UCR Program for Undergraduate Students at Santa Fe Institute in the United States | Fully Funded

UCR Program for Undergraduate Students at the Santa Fe Institute in the United States (Fully Funded) – Comprehensive 2026 Guide

The Undergraduate Complexity Research (UCR) Program at the Santa Fe Institute (SFI) is one of the most competitive and intellectually stimulating research opportunities available to undergraduate students in the United States and beyond. Designed as a ten-week immersive residential program, it offers students the chance to explore the cutting-edge world of complex systems science, work closely with leading researchers, and develop an original research project grounded in real scientific inquiry.

This fully funded program brings together curious, driven, and interdisciplinary thinkers from a wide range of academic backgrounds—biology, physics, social sciences, economics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, and environmental studies—to understand how complex systems behave, adapt, and evolve. Through theory, data-driven analysis, computational modeling, and seminars led by world-class scientists, students gain a deep understanding of how to analyze dynamic systems across natural, social, and technological domains.

This article provides a complete overview of the 2026 program: goals, eligibility, benefits, research environment, housing, meals, application materials, deadlines, and the official link.

---

Program Overview

The UCR Program is a full-time, residential research experience in complexity science that spans ten weeks. Each participant is paired with an SFI researcher, with whom they design a unique research project during the first weeks of the program. Students then work intensively on this project, supported by a vibrant scientific community offering mentorship, discussions, workshops, and professional development sessions.

The program emphasizes:

• Independent research and creative scientific thinking

• Collaboration with leading experts

• Exposure to interdisciplinary scientific methods

• Participation in seminars and scientific discussions

• Building strong scientific communication skills

• Integration into the Santa Fe Institute research network

Unlike traditional laboratory internships, the UCR Program encourages open-ended exploration, modeling, and theoretical innovation—key elements of complexity science.

---

Program Duration

• Start Date: May 31, 2026

• End Date: August 8, 2026

• Application Deadline: January 14, 2026 (23:59 MST, UTC–7)

All selected participants must attend the entire duration of the program without exceptions. Late arrivals and early departures are not permitted.

---

Funding & Financial Support (Fully Funded)

All accepted students receive comprehensive financial support covering every major expense during the program.

1. Stipend – 7,000 USD

Participants receive a $7,000 stipend for the full ten weeks. This stipend is intended to cover personal expenses and support full-time research commitment.

2. Free Housing Provided

All students are offered comfortable, single-occupancy housing that includes:

• A private bedroom

• A private bathroom

Students live at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe—an inspiring environment featuring desert landscapes, walking trails, art installations, and peaceful study areas.

3. Free Meals

Meals are provided at:

• IAIA dining facilities

• The Santa Fe Institute campus

Dietary restrictions (vegan, halal, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.) are accommodated upon request.

4. Travel Support

Participants also receive:

• Full travel funding to and from Santa Fe, New Mexico

• Mileage reimbursement for those who travel by personal car

• Daily transportation from housing to campus during workdays

Important notes:

• Fuel costs and personal travel expenses are not reimbursed

• Travel funding does not include meals

• Personal transportation within the city is not provided

5. Additional Financial Support

The program is funded through:

• U.S. National Science Foundation – NSF BIO REU (Grant #2349052)

• Darla Moore Foundation

• McKinnon Family Foundation

• Bengier Foundation

• Eugene & Jean Stark

This ensures the program is fully accessible to all accepted students regardless of financial background.

---

Housing Environment

Students live in single rooms at IAIA, providing:

• Privacy

• Comfort

• A balanced environment between community interaction and quiet personal time

The campus is known for:

• Its serene desert surroundings

• Walkable nature trails

• Artistic and cultural installations

• A safe, student-friendly atmosphere

The housing arrangement is designed to help students stay focused on their research while enjoying a supportive, welcoming community.

