Pharis Fellowship 2026: $6,000 Stipend for Data Science Research at the University of Houston — Apply by March 6

The University of Houston (UH) has opened applications for the 2026 George "Trey" Pharis Fellowship Program. This is a prestigious, full-time summer research opportunity designed for undergraduate students interested in applying data science principles to real-world community health challenges.

Selected fellows will receive a $6,000 stipend for a 10-week program running from May 26 to July 31, 2026. If you want to gain hands-on experience with large-scale datasets and work with local community partners in Houston, this is the perfect summer experience. The deadline to apply is March 6, 2026.

Fellowship Overview & Key Details

What Will You Do?

The Pharis Fellowship is self-directed but highly structured. Your goal is to conceptualize and develop a research project focused on the Non-Medical Drivers of Health (NMDOH) in Houston. Data Access: You will have access to restricted-use datasets on healthcare, education, criminal justice, and the environment through partnerships with UH research centers and local governments. Community Engagement: You will learn how data plays a role in community engagement by working with local partners.

Program Structure (Hybrid)

This is a full-time commitment (approx. 40 hours/week) with a hybrid schedule:

• In-Person: You must be on the UH Main Campus three days a week (Mon, Wed, Fri) from 9am to 5pm.
• Online: The remaining days involve online seminars, meetings via Microsoft Teams, and independent work.
• Activities: Your week will include skill courses, reading discussions, and one-on-one meetings with mentors.

Eligibility Criteria

The program is inclusive and encourages diversity in academic backgrounds. To apply, you must meet these requirements:

• Enrollment: Open to ALL undergraduate students at the University of Houston, regardless of major or college affiliation.
• Priority: Priority consideration is given to students in the Data & Society minor.
• Commitment: You cannot have other summer employment or coursework (unless extenuating circumstances are discussed).

Required Deliverables

By the end of the 10 weeks, you are expected to produce:

1. A complete draft of a research poster suitable for UH Undergraduate Research Day.
2. A presentation for the Engaged Data Science Summer Symposium panel.

How to Apply

Applications for the Summer 2026 program are now open. Selection decisions will be announced in April 2026.

Official Application Link: Click Here to Apply for Pharis Fellowship 2026