Welcome to Undergraduate Research & Fellowships
Courtney Santos, Director of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, discusses the benefits of undergraduate research and fellowships participation, real student success stories, and how to start exploring your options.
Undergraduate Research
UCARE Information Session for Students
Kali Patterson, Project Coordinator, and Courtney Santos, Director, Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, announce updates for the Undergraduate Creative Activities & Research Experiences (UCARE) program for application cycle 2024-2025, benefits of research participation, and tips and strategies for preparing a successful UCARE application.
UCARE Writing Workshop
Kali Patterson, Project Coordinator for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, shares tips and strategies for student success in the Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences (UCARE) application process. Strategies include managing time, communicating with mentors during proposal development, and writing an effective and persuasive undergraduate research proposal.
Getting Comfortable With Presenting & Networking
Are you preparing to attend your first research conference? Courtney Santos, Director, Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, shares tips and strategies for conquering anxiety or concerns about public speaking in order to make successful research presentations and take advantage of conference networking opportunities.
Poster Presentations: Visual Design Tips
Are you preparing a Student Research Days poster? Undergraduate Research & Fellowships Peer Advisor & Ambassador Caroline Hites shares tips for creating poster visuals that judges will remember, including aesthetics, hierarchy, and consistency principles.
Scholarly Communication Workshop
Delve into the intricacies of scholarly communication, publication, and research-sharing platforms (like UNL Digital Commons) with our special guests from UNL Libraries, rofessor Sue Gardner and Scholarly Communications Product Specialist Linnea Fredrickson.
Fellowships
Undergraduate Fellowships
Take the next steps toward your future! Courtney Santos, Director, Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, will briefly discuss the variety of fellowship opportunities to support undergraduate study and professional development, including awards for original research, meaningful public service, and exciting study abroad. You’ll learn about eligibility and selection criteria, how to become a competitive candidate, and how to apply for the Goldwater Scholarship, Truman Scholarship, Gilman Scholarship, Critical Language Scholarship, Boren Awards, Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship, NOAA Hollings Scholarship, and Udall Scholarship. Don’t miss this chance to see how fellowships can enhance your career goals, provide substantial funding, and help you gain recognition as a leader in any field!
International Fellowships Information Session
Are you an undergraduate student interested in building stronger relationships between nations and cultures? The Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships advises applicants for undergraduate and graduate study abroad scholarships and English teaching opportunities!
Language Learning Fellowships
Courtney Santos, Director, Undergraduate Research & Fellowships discusses international fellowship opportunities for learning languages, including the Critical Language Scholarship, Boren Awards, and Gilman Scholarships. Learn about eligibility, how to apply, strategies for writing strong application materials, and how to access undergraduate advising resources at UNL.
Gilman Scholarship Information Session
Global Experiences Coordinator Renae Ninneman, Undergraduate Research & Fellowships Director Courtney Santos, and Graduate Assistant Ioanna Kipourou describe the process of applying for a Gilman Scholarship for undergraduate study abroad. Learn about eligibility, how to apply, strategies for writing strong application materials, and how to access advising resources at UNL.
Summer Advising Process
Dreaming of graduate study, teaching or research opportunities? Chart your course to meaningful, affordable graduate school or “gap”/professional development year experiences. We'll discuss how working with a fellowships advisor helps students stay on track with goals and achieve their highest ambitions. Join Courtney Santos, Director, Undergraduate Research & Fellowships to learn about your fellowships options, summer advising services, and application management tools.
International Fellowships: Choosing a Grant Type & Host Country
For applicants to Fulbright or International Graduate Leadership Fellowships: Courtney Santos, Director, Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, guides applicants to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and other international exchange programs offer varied grant types and host country options to teach, conduct research, or pursue a graduate degree abroad. Learn how to align your academic and professional goals with award opportunities and choose the best fit for you!
Fulbright Alumni Story: Bailey Lathrop ’16, 2016 Fulbright U.S. Student
Bailey Lathrop ’16, 2016 Fulbright U.S. Student, shares insights and photos from their Fulbright U.S. Student Study/Research grant to study the sedimentology of the Cuyo Group in the Neuquén Basin, Argentina.
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Information Session
Courtney Santos, Director, Undergraduate Research & Fellowships and partners around campus will discuss the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP). This event covers the NSF mission, GRFP eligibility and selection criteria, the 2024 application process, and how to take advantage of advising services for undergraduate and graduate applicants at UNL.
