Submit your application by March 15 for Fall/Summer Semesters and Oct. 15 for Spring Semesters.
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The College of Public Health’s undergraduate research program fosters student curiosity and development through mentored, self-directed work. This program offers students extensive opportunities to conduct original research on meaningful public health issues as they work with faculty mentors. Research opportunities include assisting with literature reviews, administering surveys and interviews, analyzing data, presenting at conferences, and preparing manuscripts for publication.
Many students begin research with CPH 395, Undergraduate Independent Studies in Public Health. In this course, students work one-on-one with a faculty member on a research project. Students also have the opportunity to complete funded semester and summer research fellowships.
CPH students who have engaged in undergraduate research while pursuing a Bachelor of Public Health degree often report that their experience with research helped shape their career and improved their preparation for graduate school.
Students should partake in undergraduate research fellowships or any other research opportunity because it is extremely enriching to your academic career. You're not just learning how to perform research. You're learning so many other skills as well, such as writing, creative thinking, problem solving and working with a team. All of those skills can be applied to a multitude of careers, a multitude of interests, and that is really pivotal. I think research is a great experience to learn something new, try on a different hat and gain a lot of new skills.
Each semester, students have the opportunity to apply for CPH 395, Undergraduate Independent Studies in Public Health, for the following semester. Applications for the Fall and Summer Semesters are due March 15. Applications for the Spring Semester are due Oct. 15.
Undergraduate students in the College of Public Health have several opportunities for research funding each year. Funding is limited, and students who have already been involved in undergraduate research are encouraged to apply. The spring application will open soon.
Summer Research Fellowships allow students to work on projects over the summer.
Semester Research Fellowships fund students to work on a project outside of CPH 395.
Travel Fellowships provide funding for students to present their research at off-campus conferences or travel to work on a project.
Research is a lot of hard work, but you definitely learn so much about a topic, whether it's child welfare, which I did, or just anything in general. You learn a lot about a topic and how impactful it is within the community. ...I was unsure initially within my research, but once I really put myself into the research and actually contributed, it definitely was a fun experience. Definitely try it out. Definitely come with open mind. Definitely, of course, put in the work. And undergraduate research is, like UK, wildly possible.
Student research responsibilities vary by project but may include assistance with literature reviews, survey administration and interviews, analysis of existing data sets, analysis of interview transcripts, conference presentation and preparation, and manuscript preparation.
For each credit hour, you spend about three hours per week on your CPH 395 project. This means for a three-credit hour class, you commit to nine hours a week. You may enroll in one to three credit hours per semester and earn up to six credits. Credit hours count as a BPH elective.
All BPH students with 60 hours of completed coursework may apply for this opportunity. However, CPH 395 is selective. In general, students must have a high GPA in order to participate. Submitting an application does not guarantee placement.
Students are matched to faculty members based on research interests and skills. You will identify your research interests and skills in the application, and then your materials are sent to a potential faculty member. This faculty member then reaches out to you to talk about the research they are working on and how you can contribute. If you want to work with a particular faculty member, you should talk to that faculty member. If they are interested in working with you, you can indicate that as part of the application process.
Using the link at the top of this page, you can apply for CPH 395. The CPH 395 application requires students to submit an unofficial transcript, an academic writing sample, and a resume.
Questions? Please email Dr. Sarah Vos (sarah.vos@uky.edu), the director of Undergraduate Research.
Travel Fellowships are available on a rolling basis to any student who needs to travel to present or conduct research. To apply for the Travel Fellowship, please email Dr. Sarah Vos (sarah.vos@uky.edu). The email should state the reason for the travel and provide documentation (e.g., acceptance email to present at a conference).
To apply for the College of Public Health Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program, students need to:
Identify a research project that you want to work on.
Find a faculty mentor (in Public Health or another college) who can help you with this project. As part of the application, your mentor will submit a letter of recommendation.
Write a proposal (approximately 1-page) that describes the work you will complete. This proposal should clearly describe the purpose of the project, the data to be collected/analyzed, and the methods that will be used to analyze the data. In addition, the proposal should discuss the steps you have taken related to this research and describe your role in developing the research project.
Revise your resume so that it highlights your relevant research or public health experiences.
Apply for the fellowship using this link. Applications for the Spring Semester are due Nov. 1. Applications for the Summer and Fall Semesters are due April 1.
After you submit your application, we will ask your mentor for a letter of recommendation. This letter should evaluate your ability to complete the proposed project and the quality of your work to-date.
