Honors Student Listserv
Coming up in the Honors College
- NOW: Join the UH Policy Debate Team - All students of all majors!
- 09/19: Grand Challenges Forum - Paul Carrese, Ph.D.
- 09/19: Applying to Ph.D. Programs in STEM Webinar w/ Dr. Richard Meisel
- 09/26: Getting Started in Research Webinar
________________________________________________________________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Grand Challenges Forum
The New Grand Challenges Forum encourages students to think critically, discuss openly
and learn unequivocally. The New Grand Challenges Forum offers students, faculty,
staff, alumni and members of the local community a time to hear a wide range of lectures
dedicated to a compelling theme. Fridays from 1-2 p.m. in the Honors College Commons.
Friday, September 19, 2025
Paul Carrese, Ph.D. Founding Director, School of Economic and Civic Thought and Leadership
"Civic Education for Our Constitutional Order"
Friday, October 24, 2025
Robert Proctor, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Connecticut College
"Cicero’s Rhetoric, Political Violence, and the Collapse of the Roman Republic"
Friday, November 7, 2025
Robert Satcher, M.D., Ph.D. Former NASA Astronaut
Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedical Oncology,
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
"Space Exploration, Space Tourism, and the Future of Space Travel"
____________________________________________________________________
Getting Started in Research Webinar
Learn the ins and outs of applying to undergraduate research programs offered by the
Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards in this webinar presented by Livia
Garza and Katie Welsh of OURMA! Registration is required, REGISTER HERE.
Dates:
• September 26, 2025 at 2-3 p.m.
Applying to Ph.D. Programs in STEM Webinar w/ Dr. Richard Meisel
Learn how you can prepare for and apply to graduate programs in the life sciences
and STEM with appication expert Dr. Richard Meisel, associate professor in the Department
of Biology and Biochemistry. Registration is required, REGISTER HERE.
Webinar will take place on September 19, 2025 at 2-3 p.m.
The Houston Undergraduate Law Review - Become a Staff Writer
The Houston Undergraduate Law Review is now accepting applications for Staff Writers
for the 2025-2026 school year! As the University of Houston’s premier undergraduate
law review, the Houston Undergraduate Law Review accepts students of all majors interested
in legal research and discussion to publish in the print and online journal. Writers
will form a strong foundation to launch themselves into competitive research programs,
build an understanding of the academic legal research process, discuss legal developments,
grow technical writing skills, and create connections with professors and peers at
UH and the law center.
Applications are open until September 21, 2025. CLICK HERE TO APPLY. If you have any questions, please email us at hulrsecretary@gmail.com
FirstGenMD - Pre Med Mentorship Program
Entering its third year, FirstGen MD is a student-led mentorship program connecting
undergraduate pre-med students with medical student mentors across Texas.
With 600+ mentees and 200+ mentors already connected, we support students from diverse
and nontraditional backgrounds (including first-generation college or medical students.)
We work with 7 Undergrad schools and 6 medical schools across Texas!
Meet with your mentor once a semester (or more, up to you). Your mentor is equipped to help guide you in your MCAT journey, your medical school application, or guide you throughout your undergraduate career! Deadline to APPLY HERE as a mentee is September 22, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.
The Cypress Literary Journal
The Cypress Review, the literary journal run by the Fusion Literary Review through
the Ogden Honors College at Louisiana State University is looking for submissions.
Interested in submitting your work to The Cypress Review? Check out our Submissions page HERE for more detailed information on submission types, guidelines, and formatting. Pieces are to be submitted through our submissions portal on our website. The current submission deadline is September 28, 2025. For any questions or concerns, please contact us at lsufusionlitreview@gmail.com
Join the UH Policy Debate Team
The Houston Policy Debate Team is now recruiting new members! Join the team and win
arguments the smart way!
No experience needed, and open to all undergraduate students of all majors. Learn
skills that last a lifetime. Whether you're a seasoned speaker or just curious, there's
a place for you here. Learn more at: http://uh.edu/debate If you are ready to apply, CLICK HERE by October 15, 2025.
Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees (PAIR)
Looking to make a meaningful impact in the community? PAIR (Partnership for the Advancement
and Immersion of Refugees) connects volunteers with refugee youth in Houston through
tutoring, mentorship, and service. Volunteer with us this semester — no prior experience needed, just a heart to serve! Learn more by filling out the Volunteer Interest Form
Fly Your Experiment to 10,000 Feet - Space City Rocketry, UH
The Space City Rocketry team at the University of Houston is recruiting new payload
leads for the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) Payload Challenge at the 2026 Intercollegiate
Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC). They are seeking STEM researchers with project
ideas that could benefit from rocket testing. Whether it is a sensor prototype, material
test, biological experiment, or a novel recovery system - if it can fit in 4-5 lbs.
and survive flight, it's a candidate! If you have an experiment idea or want to discuss
possibilities, complete the linked form or send a description of your scientific or
technical objectives to aiaacoogs.uh@gmail.com.
