Program Overview

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) is a flagship undergraduate summer research program where continuing junior and senior level students work in a research lab for 10 weeks and complete an independent research project.

Program Overview

The Nevada INBRE UROP provides an award of up to $7,200, paid out as a summer student worker salary. UROP mentors will receive $1,000 to defray the cost of lab supplies. This program expects students to be engaged in full-time research during the program. Students will participate in seminars that cover topics including, but not limited to, responsible conduct of research, ethics, rigor and reproducibility, authorship, protection of vertebrate animals and human subjects, and professional development. Students will present their work at the NV INBRE Network-Wide Annual Research Conference as well as institution-specific research symposiums.

Program Guidelines

• Research projects will begin in early June and include 10-weeks of full-time, independent research. The mentor must be present during the entire program or the student may become ineligible.
• Students are required to attend an orientation which includes a required laboratory safety class.
• Students are required to attend a series of seminars and workshops focused on assisting students planning to pursue biomedical research careers.
• All students will present their research project at an undergraduate poster session and the Nevada INBRE Network-Wide Annual Research Conference in August.
• Students will receive pay of up to $7,200 for the summer (paid as hourly student worker wage over the working dates of the program).
• If outside employment or coursework interferes with the lab research and project, a conference must be held with the Nevada INBRE administrative core, including the student and mentor, prior to the start of the research period. Failure to dedicate adequate time and effort to the research project may result in termination of the award.

Eligibility

Students must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• U.S. citizenship or have a valid employment authorization document (EAD) permitting you to work in the U.S.
• Continuing junior and senior undergraduates enrolled in classes for the upcoming fall semester. You are not eligible if graduating in spring or summer or if you already hold a bachelor's degree or higher in a STEM field.
• 3.0 minimum GPA
• Undergraduates enrolled at UNR, UNLV, NSU, CSN, GBC, TMCC, or WNC, or students from western IDeA states (Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico or Wyoming).
• Preference will be given to applicants who have not received a Nevada INBRE UROP award in the past.

Important Dates

• Program dates: June 1, 2026 Aug. 7, 2026
• Poster symposium: August 2026 (exact date to be announced by each institution)

Application Requirements

• Personal statement: 1-2 pages, 12pt font, 1-inch margins, Times New Roman or Arial, and double-spaced. The personal statement should describe your educational journey, research background, and expectations about the program.
• Research proposal (if applicable): 5-6 pages, 12pt font, 1-inch margins, Times New Roman or Arial, and double spaced. The research proposal should include an abstract, introduction, objectives, research hypothesis, plans for research, and a research timetable.
• Unofficial transcript: uploaded in a single PDF format along with the personal statement and research proposal (if applicable).

Application Process

All UROP applicants must upload a personal statement, research proposal (if applicable), and a copy of unofficial transcripts in a single PDF format. The application will automatically send a link to the reference form to the mentor, who must submit the reference by the application deadline.