The Commonwealth Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Fellowship, sponsored by the University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and Research Priority Areas (RPA) supported by the Office of the Vice President for Research, seeks to ensure the participation of undergraduate students in mentored research in areas defined to be of critical importance to Kentuckians and the Commonwealth.
Stipend: $5,000
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025 by 11:55 PM EST
By providing opportunities to discover, invent, create, and develop new knowledge and skills, the CURE Fellowship will empower undergraduates to become informed citizens and leaders for their respective communities. Multiple CURE Fellowships will be awarded for each participating RPA.
CURE Fellows will receive a $5,000 stipend for the Summer 2025 period.
* multiple CURE Fellowships will be awarded for each RPA
The CURE Fellowship welcomes applications from all UK undergraduate students, with preference given to those who identify with one or more of the following backgrounds that have been recognized as being underrepresented* or protected**
View eligibility guidelines below
The CURE Fellowship welcomes applications from UK undergraduate students of any major that are:
CURE Fellowship applicants will have a declared major or pertinent background in a field of relevance as identified by the RPA.
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025 by 11:55 PM EST
Connect with a Mentor + Application Process
Review the Research Priority Areas (RPA) to find a broad area of interest to you.
Identify potential mentors within the RPA. Links to each RPA are included in the participating RPA list above. To apply to work with a specific mentor, please contact that mentor directly. If you are currently working with a mentor, confirm if they are connected with a participating RPA.
A brief proposal is required for application to the CURE Fellowship program. Once connected with a faculty or staff research mentor, you will need to craft a 300 - 1,000 word proposal that provides a brief description of the summer research project. View proposal format and guidelines here.
Faculty or Staff Research Mentor's Letter of Support. Upload letter of support HERE. Due by 11:55 p.m. ET on March 5, 2025.
Confirmed UK faculty or staff research mentor for the duration of the CURE Fellowship. The research mentor will provide a letter i) confirming their intent to mentor the CURE Fellow and ii) that they are able to support the proposed CURE Fellow research activities. If the CURE fellow intends to work remotely during the summer, the letter should provide details about how progress will be monitored.
You can upload your letter of support HERE. Due by 11:55 p.m. ET on March 5, 2025.
Complete 200 hours of mentored research during the summer term. Schedule is flexible and determined by the mentor and student.
Complete a Pre- and Post-Experience Survey
Midsummer Check-in Photos (July 8, 2025)
Final Report at the end of the Summer 2024 term (August 8, 2025)
Participation in the OUR Summer Research Fellows Symposium (August 2025)
Present research at the Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars (April 2026)
Work with UK Public Relations and VPR Communications to spotlight summer research work and experience