Volunteer for Project Sunshine!
Project Sunshine is a national nonprofit organization aiming to deliver the healing
power of play to children with medical needs. At the University of Houston, our chapter
proudly partners with local hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, such as Texas Children's
and Ronald McDonald House, to facilitate passionate, dedicated, and capable volunteers
and provide meaningful volunteer experiences.
Volunteers will have various opportunities, including Here to Play, a program where volunteers will be given the opportunity to gain in-hospital volunteer experience with the children. The UH chapter will also participate in various different activities such as Kits for Play, where volunteers come together and assemble fun, hands-on activity kits that are later distributed to children in hospitals. More opportunities to come!
Please visit our website at https://uhprojectsunshine.wixsite.com/2025 for more information, and contact us at: uhprojectsunshine@gmail.com
Fall 2025 LAUNCH Services
The Learning Advancements for Undergraduate Cougars of Houston (LAUNCH) office is
offering several back-to-school services during the fall 2025 semester. Located on
the second floor of the Student Service Center 1 building, LAUNCH will offer peer
tutoring beginning the first week of classes, along with peer-assisted study sessions
for select STEM and business courses. LAUNCH also offers academic coaching on subjects
such as time management and test anxiety reduction, with appointments available through
the UH Navigate app. Additionally, LAUNCH is hosting a Math Mania workshop series
and a success series this fall. Visit the LAUNCH website to learn more, and email launch.uh.edu with any questions.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
TRAVEL & SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Interested in teaching English or conducting a research project abroad for a year? Consider applying to the Fulbright US Student Program! Fill out the interest form to schedule an appointment to discuss more.
EIT Graduate Research Projects at the University of Oxford
The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Provides fully-funded doctoral (DPhil/PhD)
study at the University of Oxford, where students directly contribute to progressing
an EIT project. Spanning AI, Generative Biology, Pathogens, Chemical Biology, Economics,
Correlates of Immunity and Plant Biology, these projects tackle global challenges through cutting-edge technology, offering graduate students
the chance to collaborate with world-leading experts to develop innovative solutions. Submission deadline is October 1, 2025 (First Rolling Deadline) Learn more and apply at: https://www.eit.org/scholars/graduate
2026 Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars is a multidisciplinary, multicultural graduate scholarship
program at Stanford University, where each scholar received up to three years of financial
support to pursue graduate studies in any of Stanford's seven schools. Scholars form
a supportive community with one another while engaging in experiences that prepare
them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders who address complex challenges
facing the world. To be eligible for the 2026 application cycle, applicants must be
concurrently or have preemptively applied and be accepted/enrolled in a full-time
Stanford graduate degree program, and have earned a U.S. bachelor's degree or its
equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing in January 2019 or
later. Learn more and apply at: https://knight-hennessy.stanford.edu/ Submission deadline is October 8, 2025 at 3 p.m. CST
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program supports
fellowships for outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time, research-based
masters and doctoral degrees in STEM, including STEM education. Each fellowship provides
three years of support over a five-year period, including a yearly $37,000 stipend
and $16,000 cost of education allowance. The proposal deadline varies by discipline
- please visit the website for additional information. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by October 27-30, 2025 at 5 p.m.
2026 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans provides merit-based funding
for New Americans, immigrants and children of immigrants, who are poised to make significant
contributions to US culture, society, and academia. The fellowship offers recipients
up to $90,000 towards their graduate education over the course of one to two years,
including tuition and a stipend to the Fellow, and entry into the lifelong alumni
community. To apply, applicants must be 30 years old or younger, planning to start
or continue an eligible graduate or professional degree program in the U.S. in the
2026-2027 academic year, and be a New American. LEARN MORE HERE about what qualifies for the New American status. Deadline to apply is October 30, 2025 at 1 p.m. CST
2026 PPIA Fellowship Program
The 2026 PPIA Fellowship offers a fully funded, rigorous graduate school preparation
experience through the Junior Summer Institute. This six-week summer program, hosted
at top graduate policy schools nationwide, equips students with graduate-level preparation,
essential knowledge, skills, and networks to excel in public service careers and advanced
education in public and global affairs. Applicants must demonstrate commitment to
public service, cultural awareness, and uplifting diversity in the field. Undergraduate
juniors with an expected graduation date between December 2026 and August 2027 are
eligible to apply.
LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by November 1, 2025
Princeton in Asia Fellowship
Princeton in Asia fosters mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding between
the United States and Asia through immersive work fellowships in host organizations
and communities. As of now, 60 fellowships in 16 countries and regions are anticipated
for the 2026 cycle. College seniors, recent graduates, and candidates with master's
degrees are encouraged to apply for a 2026 PiA fellowship starting August 27, 2025.
