Research student giving a poster presentation at an event

Undergraduate Fellowships

Each summer, Yale undergraduate students collaborate with renowned Wu Tsai Faculty Members on interdisciplinary research questions that advance our understanding of the brain and cognition. These Wu Tsai Undergraduate Fellows come from all backgrounds and levels of familiarity with research. They work under the mentorship of faculty, postdocs, and graduate students from departments across biology, psychology, computer science, and related disciplines.

  • Apply

  • Eligibility

  • Submission

2024-25 Application

Status: CLOSED

December 7, 2024
Application open

February 23, 2025 at 3 PM
Application deadline

March 2025
Notifications sent

May 27, 2025
Program start date

August 1, 2025
Program end date

If you have questions about Wu Tsai Undergraduate Fellowships, you can schedule a time to meet with the Program Manager, Liz Knapp, or email us with inquiries.

Wu Tsai Institute wordmark displayed on the corner of a scientific poster Wu Tsai Institute Undergraduate Summer Scholar giving a poster presentation at Yale Science Building

Fellows participate in workshops, seminars, and social events. At the end of the program, they present their work at a closing symposium. Fellows receive a competitive stipend.

Past research areas include:

  • Effects of early-life experience on brain circuitry

  • Visual pattern preferences across species

  • Neural algorithms for brain-computer interfaces

  • Development of inhibitory synapses in cortical neurons

  • White matter in a novel brain atlas

Eligibility + Submission

  • Be a Yale first-year, sophomore, junior, or non-graduating senior. 
  • Have a stated interest in interdisciplinary research of relevance to cognition or in neuro-related computing or engineering. 
  • Contribute to diversity and inclusion through identity, life experiences, work, or research.
  • Commit to the full dates of the program, or if there is an academic conflict with the start or end dates of the program, we can only grant 1-week exceptions. 
  • Non-declared students and students from any major are welcome to apply. 
  • And meet the eligibility requirements by the program's start.

Applications consist of a CV, a statement of purpose, a diversity and inclusion statement, and a letter of recommendation. Applicants identify up to three Wu Tsai Faculty Members they would be interested in working with, and list these faculty in order of preference. 

Students who do not yet have a mentor are encouraged to contact potential mentors in advance to discuss summer research opportunities. Students who have already pre-identified and secured a Wu Tsai Faculty Member can also apply. 

If you need help reaching out to potential mentors, you may use our email template as inspiration to contact prospective faculty whose research you are interested in.