Iowa State University’s Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) Program encourages outstanding juniors and seniors to pursue graduate study by offering them hands-on experience in a formal research environment.

The URA Program benefits students and faculty alike by providing them with an opportunity to make career decisions and to work with other talented individuals in a research environment similar to graduate research and fellowships.

The research roles assigned to the students promote the development of technical and manipulative skills, as well as foster originality, imagination, judgment, and patience — all characteristics of an independent scholar.

Requirements for the 2023-2024 URA Program

To qualify for the Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program, students must:

  • Be classified as juniors or seniors by the beginning of fall semester
  • Maintain an ISU cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25
  • File the 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Be eligible for Work-Study funding (must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen)
  • Complete the URA application

Pay rate

First Year Students

  • First year students may earn a maximum of $4,300 for the nine-month academic period
  • 40% of the wages are paid by the faculty sponsor
  • 60% of the wages are paid by the College Work-Study (CWS) program
  • The pay rate for first year URA students is a minimum of $12.00 per hour

Renewal Students

  • Renewal students continuing work with the same faculty member may earn a maximum of $5,000 for the nine month academic period
  • 40% of the wages are paid by the faculty sponsor
  • 60% of the wages are paid by the College Work-Study (CWS) program
  • The pay rate for renewal URA students is a minimum of $14.00 per hour

Deadlines

Questions?

For 2022-2023 information and forms, contact:
Julie Arnold
Phone: 515-294-0103
Email: jaarnol@iastate.edu