Virtual information session details can be found on the PiA website. Submission Deadline is November 1, 2025
2026-2027 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals Program
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals is a year-long
fellowship funded by the German Bundestag (parliament) and the U.S. Congress. For
over 40 years, the CBYX program has provided participants the opportunity to study
and work in Germany. Participants will live in Germany attending language school,
taking university or trade/technical classes, and completing an internship in their
prospective career field. Applicants for the Young Professionals program must be U.S.
citizens, 18.5 – 24 years old, have a high school diploma, and should have clear career
goals and some relevant work experience in their desired career field. Interested
students will need to request an application to confirm their eligibility. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE Submission deadline is November 1, 2025
The Lafayette Fellowship
Marking the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence and in celebration
of French-American friendship, the Lafayette Fellowship will fund one year of master’s
level study in France for up to 30 outstanding American students. The initiative partners
with 15 of the top French higher education institutions that offer programs across
STEM, humanities and social sciences, and arts disciplines, either in French or entirely
in English. Additionally, fellows will participate in the French-American Leadership
Program, an immersive leadership development experience, and receive a €1,500 monthly
stipend along with coverage of other program-related costs. Applicants must be 27
years old or younger and possess a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.7 GPA. The awarding
of the scholarship is conditional upon admission to one of the partner institutions. LEARN MORE AND APPLLY HERE by November 30, 2025 at 10:59 pm CST
2026 Carnegie Mellon University Rales Fellows Program
The Carnegie Mellon University Rales Fellows Program is dedicated to cultivating the
next generation of STEM leaders and drive innovation by increasing access to a life-changing
graduate education. Over 100 graduate STEM programs at Carnegie Mellon University
are eligible for this program, which supports both master’s and Ph.D. students. Fellows
receive tuition and a stipend for up to two years of their admitted graduate program.
In addition to the financial award, Fellows benefit from personalized career advising,
mentorship, and leadership development. Eligible Applicants must be a U.S. citizen,
permanent resident, or DACA recipient, be pursuing an eligible graduate (master's
or Ph.D.) in a STEM discipline at CMU, and received a Federal Pell Grant or need-based
financial aid as an undergraduate, or are a first-generation college student. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by December 15, 2025 at 10:59 pm CST
2026 FAPSE Journalism Program
The Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FAPSE) Journalism
program is a fully-funded, two-week fellowship program in professional ethics and
ethical leadership that approaches the study of professional ethics by examining the
actions and choices of German and international journalists in covering and enabling
Nazi policies. The program takes place in Germany and Poland at the sites of Nazi
history, allowing Fellows to benefit from the power of the place and immersive, contextual
learning. All program costs are covered, including travel, lodging, and food. Eligible
applicants must possess an undergraduate degree and has experience or plans to work
as a journalist. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by January 4, 2026 at 10:59 pm CST
2026 Boren Awards
The Boren Awards fund the intensive study of language and culture abroad in locations
that are critical to U.S. national security. Undergraduate scholars and graduate fellows
have the option to either apply for a Regional Flagship Language Initiative or self-identify
their own study program. Boren Scholars can receive up to $25,000 and fellows up to
$30,000 in awards. Recipients are eligible for exclusive opportunities and preferential
consideration for federal government jobs. All applicants must be U.S. citizens, 18
years or older at the time of the national application deadline, and remain matriculated
in a degree program at a U.S. post-secondary institution for the duration of their
Boren Awards-funded program. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE Boren Fellowships Submission Deadline: January 21, 2026 or
Boren Scholarships Submission Deadline: January 28, 2026
2026 Truman Scholarship
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation awards merit-based scholarships to college
students who plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service.
Truman Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school, participate
in leadership development activities, and have special opportunities for internships
and employment with the federal government. An eligible applicant must be a full-time
junior-level student at a four-year institution pursuing a bachelor's degree during
the 2025-2026 academic year, in the upper quarter of their class, and a U.S. citizen.
A competitive applicant has an extensive record of public and community service, has
outstanding leadership potential and communication skills, and is committed to a career
in government or elsewhere in public service, as defined by the Foundation. Applications must be submitted as a campus nomination - please contact Dr. Ben Rayder
(btrayder@central.uh.edu) if you are interested in applying for this scholarship. LEARN MORE ABOUT TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP HERE Submission Deadline is February 3, 2026
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Demystifying the Literature Review Webinar
Join Dr. Rikki Bettinger and Livia Garza from the Office of Undergraduate Research
and Major Awards to learn what a literature review is, why it's important for your
research, and tips to get started. Webinar will be held on October 10, 2025 at 11
a.m. - 12 p.m. Registration is required, REGISTER HERE
2026 Baylor College of Medicine SMART Program
The BCM Summer Undergraduate Research Training (SMART) Program provides frontier-level,
biomedical summer research projects for undergraduates in a supportive environment
with supplemental educational activities. Projects will span the spectrum of biomedical
science, including projects in bioengineering and computational biology. This program
will offer a compensation package of approximately $5,400 - either full salary or
a combination of salary and allocation for housing or travel. Eligible applicants
must be continuing students at a U.S. university with a minimum 3.0 GPA. First-year
applicants must have prior research experience. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE. Application opens October 2025.
