partners on original research. We find that students bring a fresh perspective to the research team while also learning from their more experienced partners.

  • Students will be required to be in Good Academic Standing in the College of Engineering in Applied Science to apply for a position.
    • This means that degree-seeking students should be meeting CU cumulative, semester, and major GPAs of at least 2.0
  • Prior DLA Students and Prior CU SPUR students are not eligilble for DLA positions
  • This program is open to current CU Boulder students enrolled in the College of Engineering and Applied Science only. NO EXCEPTIONS!
  • Watch the "Preparing to Apply for the CU SPUR/DLA" Webinar
  • Link to View 2023-2024 projects
    • Note the 2023/2024 project cycle is closed. This is just to give you an idea of the types of projects that are posted each year.
  • Application will be sent out to all CEAS students in good academic standing no later than April 10th each spring. 
  • Deadline to apply is May 15th
  • Students will be notified in July of decision. 
  • The 2024 Discovery Learning Apprenticeship (DLA) Symposium will take place on April 19, 2024.