The University Scholars Program introduces undergraduate students to the exciting world of academic research.
In the program, students work one-on-one with UF faculty on selected research projects. Through this initiative, students will take away an understanding of and appreciation for the scholarly method.
University of Florida undergraduate students from any college who wish to conduct research with a faculty member in the College of Pharmacy are eligible to apply to the University Scholars Program. Applicants must have maintained an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, and have at least one more year of undergraduate studies remaining. Students should contact a faculty member with whom they would like to conduct research and then complete the University Scholars Program application form that is available below.
All applications must include the following items:
- Completed USP application form
- Summary of proposed research project
- Supporting letter from the faculty mentor
Application Deadline
Submit your completed application packet to PharmSciResearch@cop.ufl.edu by February 1, 2023.
Eligibility and Nominations
Each department in the College of Pharmacy is eligible to nominate qualified undergraduate students. Undergraduate students must be in their last two years of their academic program and have maintained an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. Participants in the program may not graduate before spring 2024. Once selected, students will conduct the majority of their research during the summer of 2023 and continue their work during the following academic year by taking research-oriented courses in the college for credit. The faculty mentor will contact the Office of Graduate Education to register students in up to two credits of research hours per semester.
Selection Process
Selection of the University Scholars within the College of Pharmacy will be made through the Graduate Education Committee in the College of Pharmacy. Students will be notified of their selection in March, along with the faculty mentors and department chairs.
Once the student is selected, they are required to attend a mandatory orientation offered by USP on March 23 at 7 p.m. and the Undergraduate Research Symposium on April 6.
Selected students will receive $1750 stipend for the supervised research, disbursed in two payments (Sept. and May). The faculty mentor who hosts a student will receive $500 in support of the research project. The funds can be used for the purchase of necessary reagents or supplies. The funds can also be used to offset travel costs should the student present the work at a scientific/medical conference.
Program Requirements
Orientation
Each University Scholar is required to attend one of four possible orientations. The dates and times of these orientations will be made available on the University Scholars Program website.
Presentation Requirement
College of Pharmacy University Scholars are expected to present their research projects at both the college and university level.
- Scholars will be expected to present their research results at the College of Pharmacy’s Annual Research Showcase held in February. Undergraduate students participating in research throughout the College of Pharmacy will compete in the poster presentations category.
- Scholars are required to present their research poster at the University of Florida Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium. Directions will be sent on how to submit an abstract and the required format before the deadline. All abstracts and posters must be approved by the faculty mentor before submission.
Paper Requirement
University Scholars performing research within the College of Pharmacy are also required to prepare and submit their final research paper to the university’s online Journal of Undergraduate Research. Scholars should reference the JUR website for guidelines, deadlines, and formatting requirements. No late submissions will be accepted.
The College of Pharmacy also encourages scholars to submit their work, if deemed appropriate and worthy by the faculty advisor, to other established scientific journals related to the research.
Questions?
Any questions about the application process should be directed to PharmSciResearch@cop.ufl.edu. Further information about the University Scholars Program can be explored on the program’s website.
