Hilldale Research Fellowship 2026: Get $4,000 Student Stipend at UW–Madison (Apply by Feb 15)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison) has announced the timeline for the Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship 2026. This is one of the university's premier funding opportunities, designed to support undergraduates who want to undertake independent research projects.

Selected student researchers will receive a $4,000 stipend, while their faculty advisors receive an additional $1,000 to cover research costs. With approximately 100 awards available each year, this is a major opportunity for Juniors and Seniors to get paid for their academic curiosity. The application window opens in December, with a strict deadline of February 15, 2026.

Fellowship Overview & Key Details

Specialized Funding Tracks

While the general fellowship covers all disciplines, there are additional sponsored spots for specific fields:

• Electrical & Computer Engineering: One additional fellowship sponsored by the J & H Wang Family Fund.
• Vision-Based Research: Up to four awards sponsored by the McPherson Eye Research Institute (includes bioengineering, imaging, and cognitive psychology related to vision).
• Arboretum Research: One award for projects relevant to the UW-Arboretum mission (ecology, botany, wildlife, soil science) conducted on Arboretum property.

Eligibility Criteria

This fellowship is competitive. To apply, you must meet the following requirements:

• Academic Standing: You must have at least Junior standing at the time of application.
• Graduation Date: You must plan to graduate after May of the application year (i.e., you cannot be graduating in Spring 2026).
• GPA: While there is no strict minimum, projects proposed by students with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or lower are typically less competitive.
• Mentorship: You must plan a collaborative research project with a UW–Madison faculty or staff member. (Note: Graduate students cannot serve as primary advisors).

Application Requirements (The Proposal)

The core of your application is a Project Proposal. It must be no more than 5 double-spaced pages (including abstract and references) and must include:

1. Abstract: 200 words or less.
2. Introduction & Literature Review: Explain the originality and significance of your work.
3. Research Questions/Objectives.
4. Methods: Plans for data collection and analysis.
5. Timeline: A realistic schedule for completion.
6. Conclusion/Future Directions.

Note: You will also need an unofficial transcript and a recommendation letter from your project advisor, which must include a brief budget statement for the $1,000 faculty grant.

Conditions of the Award

If selected, you are expected to spend 200–225 hours on your research. You must also: * Present your findings at the Undergraduate Symposium in April of the following year. * Submit a final progress report (500–1,000 words). * Not accept other funding for the same project during the same term.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). The application cycle opens on December 15, 2025. Log in to WiSH, fill out the general application, and search for "Hilldale."

Official Application Link: Click Here to Log in to Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH)