Charlie Nuttelman and students in undergraduate lab

The Young Scholars Summer Research Program is a 10-week research program for undergraduates hosted by the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at CU Boulder.

This highly selective program helps students prepare for graduate school and a career in research through intensive practice and professional development. The program is open to undergraduate students nationwide majoring in chemical and/or biological engineering and related fields.

Participants will collaborate with top faculty on projects including biotechnology, materials and renewable energy and will also benefit from:

  • $4,500 stipend + $500 travel allowance + free housing
  • Weekly professional development seminars
  • End-of-summer research poster session with monetary awards

Applications for the 2020 program are due on February 14, 2020.

Questions? Contact Professor Tim Whitehead at timothy.whitehead@colorado.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Although research in our department spans many diverse fields, there is a particular emphasis on research in biological engineering, functional materials and renewable energy. You may conduct research in one of these areas:

  • Biomaterials and tissue engineering
  • Biosensing
  • Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals
  • Catalysis and surface science
  • Computational science and engineering
  • Energy
  • Fluids and flows
  • Interfaces and self-assembly
  • Membranes and separations
  • Nanomaterials and nanotechnology
  • Polymers and soft materials
  • Protein engineering and synthetic biology

The 2020 program is scheduled for May 26 – August 1.

The department plans to select seven to eight students for the 2020 cohort.

To apply, please fill out the application form on the right of this webpage by February 14, 2020 by including the following information in a single PDF:

  • CV or resume (two-page limit)
  • Personal statement including research experiences and interests and career plans (two-page limit)
  • Unofficial transcript

Applicants should also provide one letter of recommendation from an academic/professional reference (not a peer or personal reference), sent by February 14, 2020 to Dominique de Vangel at chbegrad@colorado.edu, subject line: Summer Research Program).

Admission to the program will be granted on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. Students selected will be notified no later than mid-April.

The department will provide accommodations on campus at no cost to participants.