William Lee Science Impact Program (Lee SIP)

William Lee SIP Scholars are mentored directly by research faculty, work within a research team, and participate in professional development workshops.

Overview

The William Lee Science Impact Program (Lee SIP) is a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) designed to expand and broaden participation in research. The program provides students with opportunities to explore novel and engaging scientific questions by matching them, where possible, with faculty members whose research interests align with their own.

The goal of LeeSIP is to create opportunities for undergraduate students to engage directly in cutting-edge research taking place at UMass Amherst. LeeSIP Scholars receive direct mentorship from research faculty, work as members of research teams, and participate in professional development workshops that prepare them for a wide range of science-related careers. Through these experiences, students develop skills in applying scientific methods, designing research proposals, analyzing scientific data, drawing conclusions, and communicating findings effectively to both expert and general audiences.

Fellowship Details

LeeSIP offers a highly competitive fellowship to selected applicants. The program begins with a paid 10-week summer research internship, followed by continued research in the assigned faculty member’s laboratory in the upcoming academic year.

During the 10-week summer internship, fellows receive:

• $5,000 stipend, paid in three tranches
• $300 in dining hall swipes
• Free on-campus housing
• Summer RECWELL membership
• Weekly professional development workshops
• Network building social hours

2027 Program Dates: Sunday, June 6, through Sunday, August 8, 2027.

Application Period: [OPEN] Monday, December 14, 2026, through [CLOSE] Friday, January 15, 2027.

Accepted eligible LeeSIP scholars may also apply to the Dr. Tracie Moniece Gibson Scholar Program.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a UMass Amherst undergraduate student whose primary major is in a department in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS).
• Be enrolled at UMass Amherst during the academic year preceding the application.
• Meet the program’s academic expectations. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred.
• Transfer students are eligible to apply.

No previous research experience is required.

Note: Graduating seniors, post-baccalaureate students, and alumni are generally not eligible for LeeSIP funding. Please see the FAQ for information about possible exceptions for graduating seniors.

Program Components

1. Summer Research Experience

LeeSIP Scholars apply the knowledge and skills gained through their foundational coursework while working in a faculty member’s research laboratory. Scholars participate in innovative research projects that investigate important questions in their respective fields.

During the summer, participants engage in research full-time, approximately 40 hours per week.

2. Professional Development and Skills Building

LeeSIP Scholars participate in weekly professional development workshops designed to support their academic, personal, and professional growth.

Workshop topics include scientific communication, research skills, career exploration, graduate school preparation, and other skills that help scholars navigate their academic and professional pathways.

3. UMass Undergraduate Research Symposium

All LeeSIP Scholars participate in a summer research symposium at UMass Amherst, where they share their research experiences and findings.

Scholars are also strongly encouraged to remain active in the scientific community by continuing their research and presenting their findings at regional and national scientific conferences.

4. Academic-Year Research Commitment

LeeSIP Scholars are expected to continue working in their assigned faculty member’s laboratory for at least two semesters following the summer program.

Scholars who study abroad during the Spring 2027 semester are required to continue their laboratory research for one semester.

Application Instructions

Applications open Monday, December 14, 2026, and close Friday, January 15, 2027.

Students must complete the online application using the appropriate link for their academic program.

Applicants must also arrange for a recommendation letter from a UMass Amherst faculty member or staff advisor to be submitted on their behalf. Transfer students may request a recommendation from a faculty member at their previous institution.

Important: It is imperative that you use your full legal names when completing your application. Your recommender must also label the recommendation using your full legal names. Nicknames, aliases, and additional names must not be substituted for your legal first name. (For example, if your legal first name is Christina, do not enter Chrissy, Kris, Chris-Ann, or Maddy.)

Application & Recommendation Upload Links

If your primary major is in one of the following programs, please upload your APPLICATION and  LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION.

• Animal Science
• Astronomy
• Building and Construction Technology
• ECO
• EGCS
• Mathematics
• Stockbridge School of Agriculture

If your primary major is in one of the following programs, please upload your APPLICATION and LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION.

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry/Polymer Science
• Environmental Science
• Food Science
• Microbiology
• Neuroscience
• Physics
• Psychology

Recommendation Letter Submission

For applicants in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry/Polymer Science, Environmental Science, Food Science, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Physics, and Psychology, recommendation letters must be uploaded through the designated recommendation submission link using the student’s full legal first name.

Recommenders must label and save each recommendation using the student’s full legal first name. Do not use nicknames, aliases, or additional names. For example, a student whose legal first name is Christina must have a recommendation saved under Christina, not Chrissy, Chris, Kris, Khris, Christina Ann, Chris-Ann, or Maddy.

Recommenders will submit their letters directly to the designated submission system based on the student’s program. See above.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is the application deadline?
Applications CLOSE Friday, January 15, 2027. The final deadline to receive recommendation letters is Friday, February 12, 2027. Applications will not be considered complete until the required recommendation letter has been received.

What qualifies as research experience?
Students will not be penalized for completing required laboratory courses as part of their academic curriculum. Research experience includes participation in internal or external research projects, other Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs, and laboratory-based summer internships.

Should I apply if I am a senior?
LeeSIP aims to provide students with meaningful undergraduate research experiences that help inform their decisions about pursuing careers in science. Students graduating in the spring before or the fall after the summer research experience are ineligible to apply.

When will I hear whether I have been accepted?
Department/Program reviews should be completed by early March. BASE will then finalize lab placements and notify by the end of March. 

I applied previously but was not shortlisted. Can I apply again?
Yes. Students who applied previously but were not shortlisted are welcome to apply again.

Where will I be housed?
Students will be housed on campus in North Apartments*, alongside participants in other REU programs. These fully furnished, four-person apartments feature individual bedrooms and a kitchen with appliances. Bed linen is provided.

Housing arrangements are subject to change.

Is there flexibility in the program's start and end dates?
LeeSIP is a 10-week program that includes several structured activities in addition to the research component. Each component is essential to the program’s overall objectives, and so successful applicants are expected to participate fully throughout the program.

What are the expected work hours?
Scholars are expected to work approximately 40 hours per week. Schedules may vary depending on the research project. Many projects follow a traditional Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. schedule. However, students participating in intensive field studies or time-sensitive experiments should expect some variation in their schedules throughout the 10-week program.

Should I continue my research after the summer program ends?
Yes. An important objective of LeeSIP is to help students become fully engaged in their research experiences. All scholars are expected to continue their research in their assigned faculty member’s laboratory during the following academic year, in accordance with the program’s academic-year research commitment.

How are recommendation letters submitted?
Recommenders submit their letters directly through the designated submission system. Applicants should ensure that their recommenders are aware of the applicable deadline and naming requirements.