The Letters & Science Summer of Excellence in Research (LASER) Program has selected 32 exceptional and highly motivated LASER Scholars for the 2026 cohort. These students, all eager to begin their research journeys, have demonstrated a remarkable capacity for solving real-world problems.
To ensure every scholar has a placement, our goal is to secure 35 summer research project proposals by mid-February. While we have seen great interest from several academic disciplines and interdisciplinary centers, we are currently at 16 submissions, just under half of what we need to support these students.
How You Can Help: We are asking for your influence and advocacy to help us close this gap. Specifically, we would appreciate it if you could:
-Encourage faculty and researchers from your departments to submit a brief summer project proposal suitable for first-year undergraduates.
-Share this opportunity at upcoming departmental meetings or research center gatherings. We are happy to attend and provide a brief overview.
-Recommend specific researchers or faculty members we should contact directly. Contact L&S STEM Scholars at ls-stem@ls.wisc.edu
Thank you for your continued partnership in fostering the next generation of L&S researchers. Your support is instrumental in providing these students with the mentorship they need to thrive.