Summer STEM Catalyst Program
Jump-start your STEM Career
Summer STEM Catalyst Research Program is a 4-week paid immersive summer research program for incoming CeO and NDGNS UW first-year undergraduates. Scholars who will be starting their first-year as an undergraduate in the Fall will have the opportunity to connect with STEM faculty, meet other STEM-focused students, and conduct world-class research on the UW-Madison campus. Application Deadline: April 15Eligibility
- Must be an incoming first-year undergraduate who is committed to attending UW-Madison in the Fall
- Fall will be your first semester at UW-Madison
- Intending to major in a STEM field
- Accepted into the CeO or NDGNS UW program
Curious about STEM Research?
Scholars receive a $2,500 stipend to conduct research before they begin their undergraduate career in the Fall. During this 4-week program, students will have the opportunity to connect with other STEM-focused incoming first-years through research-oriented programming and social activities, interact with nationally and internationally recognized research faculty and staff in the disciplines you plan to major, live in a campus residential hall where you become comfortable with student life on the UW-Madison campus, and obtain first-hand insights into what a career in research looks like.Previous Research Projects
- Harnessing Cutting-Edge DNA-Editing Technologies to Combat Global Hunger. In collaboration with Prof. Hoskins at the Department of Biochemistry
- Exploring Alternatives to Agar Media for Growth and Cultivation of Wood Decay Fungi. In collaboration with Dr. Grant Kirker at the Forest Products Laboratory
- Using Chat-GPT to Summarize and Translate Medical Documentation to Spanish. In collaboration with Dr. Kelly at the Department of Pediatrics
- Preparation of activated carbon from biomass for removal of PFAS from fresh water. In collaboration with Prof. Pan in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering
Summer STEM Catalyst Program
4-week paid summer research program for incoming CeO and NDGNS UW first-year undergraduates. Scholars who will be starting their first-year as an undergraduate in the Fall will have the opportunity to connect with STEM faculty, meet other STEM-focused students, and conduct world-class research on the UW-Madison campus. Before the program begins, scholars will be matched with an ongoing UW-Madison STEM research project that aligns with their interests. Scholars will work side-by-side with mentors in their lab to conduct meaningful research for 4-weeks. At the culmination of the program, scholars will have the opportunity to showcase the research they conducted during the STEM Catalyst Poster Symposium. No previous research is necessary to apply! Scholars will have the opportunity to learn all about conducting research in the weekly seminar course. Scholars will also learn the skills and techniques specific to their project from their research mentors. Additionally, scholars will obtain 1 credit of university coursework, INTEGSCI 260, at no cost for completion of the seminar course.
What to Expect
- Spend 20 – 25 hrs/week for 4-weeks conducting world-class research with a UW-Madison STEM faculty mentor
- Receive a $2,500 stipend to participate in the program
- Housed in campus residential halls with other STEM-focused scholars
- Provided on-campus meals throughout the duration of the program
- Connect daily with research faculty, staff and students in STEM fields
- Engage in a weekly 1-credit seminar designed to give incoming students a jump-start on their first-year as a STEM scholar
- Opportunity to present your research discoveries at the end of the program
- Participate in social events designed to build your network during the evenings and weekends
Example Daily Schedule
- 8:00-8:45 am Breakfast
- 9:00-11:00 am Seminar
- 11:00 am-12:30 pm Lunch
- 12:30-4:30 pm Research
- 4:30-5:30 pm Free time
- 5:30-6:30 pm Dinner
- 6:30-8:00 pm Group study time
- 8:00-10:00 pm Social activities and residential hall time
- 10:30 pm – 7:00 am Quite hours
Application Dates:
- Application opens: Feb. 15
- Application deadline: April 15
- Notifications: April 30
- Matched with a UW-Madison Researcher: June 1
Program Dates (June 20-July 17, 2026):
- June 20: move-in & welcome event
- Weekdays: seminar 3 times/week, conduct research
- Weekends: group social events
- July 17: check-out & research celebration
Opportunity to get a jump start on your STEM career
- Connect with other STEM-focused incoming first-years through research-oriented programming and social activities
- Interact with nationally and internationally recognized research faculty and staff in the disciplines you plan to major
- Live in a campus residential hall where you become comfortable with student life on the UW-Madison campus
- Get first-hand insights into what researchers do and what a career in research looks like
- Opportunity to contribute to world-class research at UW-Madison in the fields of medicine, health, energy, environment…just to name a few!
- Exciting hands-on experience that will start to build your profile as a scientist
Cost
On-campus housing and meals are provided at no cost during the 4-week program. Additionally, each scholar will receive a $2,500 stipend to conduct research, attend research-oriented programming and participate in community building activities.
Eligibility
- Program is intended for incoming UW-Madison first-year undergraduates
- Committed to attending UW-Madison in the Fall
- Fall will be your first semester at UW-Madison
- Intending to major in a STEM field
- Accepted into the CeO or NDGNS UW program
- No previous research experience is expected
Deadline: April 15
Application Dates:
- Application Opens: Feb. 15
- Application Deadline: April 15
- Notifications: April 30
- Matched with a UW-Madison Researcher: June 1
- Program starts: June 20-July 17
Contact
Dr. Cheri Barta | Director of Experiential Learning
- cbarta@wisc.edu
- 608-890-4509
“Prior to participating in the STEM Catalyst Program, I had no idea that undergraduate research was available to me nor did I know how to join a lab. The program has provided me with an opportunity to experience being a part of a lab. I was able to gain knowledge of the scientific world and understand how these research are used to help better the world. I feel I am more curious and ambitious about the research aspect now that I have experienced it.”
-STEM Catalyst
“The STEM Catalyst program truly helped me feel more prepared than ever for my fall semester at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is a program that has helped me get out of my comfort zone, create friendships I hope to have throughout my undergraduate years, and is something that is extremely helpful for individuals who are looking to pursue research. I believe this program will be successful and I hope it continues to grow in terms of the amount of people. I would love to come back as an alumni of STEM Catalyst and I am excited to see what it will look like in years to come!”
-STEM Catalyst
“Participating in the STEM Catalyst program has been transformative for me. Beyond the valuable connections with advisors and fellow students, the hands-on research experience, including learning cell culture and creating scientific posters, has been incredibly rewarding. This program has helped me confirm my passion for my field and provided opportunities to continue research if desired, which is a significant advantage given the usual challenges of finding a lab position. The connections I’ve made with advisors and fellow students have made my transition to college smoother and more fulfilling. This program has given me a sense of belonging and a group of friends who will be there for me throughout my college journey. Additionally, the program’s activities and events have facilitated my familiarization with campus resources, surroundings, and dorm life, making my transition to college smoother and more enjoyable. Supporting the STEM Catalyst program means investing in a community that empowers students to succeed and feel supported in their academic and personal growth.”
-STEM Catalyst