A Study of Problem Solving
You are invited to take part in a research study led by Drs. Scott Savage and Zelma
Oyarvide Tuthill from the University of Houston’s Sociology Department. Looking for
undergraduate female student volunteers 18 years of age or older who are interested
in coming to a laboratory on campus and interacting with others via computer in an
effort to earn money. The choices people make when interacting will affect their earnings.
The study is very simple and it should cause no discomfort, anxiety, or embarrassment.
Participants who complete the study will receive a minimum of $20, with a chance to
earn up to $10 more based on their performance. To qualify as a participant you must
be an undergraduate, female student with a desire to earn money. All parts of this
study will remain anonymous and no one will be able to identify your responses as
coming from you. If interested, fill out the contact form HERE Contact project director Scott V. Savage svsavage@uh.edu with any questions.
Apply now to the 2026 Energy Scholars Program!
The Energy Scholars Program provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to
work on a year-long energy-related research project under the direction of a UH faculty
mentor. Participants receive a $6,000 scholarship to work on their project part-time
(6-7 hours/week) in the spring and fall semesters and full-time in the summer.
Students of all disciplines are encouraged to apply, but must have a project related to energy or sustainability. Scholarships will be awarded to continuing sophomore-and-up undergraduates with a minimum 3.0 GPA. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by November 3, 2026
Apply now to the Spring 2026 Provosts's Undergraduate Research Scholarship (PURS)
PURS provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to participate in a semester-long
research project under the direction of a UH faculty mentor. Recipients will receive
a $1,000 scholarship to conduct part-time (6-7 hours/week) research with their faculty
mentor and two points toward the Honors in Co-Curricular Engagement transcript designation.
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors of all majors with at least a 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by November 3, 2025
Undergraduate Research Opportunity - Şen Lab, UH Biology and Biochemistry
The Şen Lab has openings for volunteer and paid College Work-Study positions available
and is looking for motivated sophomore and junior undergraduates to explore the molecular
motions of biomolecules using a mix of unconventional and and cutting-edge tools.
Students will have the chance to build a strong foundation in robotics, artificial
intelligence, machine learning, high-performance computing, quantum mechanics, molecular
mechanics, and thermochemistry - while turning your research into a senior thesis
and scientific manuscript. Majors in computer science, physics, electrical and computer
engineering, or mechanical engineering are a great fit, along with students who are
comfortable with Linux OS and excited to learn interdisciplinary approaches to biological
questions. Interested students can email an unofficial transcript and a brief (max.
half-page) statement of purpose describing their motivation and future goals to Dr. Mehmet Şen (msen@uh.edu). Learn more about the Lab here: http://receptor.nsm.uh.edu/
Undergraduate Research Intern Opportunity - UH-Sequencing Core
The UH-Sequencing Core is seeking interns to assist in their research that focuses
on the intersection of cancer genomics and immunology, with a focus on the discovery
of cancer-specific neoantigens arising from gene fusions and other tumor-specific
alterations. Interns joining the team will gain experience in both bioinformatic analysis
and molecular biology techniques, contributing to translational research that advances
our understanding of tumor-immune interactions and informs the development in next-generation
cancer treatments. This position expects 20 hrs/wk. Applicants must major in biology,
biochemistry, or biotechnology. To apply, please send an email of interest to Dr.
Preethi Gunaratne (phgunara@central.uh.edu) that includes research interests and a resume. Learn more about the UH Sequenceing
Core Lab HERE, submission deadline is October 31, 2025.
Undergraduate Researcher - UH Biomedical Engineering Lab Position
KumarLab is a dynamic lab investigating peptide-hydrogel (biomaterial/drug) therapeutics
from design (computational) to in vitro and in vivo studies. The lab is seeking dedicated
and reliable undergraduate research students, including freshmen, sophomores, and
juniors, who are interested in translational research, particularly computational
AI/ML and in silico tools for drug design and pre-clinical animal studies. The students
will be required to learn computational and molecular design software packages, assist
with a range of chemical synthesis and molecular binding to cell culture studies,
or be trained and assist with specific animal surgeries and care of the animals. The
expected workload is 9-12 hrs/wk. Contact Dr. Vivek Kumar (vkumar24@cougarnet.uh.edu) with any questions and to apply. LEARN MORE HERE