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Undergraduate Research Assistantships

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 2025-2026 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 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Be eligible for Work-Study funding
  • 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

  • Soft deadline of March 28, 2025 for Spring interviews. Applications will be accepted after this date, but may have a delay in matching.
  • Completed Letter of Intent signed by all parties
  • Must have selected the Work-Study job profile in Workday (employer only)

Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA) Documents

Questions?

For 2024-25 info & forms, contact:
Julie Arnold
Phone: 515-294-0103
Email: jaarnol@iastate.edu