Research Experience for Undergraduates

Program Description

Perform research in cutting-edge labs at the forefront of human regenerative engineering, medicine, and biology

The University of Washington (UW) Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM) and partnering departments (e.g., Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Orthopedics) sponsor a 10-week summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Seattle, WA. The program provides undergraduate students with opportunities to work on research projects with leading scientists. The program also offers workshop training sessions in communications, scientific presentation skills, and ethics; as well as professional development lunch & learn. The program also offers workshop training sessions in communications, scientific presentation skills, and ethics, and includes a professional lunch & learn.

This opportunity is open to all eligible persons (regardless of race, sex or other identity) who are committed to ensuring the fields of regenerative medicine, biology, and engineering are represented by a broad spectrum of perspectives, worldviews, and lived experiences.

Read more about the ISCRM REU program here.

I finally learned what it was like to be a scientist and it made me realize that graduate school is an option for me.

Requirements

• Participate in the full 10-week REU program (June 15, 2026 to August 21, 2026).
  
• Be at least 18 years old, enrolled in a U.S. institution and have not graduated by the first day of the REU program. We expect that competitive applicants will have had some college-level science coursework.
• Devote 40 hours per week to the program.
• Not enroll in classes or hold other jobs during the day. Participants will be paid a stipend and will not receive academic credit for the research experience.
• Attend required weekly communications classes, lectures, seminars, focus groups, and workshops.

• Involvement in an interdisciplinary research project with a team where researchers are working together to solve a common science problem.
• Access to lectures on ethics, communications, laboratory safety, and other select topics.
• The opportunity to participate in an end-of-summer research symposium, at which undergraduate researchers give a poster presentation describing their work and results to the research community.
• A stipend of $6,000.
• Reimbursement of travel expenses to a maximum of $750.
• Housing on the University of Washington (Seattle) campus (at no cost to the REU student).

Calendar

• January 16, 2026: Application deadline
• February 20, 2026: Acceptance decision
• March 6, 2026: Acceptance deadline
• May 8, 2026: Travel arrangements should be completed
• June 15, 2026: First day of program (*June 15-19 is virtual*)
• August 20, 2026: ISCRM Summer Undergraduate Symposium
• August 21, 2026: Last day of program

Apply

1. Submit a single PDF containing the completed ISCRM Application form, CV/resume, transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) and personal statement to Leena Pranikay (pranikay@uw.edu) with the subject line “ISCRM REU Application”

Access the ISCRM REU Application form HERE. Deadline is January 16, 2026 11:59pm PST.

2. Identify two referees who can evaluate your ability to participate in the program and ask them to submit letters of references via email directly to Leena Pranikay (pranikay@uw.edu) by January 16.
3. Please direct any questions to Leena Pranikay (pranikay@uw.edu).

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and accommodation in its services, programs, and activities. To make a request connected to a disability or health condition contact Leena Pranikay (pranikay@uw.edu).

About ISCRM

Founded in 2006, the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine is the largest interdisciplinary research institute at the University of Washington. For more than a decade, ISCRM researchers in more than 130 labs have been harnessing stem cells as instruments of discovery and treatment, learning from the human body’s natural capacity to repair itself, and pioneering new technologies to solve the biggest challenges in medicine, safely and effectively.

Learn more about ISCRM here.