Commonwealth Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Fellowship $5,000 stipend

The CURE Fellowship welcomes applications from UK undergraduate students of any major that are: 

• registered as full-time students

• have completed at least 1 semester (preferably 2+) of research with a faculty mentor

• are in good academic standing

• will return to UK for the Fall 2026 semester as a full-time registered undergraduate.

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, 2026.

It is necessary to submit an application if you are applying for the CURE Fellowship. 

Application Deadline: March 1, 2026 by 11:55 PM EST

For questions regarding the application process, please email jesibowman@uky.edu 

Connect with a Mentor + Application Process

1. Review the Research Priority Areas (RPA) to find a broad area of interest to you.

2. 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.

3. 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.  

4. Faculty or Staff Research Mentor's Letter of Support.  Upload letter of support HERE. Due by 11:55 p.m. ET on March 5, 2026.

• Complete a minimum of 200 hours of mentored research during the summer term (e.g., 20 hours per week over 10 weeks)

• Schedule is flexible and determined by the mentor and student. 

• Complete a Pre- and Post-Experience Survey

• Midsummer Check-in Photos (July 2026)

• Final Report at the end of the Summer 2026 term (August 2026)

• Participation in the OUR Summer Research Fellows Symposium (August 2026)

• Present research at the Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars (April 2027)

• Work with UK Public Relations and VPR Communications to spotlight summer research work and experience

CURE Fellowship applicants will have a declared major or pertinent background in a field of relevance as identified by the RPA.