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Empowering Future Engineers Through Research and Philanthropy

Financial support plays a vital role in opening doors for undergraduate students—especially those with demonstrated financial need. Our Undergraduate Engineering Research Scholars Program offers a unique, philanthropic approach to student support by combining scholarships with hands-on research opportunities.

Through this donor-funded program, scholarships are awarded based on merit and need to undergraduates who commit to joining research groups for one year. Students will tackle real-world technological challenges while gaining marketable skills that set them apart.

Why This Program Stands Out

Unlike traditional scholarships, this program provides students with:

  • Faculty and Researcher Networking
    Build connections with faculty and researchers at Texas A&M and beyond.
  • Applied Learning
    Reinforce classroom knowledge through practical application in the lab.
  • Transferrable Skills
    Develop experiences that strengthen résumés and future career prospects.
  • Career Insight
    Gain a deeper understanding of research and development within your discipline.
  • Publication Opportunities
    Contribute as a co-author or lead author on scholarly publications—boosting graduate fellowship and job applications.
  • Technical Communication Skills
    Improve public speaking confidence through diverse communication experiences.

Who Should Apply?

Ideal candidates are sophomores and juniors with strong academic records. Selection considers:

  • Academic performance
  • Leadership and extracurricular involvement
  • Financial need

Participants are matched with faculty mentors who are passionate about student research. Early-career faculty bring fresh ideas and creativity, while senior faculty offer award-winning teaching and mentoring experience.

Program Launch

Thanks to the generous support of the WoodNext Foundation, the program will roll out in three phases over three years:

  • Spring 2026: Student selections in April
  • Fall 2026: First cohort of 15 students begins research