Lincoln Undergraduate Awarded Research Stipend
Microbiology student Sydney Legler joins 171 peers in the university research program.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Scholarships
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University of Nebraska-Lincoln senior Sydney Legler is among 172 students selected to receive a research stipend. The funding supports undergraduate work alongside faculty mentors.
Why it matters
The program aims to integrate undergraduate students into academic research, providing them with hands-on experience under faculty guidance.
Selected participants receive $3,600 stipends for their contributions. Students are required to dedicate 10 hours per week to their research throughout the fall and spring semesters.
The players
Sydney Legler
She is a senior microbiology major from Powell who received a research stipend.
Scott Gardner
He is a faculty mentor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
This is a public research university located in Lincoln, Nebraska, that hosts the UCARE program.
The details
Sydney Legler, a microbiology major from Powell, is conducting her studies under the guidance of faculty mentor Scott Gardner in the School of Biological Sciences. The funding is provided by the Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experience Program, which supports students working directly with faculty members.
Timeline
Fall and spring semesters: Research participation period.
Nov. 4: 2027-28 program applications open.
Feb. 3: 2027-28 program application deadline.
April 6: Student Research Days poster presentation.
Culture Shift
The selection of student fellows for the Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experience Program follows a pattern set by similar nationwide undergraduate research initiatives. By formalizing these partnerships, the university bridges the gap between traditional classroom learning and professional academic discovery.
Students interested in future research funding should note the upcoming November application window. The time commitment requires balancing 10 hours of weekly lab or field work with a standard academic schedule.
The takeaway
Undergraduate research programs offer students a pathway to gain professional experience while still in school. Prospective applicants are encouraged to identify potential faculty mentors well before the spring deadlines to strengthen their project proposals.
What happens next
Participants will present their research findings in poster format during Student Research Days on April 6, while applications for the 2027-28 cycle open on Nov. 4 with a final deadline of Feb. 3.
Further reading
For more information on student funding opportunities, visit the Scholarships section.
More information
View the UCARE program application information for additional details.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Powell Tribune.
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