FAQ for Applicants

Applicants must have at least three quarters of prior research experience at the undergraduate level. There are instances in which a student’s undergraduate research experience might follow a nonlinear sequence. The following examples all meet the three quarters of prior research experience criteria –

• • Three quarters of research in different undergraduate labs
  • Taking a break between research experiences as long as the cumulative research experience equates to three quarters
  • A full-time summer research experience such as an REU counts as the equivalent of two quarters of research experience

Yes, you can apply as a sophomore if you are a junior and have had at least 3 quarters of prior research experience (or equivalent) by the quarter and year the funding will be awarded.

Yes, you can apply to both during the same application cycle. The Washington Research Foundation Fellowship and Levinson Emerging Scholars Award share a joined application. If you apply for the Levinson Emerging Scholars Award you must include a budget proposal.

Students in all majors are eligible to apply if they can relate their research plan and/or educational or long-term goals to biosciences-related research or applications.

Although it is not necessary to submit more than one faculty member recommendation, we will accept more than one recommendation if it is beneficial to support your proposed research project – i.e., if a secondary recommendation highlights an aspect of your research or scholarly potential that would assist our reviewers in assessing your application.

Every case will be different depending on your financial aid package. If you receive the award, the UW Office of Student Financial Aid will review your eligibility to receive the full award based on your other scholarships and financial aid.

Those who receive WRF or Levinson funding are not eligible to receive Mary Gates Research Scholarship funds at the same time. Applicants must be eligible to begin the award in the Fall quarter. If you receive the Mary Gates Research Scholarship and Washington Research Foundation Fellowship or Levinson Emerging Scholars award for the same period, you must withdraw from one of the programs to maintain eligibility and receive funding.

Applicants must be eligible to begin the award in the Fall quarter and can graduate a quarter early and receive funding for two quarters. If you will be graduating a quarter early, please include this information in your application materials. It is not possible to receive the award for only one quarter. These awards are not open to students who have graduated or are participating in a graduate program during the award period.

The Office of Undergraduate Research is unable to review application materials for prospective applicants to the Washington Research Foundation Fellowship or Levinson Emerging Scholars Award. For support with your application materials, please connect with the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards – https://expd.uw.edu/scholarships/.