Overview
The Mary Gates Research Scholarship supports undergraduates at the University of Washington who are conducting research under faculty mentorship. It's a one-time award rather than a renewable full-ride scholarship, intended to help students dedicate more time to a specific research project instead of covering broad tuition costs.
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled UW undergraduates with an identified faculty mentor and an active or planned research project; the program has historically been open to students regardless of citizenship, provided they meet UW's general enrollment requirements, though eligibility details can shift year to year.
How to Apply
Applications typically require a research proposal or project description, a letter of support from the faculty mentor, and a short personal statement about how the award will support the work. Awards are made through UW's Undergraduate Research Program, which also runs review cycles at set points in the academic year.
Tips
- Secure a faculty mentor and a concrete research plan well before the application window opens — this is usually the longest part of the process.
- Read the current cycle's guidelines directly from UW's Undergraduate Research Program, since scope and amounts can change.
- Use this award to support a specific research phase (e.g., a summer of data collection) rather than as a general tuition scholarship.
Always confirm current deadlines, award amounts, and eligibility directly on the official program or university website (urp.uw.edu) before applying — these details change from year to year.