2025-26 Undergraduate Research Ambassador application now open
Applications are being accepted for University of Kentucky Undergraduate Research Ambassadors (URAs) for the 2025-26 school year.
Organized by the UK Office of Undergraduate Research, the Ambassadors program is a volunteer opportunity for undergraduates who are passionate about promoting undergraduate research at UK and helping other undergraduates find their path.
“The OUR Ambassador program is a crucial source of peer support that helps other undergraduate students navigate research. It is comforting to know that Ambassadors are willing to talk about their experiences and guide you through what can be a daunting process,” said Diksha Satish, current URA and senior Lewis Honors College biology and mathematics major. “I realized how important this program was when I attended a research proposal workshop earlier this semester. I had never written one before, so being able to hear from my peers on how they approached their applications made it seem far less intimidating.”
The Ambassadors are a multidisciplinary, diverse team of students engaged in research in different fields of study across campus and serve a central role as advocates at UK. The URAs work to inspire broader engagement in undergraduate research by educating and serving the UK community and beyond. Ambassadors provide presentations to the campus community, create relevant workshops and programming, and represent the Office of Undergraduate Research, their respective colleges and UK at research, recruiting and outreach events.
URAs are chosen competitively through an interview process. Applicants are required to meet the following criteria:
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Full-time enrollment as an undergraduate for 2025-26 in good academic standing
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Have at least two terms of research experience (fall, spring, summer)
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Strong oral/written communication skills, leadership skills and work ethic
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Commit to at least two semesters (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026)
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Commit to continue research in the academic year as an active peer mentor
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Complete the training program and attend monthly meetings
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Comply with the UK Student Code of Conduct
Students interested in becoming URAs for the 2025-26 school year should attend an interest session to talk with current student ambassadors to learn more about this leadership opportunity. The interest session is 5:30 p.m. March 4, in the Jacobs Science Building, room 103. Attendance is mandatory for all applicants.
For more information, visit our.uky.edu/ambassadors. Applications are open and are encouraged from all campuses and areas of study. The deadline to apply is March 31.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.