Research Experience Program - How to Apply
Student Enrichment and Success (SES) have included an overview of the key steps involved in preparing your application for the Summer or Winter Research Program. Please make sure to review the application deadline for the round you are hoping to apply for. The application process is outlined below:
Check Your Eligibility
The Research Experience Programs are open to undergraduate (including honours) and postgraduate coursework students studying at The University of Queensland.
To be eligible to participate and receive a grant you must meet all of the following criteria:
- You are enrolled in an undergraduate, honours, or postgraduate coursework program at UQ at the time of application (internal or external study options apply); and
- You will maintain ongoing enrolment in a program at UQ for the entirety of the Research Experience Program (graduation will affect this, please check the FAQs for clarification); and
- Your area of study is relevant to the research project you apply for; and
- You have a high level of academic achievement during your degree; and
- You have at least 20 unused days of Unpaid Work Experience if applying for the Winter Research Program and 30 unused days of Unpaid Work Experience if applying for the Summer Research Program**.
IMPORTANT: Faculty of Science projects, and other research units may specify additional eligibility requirements, please visit their website to check for further details to ensure you are meeting the relevant criteria.
**Students are permitted to undertake a maximum of 30 days of Unpaid Work Experience per calendar year. Please see the Conditions of Participation for more information.
Proof of Enrolment
Applicants may be asked by the research unit or the Student Enrichment and Success (SES) to provide proof that they will continue as an enrolled student at UQ. If you need to provide this, you can print an enrolment status report via mySI-net. To check when your enrolment status starts/ends, you can also contact the Student Centre.
Find a Project
UQ offers a wide range of research projects to suit many interests and disciplines. These are offered by Research Units that exist across UQ Faculty's, Schools, Institutes and Centres.
If you are interested in a particular project or want to find out more, we strongly encourage you to contact the listed supervisor. This approach also creates an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to the supervisor so they know who you are when applications are received and it will help you to gauge whether the project is suitable for your needs.
To view a list of the participating research units and their projects for the current research program round, click the button below.
Please note that applications for the 2026 Summer program will open in September. Project details are in the process of being updated and currently listed projects may be for the 2025 Winter Research Program.
Collate Your Supporting Documentation
We suggest you collate your supporting documentation so it is ready to upload with your application.
Types of supporting documentation include:
- A copy of your UQ studies report (if you have previously completed a degree with UQ or another university, a copy of your academic transcript would also be useful),
- A personal statement explaining why you wish to be considered for the project,
- A copy of your resume,
- A supporting statement from the UQ supervisor of the project (this may be a copy of any email correspondence you have had regarding your suitability to participate in the research project). This is not essential but some research units expect to see it.
Submit Your Application
You must submit an online application form if you wish to be considered for the program.
All applications must be received before 11.59 pm, Sunday 12 October 2025 for the 2026 Summer Research Program. Once applications close, no late applications will be accepted. Application periods can be found on the research experience home page.
The link to the online application form will appear here when applications open on the 22 September 2025.
Accepting Your Offer and Beyond
Accepting Your Offer
All research projects are awarded competitively using the following criteria:
- student eligibility;
- the academic merit of the applicant;
- the availability of projects and supervisors;
- reasons provided for wanting to participate in the program;
- suitability of applicant's skills and attributes to meet project requirements; and
- available funding.
The decision-making process lies within each research unit and all applicants will receive an email from the research unit informing them of their application outcome.
If you are successful, you must formally accept or decline your offer to participate in the program via the short-form in StudentHub. This must be done within two weeks of the date of the letter. At this stage, you will be asked to provide your banking and postal address information, as well as a signed UQ Unpaid Work Experience form.
Grant
A grant of $2,000 will be available to successful applicants of the Winter Research Program.
A grant of $3,000 will be available to successful applicants of the Summer Research Program.
Please read the Conditions of Participation thoroughly as they contain important information about your engagement in the program and scholarship.
Welcome Event and Skills Workshops
Considering this might be your first research experience, you will be encouraged to attend a Welcome Event to receive important information about the program. Throughout the program, a suite of skills training workshops will also become available to help you develop new knowledge and capabilities to complement your research experience.
Research Showcase and Program Evaluation
Student Enrichment and Success (SES) will host a Research Experience Showcase in February each year to provide students with an opportunity to present the research they have completed during the Winter and Summer Programs.
In an effort to gather feedback and recommendations for enhancing the program, students will also be sent an evaluation survey.