Vanderbilt University UG Summer Research Opportunities
Undergraduate students are invited to apply for Vanderbilt University School of Engineering (VUSE) summer research opportunities under the supervision of a School of Engineering faculty member. Students will work side-by-side with faculty, graduate students, and other staff on an active research project while gaining first-hand laboratory experience.
Students will receive a US$8,000 stipend to aid with the cost of housing and living expenses during this ten-week program. Note this will be paid after successfully completion of the program
DEADLINE: noon (UK time) on Monday 8 December 2025
About
This is an intensive, full-time research experience for a 10-week period at VUSE, Nashville, TN, USA, from 26 May - 31 July 2026.
Vanderbilt University is one of the most highly respected, engaging universities and research institutions in the world. The School of Engineering has special expertise in key research areas spanning biomedical, civil, chemical, environmental, electrical, mechanical engineering as well as materials science and computer science. Join the VUSE Summer Research Program and work side-by-side with faculty, current graduate students and other undergraduate students on an active research project while gaining first-hand experience in state of the art laboratory research.
If accepted to the program, students that successfully complete the program will receive support totalling US$8,000. Disbursement methods may vary depending; accepted applicants will receive instructions on how to receive their funds.
Eligibility
- There is no minimum GPA requirement, though many labs may prefer candidates with a GPA of 3.5 and above
- You do not have to be an engineering student to apply - although many projects have core engineering foundations. Projects are designed to be interdisciplinary and past projects have been in the following fields:
- Biomedical
- Chemical and Biomolecular
- Civil and Environmental
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Mechanical
Key dates
The 10 week experience runs from 26 May - 31 July 2026
Cost
If accepted, students will receive a US$8,000 stipend, paid after successfully completion of the program. Consider all costs which will initially have to be covered, including:
- Travel
- Visa costs
- Accommodation (resources are provide by VUSE to support sourcing) - applications open early spring
- Day-to-day living costs (incl. food and travel)
Participants are responsible for covering their own costs
More information
- Review the flyerLink opens in a new window
- Review the websiteLink opens in a new window
For the purpose of this application all nominations must be made by Student Mobility
How do I apply?
You must be formally nominated through Student Mobility for VUSE summer research opportunities. To do so you must complete the following steps
Step 1
Review the opportunity and consider the dates and upfront costs required
Prepare an updated CV for inclusion with your application
Source a referee from your academic department and ensure that they can provide a reference (Step 3) by the deadline
Step 2
Complete our online application form before the deadline noon (UK time) on Monday 8 December 2025
Step 3*
Arrange for your referee to complete an online reference (link below) for you before noon on Monday 8 December 2025
This should be someone from your academic department
Step 4
Review the project detailsLink opens in a new window and select up to three projects once the 2026 list is available
Inform the Short Term Mobility team of these by noon on Monday 8 December via email
We will confirm which students have been successful in being selected.
Next steps
We will notify all applicants of the outcome by 17:00 Monday 15 December 2025
- If you are selected we will formally nominate you to VUSE
- You will then need to complete an application with VUSE by their deadline of 19 January 2026 (11:59pm CST) - further details will be provided
* It is your responsibility to contact your referee and ensure your reference is completed in time, we will not be able to confirm receipt of your reference - you should ask your referee to confirm with you that they have submitted this.