Information for Applicants

As motivated scholars in an intensive research community, awardees will make involvement in research the driving force of their education as they pursue independent projects of their own design supported by their mentors and other members of their lab or group.

The WRFF application is joined with the Levinson Emerging Scholars Award application. You are encouraged to apply for both.

Student Background & Goals Statement:

(each question is a short answer response, up to 150 words)

• Share what motivated you to pursue this proposed research project.  
• Describe the ways research has complemented your college coursework and enhanced your undergraduate academic experience.  
• Tell us about the role the proposed research project plays in helping you meet your long-term educational and professional goals. 
• Explain how this award would impact you and your ability to conduct this research. 

Project Description 

• Abstract: Provide an abstract of your research project (up to 300 words)   
• Research Plan: Provide a research proposal that includes the following (PDF upload, 4 pages double spaced, 12pt font, you may also include up to two additional pages for references and figures if applicable).  

• • Significant questions or problems the research will address  
  • Project methods and timeline  
  • Anticipated or possible results  
  • An explanation of the importance of your project to its field of study and potential societal implications.  

• Innovation and New Directions/Applications: Describe the ways your research could contribute to innovation in your field and if applicable, the development of new technologies (Short Answer, up to 150 words). 
• Independence & Creative Input: Describe the level of independence you will have in your research project and the contributions you have made to the project proposal. Describe the support your mentor will provide you during the project (Short Answer, up to 200 words). 

Budget and Budget Justification:

A budget for the proposed project that identifies support for the student, including scholarship funds for educational expenses and modest support for research books, supplies, or materials. Requests should not exceed $8,000. If you have any questions about preparing a budget, the Office of Undergraduate Research advisers are available to help. Email undergradresearch@uw.edu to set up an appointment.   

Budget Template (Word)

Budget Template (pdf)

Please see examples of budget templates under “Application Resources”.

Faculty Mentor Recommendation:

The student must submit contact information for one faculty mentor recommender. Faculty recommenders will receive letter-writing instructions via email. One additional mentor letter of recommendation may be added if desired. The secondary letter may be from another faculty member or from a graduate student, postdoctoral researcher, teaching assistant, or research staff member.

Additional Components: 

Student transcripts and resumes will also be reviewed in this application.

Note: 

We have made several changes to the WRF and Levinson application for the 2024 application cycle. First, we have separated several of our multi-faceted, free-response questions into smaller, more specific prompts and have included additional resources for students as they navigate the application process (e.g. budget examples, advice from previous recipients). Second, we removed a question that asked students how they are currently promoting equity, inclusion, and justice (EIJ) in their field. Instead of assessing undergraduates on their promotion of EIJ in an application question, we plan to infuse important conversations related to EIJ into cohort-based programming. 

 

Review Process

1. Applicant eligibility is confirmed, and applications are screened for completeness. 
2. A committee of three faculty and staff will review your application. Two of these reviewers will be researchers in areas close to your project discipline but may not be experts in the precise area of focus of the proposed project. The third reviewer will be a “generalist.” This reviewer is generally a faculty or staff member who understands the research enterprise well but may not be an expert in your field. Reviewers provide numerical scores and comments, based on a rubric that encompasses the criteria specified under the Selection Criteria found below. 
3. All applicants receive notification and all applicants, funded or not funded, are invited to receive feedback on their applications. 

Selection Criteria

Student Background & Goals

• The applicant is academically prepared and has sufficient prior experience to engage in the proposed research.
• The applicant demonstrates drive and self-motivation to engage in the proposed research.
• The applicant demonstrates genuine interest, curiosity, and passion for the proposed research. 

Project Description 

• The applicant provides the background information necessary to understand the context and purpose of their project.  
• The applicant describes clear aims for their project and how they plan to achieve them. 
• The applicant discusses potential results and implications of their project. 
• The proposed work can realistically be completed during the award period. 

Independence & Creative Input 

• The applicant has clearly participated in the intellectual development of the project proposal. 
• The applicant demonstrates independence in their research. This independence is recognized and supported by the research mentor. 
• The student or mentor conveys a supportive research environment that will help facilitate this research experience. 

Connection to Student’s Goals & Impact 

• The applicant describes how this research experience will help them advance toward their long term goals, particularly as these relate to a career in research. 
• The applicant describes the potential learning outcomes of the research experience. 
• The applicant conveys the financial impact of this award on their ability to engage in research as an undergraduate student. 

Innovation & New Direction/Applications 

• The applicant describes how their project will lead to innovation and/or new technology. 

Feedback on your Application

If you did not receive the WRF or Levinson award this year, you have the option to meet with an Office of Undergraduate Research staff member to receive feedback on your application. Please email us at undergradresearch@uw.edu to schedule an appointment. 

Attend an Information Session

Come learn more about the application process by attending an information session. For the 2024 – 2025 application cycle, information sessions will be held on:

• June 14, 2024 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm PT on Zoom, RSVP link
• July 12, 2024 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm PT on Zoom, RSVP link

Ask for Feedback Before Submitting your Application

Ask your research mentor and someone who is not involved with your research
Connect with your research mentor to discuss the application process and ask them to review your application materials. Your research mentor can bring valuable perspective during the application process and help you articulate your research plan. Since applications are reviewed by a combination of research experts in your field and generalists, ask someone not involved in your research lab to review your application materials. An additional reviewer can bring a fresh perspective during the review process and ensure that your research explanations are understandable to a broad audience. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to get feedback before submitting your application. Please note: the Office of Undergraduate Research is unable to provide feedback on application materials.

Campus Resources
The UW Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships, & Awards (OMSFA) offers advising services and scholarship resources to assist students in navigating the scholarship process. To learn more about OMSFA’s scholarship resources or to meet with an OMSFA adviser, check out the OMSFA website.
The UW Odegaard Writing & Research Center (OWRC) has friendly and responsive peer tutors who can make suggestions or help explore answers to your writing questions during the application process. Please note that the OWRC is not a proof-reading service. For more information about OWRC services and resources, check out the OWRC website

Use Levinson Budget Examples as Guides

A valuable aspect of applying for the Levinson program is getting experience creating a research supply budget. However, you can also ask for funds to support educational expenses (e.g. tuition, textbooks, a personal computer, etc.) if that is helpful for you. We hope that you will engage in the budgeting process in the way that is most impactful for you and your project.

Budget Template (Word)

Budget Template (pdf)

Levinson Budget Template Ex. 1

Levinson Budget Template Ex. 2

Levinson Budget Template Ex. 3

Advice from Prior Awardees

Showcase your scientific thinking! Highlight the significance of your research by explicitly pinpointing the existing knowledge gap in your field. Articulate your plans for addressing potential discrepancies between your data and hypotheses. – Dania Ahmed, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Levinson Emerging Scholar

Start early and have multiple people read through your drafts. It is beneficial to have feedback from people of different backgrounds to ensure your writing is technical but also understandable to a wide range of audiences. – Joy Chen, Bioengineering, Levinson Emerging Scholar

Express how excited about your project and the experience you’ve had in your lab! The technical aspects of your project are important, but just as important is your ability to articulate why you want to dedicate so much time and effort to your research. I think that sharing your motivations and passion for your project makes others more likely to be excited and engage with your project, too! I also think that articulating specific experiments and specifications for your project helps to convince reviewers that you have a solid plan as to how you are going to attack your project. It also demonstrates you are capable of completing your project and have a deep understanding of your research. – Beau Lonnquist, Bioengineering, Levinson Emerging Scholar

During the program, Levinson Scholars will be expected to:

• Remain active in the research project described in their application and maintain eligibility criteria for the duration of the award
• Provide project updates to program administrators and funders when requested
• Participate in various professional development events offered by the Office of Undergraduate Research, including opportunities to interact with other researchers and program alumni and workshops on various topics related to career building
• Present their research at the annual UW Undergraduate Research Symposium

Approximately ten students will be named Levinson Scholars each year. Award amounts will be flexible and variable, with each award tailored to the student’s research plan and needs. During their award period, Levinson Emerging Scholars may request additional funding through the Undergraduate Research Program to present their research at a professional conference.