The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences sponsors an annual college-wide undergraduate research award, the CLAS University Scholars Program (USP). With the support of Beyond120 and the Center for Undergraduate research, the CLAS USP gives undergraduate students an opportunity to work one-on-one with a CLAS faculty member on a research project. Scholars can undertake a variety of research projects, including those that draw from laboratory-based research, archival research, field work, and other methodologies. Through this program, CLAS University Scholars will gain valuable insights into how to perform research and create knowledge. They will also have access to unique research-focused programming, networking opportunities, and professionalization resources.
Program Details and Responsibilities
- The CLAS University Scholars stipend of $1,750 will be disbursed in two installments ($750 in September and $1,000 in January).
- Faculty mentors will receive a $500 award to help defray the costs of student research.
- After accepting the award in the spring, students begin research the following fall and spring semesters. They must remain enrolled in the appropriate research courses (or Honors courses) for both semesters of research.
- CLAS University Scholars are expected to submit a research paper for possible publication by the end of the spring term of their award year.
- Students are required to attend Beyond120 experiential learning activities, either one major event or two minor activities.
- Students will also be required to present their research results at the University of Florida Undergraduate Research Symposium held in the spring.
Eligibility and Nominations
- While CLAS majors are given preference, CLAS minors and individuals with research housed within CLAS are also encouraged to apply.
- Students are responsible for finding a faculty mentor. Faculty mentors must be housed within CLAS.
- Students should submit their applications to their mentors or their department’s USP coordinators by February 6. Please note that individual department deadlines may be earlier than February 6. Each student should confirm their department-specific requirements with their mentor well in advance of the deadline.
- Each department coordinator is responsible for reviewing and submitting their students’ applications to Beyond120 by February 13.
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following to their mentor or their department’s USP coordinator:
- An application cover sheet (PDF)
- A typed research proposal (a maximum of 500 words excluding references/bibliography).
- A letter of support from your faculty mentor.
Departmental USP coordinators should submit all application materials to Beyond120 by the February 13 deadline. Winning applicants will be notified in March.
Timeline for the 2026 – 2027 University Scholars Program
2026
- Feb. 6 – Default deadline for prospective USP scholars (2026-2027 cohort) to submit applications to their mentors’ departments. PLEASE NOTE: Individual departments deadlines may be earlier than Feb. 6. Each student should confirm their department-specific requirements with their mentor.
- Feb. 13 – Deadline for departments to rank the USP applications they receive
- March – Winning applications for 2026-2027 cohort announced
- March – All USP scholars must enroll in an undergraduate research course for both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 and must remain enrolled in said courses.
- Apr. 7 – USP orientation for 2026-2027 cohort. This coincides with 2025-2026 cohort’s spring undergraduate research symposium.
- Mid-April – Celebration of Research Dinner Event for both the incoming and outgoing CLAS USP cohort
- September – Fall undergraduate research kickoff event
- September – For the 2026-2027 cohort, payment of $750 disbursed
2027
- January – 2026-2027 cohort, payment of $1,000 disbursed.
- Apr. 1 – Deadline for 2026-2027 cohort members to submit a mentor-approved publication
- April – Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium for 2026-2027 cohort & Orientation for 2027-2028 cohort.
- Mid-April – Celebration of Research Dinner Event for both the incoming and outgoing CLAS USP cohorts
CLAS Contact
Beyond120
beyond120@clas.ufl.edu