UK Graduate Fellowships
Dreaming of graduate study in the United Kingdom? Courtney Santos, Director of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, is your guide on this tour of graduate fellowship opportunities available in the UK, including the Marshall Scholarship (any UK university), Rhodes (Oxford), Gates Cambridge and Churchill (Cambridge), and Fulbright U.S. Student university partnership awards. Learn about the unique features of each fellowship, eligibility criteria, and application processes. Gain insights on how to craft compelling personal statements, secure strong letters of recommendation, and prepare for interviews.
Fellowship and Graduate Application Components
Securing Strong Letters of Reference & Letters of Affiliation
Wondering how to ask for a letter of recommendation—or what makes one stand out? This workshop, led by Courtney Santos, Director, Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, will discuss how to identify the right letter writers, ask for letters with confidence, and provide support materials to ensure a compelling letter. We’ll also cover the difference between letters of reference and letters of support (affiliation) and how to reach out to potential affiliates in host countries (for Fulbright Study/Research, or similar research and creative project grants).
Writing Personal Statements
Courtney Santos, Director of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, shares strategies for writing effective personal statements as well as exercises for unlocking your creativity and originality in the writing process. This session is designed to help students master the art of crafting compelling and effective personal statements for graduate school, fellowship applications, and other academic opportunities.
Writing Statements of Purpose & Project Proposals
Stand out from the stack. Application reviewers read hundreds of graduate study or project plans—learn how to make yours unforgettable. Your statement of purpose or proposal essay should showcase not just what you want to do, but why it matters. In this workshop, led by Courtney Santos, Director, Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, you’ll learn how to tell your story with purpose, connect your goals to a fellowship’s mission, and design a clear, compelling vision for your future work.
Effective Resumes, CVs, & Achievement Lists
Need to update your resume or build a curriculum vitae (CV)? Highlight your skills, experiences, and accomplishments in formats that stand out for fellowship opportunities. In this workshop, Courtney Santos, Director, Undergraduate Research & Fellowships covers how to emphasize key metrics for your achievements and tailor your documents to impress fellowship reviewers.
Preparing for Graduate School
Researching Graduate Schools
Are you eager to attend graduate school, but not sure where to start your planning? This workshop provides tips and strategies for planning your journey to graduate school, including choosing a graduate program that matches your learning goals, navigating the admissions process, and funding your education.
Grad School or Gap Year? “The Art of Choosing” Workshop
Undergraduate students are presented with a broad array of choices. When all of those choices sound beneficial, making a decision can feel overwhelming. Explore the “Art of Choosing” your next steps in your educational and professional development journey, including planning for your first year after graduation.
Comparing Graduate Admissions Offers
Congratulations on your graduate school acceptances! Now comes the big decision—how do you compare your offers and choose the best fit for your future? Join Courtney Santos, Director, Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, for a discussion on key factors to consider, including funding, faculty support, research opportunities, and career outcomes. Bring your questions and get insights to help you make a confident choice.
Career & Professional Development Skills
Embracing a Growth Mindset
Graduate Assistant Darby Ableman of the Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships provides tips for embracing opportunities to grow, develop personally and professionally, and overcome challenges along the way to growth, such as perfectionism.
Keep Calm & Carry On: A Project Management Workshop
As an undergraduate researcher or fellowship applicant, does it feel like you’re juggling a hundred things at once? You’ve got this! Learn strategies to navigate deadline conflicts and unexpected challenges, use effective coping strategies to ward off self-doubt or perfectionism, and stay motivated to achieve your goals.
Planning for Careers with Impact
Learn how to align your passions and skills with opportunities in fields such as public service, nonprofit work, social entrepreneurship, academia, and more. Gain insights on identifying career paths that create positive change, networking with professionals in your chosen field, and leveraging fellowships and research experiences to enhance your career prospects. The webinar will feature practical tips for building a career that not only fulfills you but also contributes to the greater good.
Creating a Wandering Map
Can activities you have loved doing in the past unlock clues to your future? Courtney Santos, Director of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, provides strategies to identify hidden themes in your life journey, find creative connections between your academic and extracurricular activities, articulate the strengths you bring to your work, and get excited about planning your future.