---

Transportation Provided

The program includes:

• Daily group transportation between IAIA housing and the Santa Fe Institute

• Limited reimbursement for students who bring personal vehicles

However:

• No personal city transportation is provided

• Fuel costs are not covered

---

Meals & Dietary Needs

Meals are available at both SFI and IAIA dining facilities. Participants are encouraged to communicate dietary needs before arrival. The program supports most dietary categories including:

• Vegetarian / Vegan

• Halal

• Kosher (limited availability)

• Gluten-free

• Allergy-sensitive diets

---

Program Objectives

The UCR Program aims to give students a complete research immersion with objectives that include:

1. Conducting Independent Research

Participants design, develop, and complete an original research project. The work may include:

• Building computational models

• Performing simulations

• Analyzing real-world data

• Developing theoretical frameworks

• Presenting results to the scientific community

2. Building Skills in Complexity Science

Students learn to:

• Model biological, social, economic, and ecological systems

• Conduct computational experiments

• Apply modern statistical and quantitative analysis

• Choose appropriate abstraction levels in modeling

• Connect theoretical ideas to real-world systems

3. Joining a Global Research Community

The program connects students to:

• Leading scientists at SFI

• Visiting scholars

• Early-career researchers

• Alumni from previous UCR cohorts

The goal is to build a lasting network of mentors and peers.

4. Developing Professional Scientific Skills

Students gain competencies in:

• Scientific writing

• Oral presentation

• Research ethics

• Logical reasoning

• Interdisciplinary collaboration

---

Target Participants

The program welcomes undergraduate students from diverse fields including:

• Natural sciences

• Physical sciences

• Social sciences

• Mathematics

• Engineering

• Computer science

• Economics

• Ecology and environmental studies

• Data science

Quantitative or programming experience is an advantage but not required.

The UCR Program values inclusivity and encourages participation from:

• Students with limited access to research opportunities

• Students from community colleges

• Underrepresented groups in science

• International students

---

Before Applying: What the Program Looks For

Successful applicants typically demonstrate:

• Curiosity and scientific passion

• Ability to work independently

• Strong problem-solving skills

• Willingness to think creatively and critically

• Interest in interdisciplinary research

• Teamwork and communication skills

Applicants are encouraged to review all program information before submitting questions.

Students who must take an exam during the first week may request special accommodation.

---

Eligibility Requirements

✔ Eligible Applicants:

• Currently enrolled undergraduate students (full-time or part-time)

• Students from 2-year or 4-year institutions

• Transfer students

• Students in Bachelor/Master combined programs if still in the undergraduate portion

• Students who will remain enrolled for at least one academic term after August 2026

 Not Eligible:

• Students graduating before August 2026

• High school graduates not yet enrolled in university

• Individuals who already earned a bachelor’s degree

• Students who completed the undergraduate portion of a combined program

• Students who are not authorized to work in the United States

---

International Applicants

All nationalities are welcome.

International students in the U.S.:

They may participate through CPT depending on their F-1 visa regulations.

Students outside the U.S.:

They may be eligible for:

• Limited visa support

• Travel assistance

• Required documentation support

The program does not require U.S. citizenship.

---

Application Requirements

All applications must be submitted through the official online portal only.

A complete application includes:

1. CV or Résumé

Should highlight:

• Academic experience

• Coursework

• Technical skills

• Programming languages

• Research or project experience (if any)

2. Research Statement with Three Research Ideas

This is one of the most important parts of the application.

Each idea must include:

• A clear scientific question

• A proposed approach or methodology

• Rationale behind the approach

• Why the question is important

Prior research experience is not required. The committee focuses on clarity of thinking and intellectual curiosity.

3. One Recommendation Letter

Must be written by:

• A professor

• Academic advisor

• Research supervisor

4. Unofficial Transcript

Requirements:

• Unofficial transcripts are accepted

• If not in English, only a cover-page translation is needed

• Updated transcripts are not accepted after the deadline

5. Personal and academic information submitted within the portal

---

Application Process & Timeline

• Submit your application before January 14, 2026

• Finalists will be invited for a short Zoom interview

• All final results are released in March 2026

• Recommendation letters should be requested early

• No late submissions or additional documents are accepted