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:

  • $5,000 stipend + travel allowance + free housing
  • Weekly professional development seminars
  • End-of-summer research symposium with monetary awards

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

Questions? Contact Professor Joel Kaar at joel.kaar@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 tentatively scheduled for June 1 – August 7.

The department plans to select 8-10 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 in two-bedroom apartments on campus at no cost to participants.