ENS Undergraduate Research

The University of Kentucky offers competitive summer research opportunities for undergraduate students interested in advancing sustainability-focused scholarship and community impact.

The Sustainability Summer Research Fellowships and Summer Intercollegiate Sustainability Research Experiences support students as they spend the summer working on research projects under the guidance of faculty, scientists or research teams. These fellowships are designed to strengthen students’ academic growth while contributing to sustainability initiatives at UK and beyond with sustainability understood as the intersection of social, economic, and environmental justice. Sponsored by the Student Sustainability Council, UK Sustainability, and campus partners, these programs provide support for students pursuing hands-on research that addresses real-world sustainability challenges.

For help getting involved with research, please click here for more information.

Sustainability Summer Research Fellowships

Sustainability Summer Research Fellowships ($2,500 stipend) are funded by the Environmental Stewardship Fee and seek to promote projects that will make a significant contribution to the student’s academic growth while concomitantly contributing to sustainability focused research initiatives at UK and within the community at large. Where appropriate, we are also seeking projects that will make a scholarly contribution in their discipline. Sustainability here is defined as the intersection of social, economic and environmental justice. Sponsored by the Student Sustainability Council and UK Sustainability.

Summer Intercollegiate Sustainability Research Experiences 

Intercollegiate Sustainability Research Experiences ($4,500 + $500 travel stipend) are competitive summer research fellowships designed for undergraduate students. Participants will spend 8-10 weeks working under the mentorship of a scientist or team in a sustainability focused research environment. Sustainability here is defined as the intersection of social, economic and environmental justice. The program is sponsored by the Student Sustainability Council, UK Sustainability and The Food Connection.