Gateway Research Experiences
Who is eligible to participate?
- citizens and permanent residents of the US or its possessions
- rising second-year (sophomore) students when project begins; rising third-year students may also apply, but have lower priority
- students with demonstrated interest in science
- enrolled at an institution with bachelor’s degree programs, or institutions with associate’s degree programs leading to transfer to a bachelor’s program
As a Keck Gateway research participant, you will be awarded:
- transportation to the project home institution
- transportation, housing, and meals during the summer project
- support for research expenses and analytical costs
- funding for travel, housing and meals to co-present your results with other project members at a professional meeting
- a $3,000 fellowship for your participation in the five-week summer research project; dispersed at end of summer program
Expectations of Keck Gateway research participants:
- hard-working, intellectually curious, and passionate about science
- able to work as part of a team
- contribute to a co-authored presentation at a professional meeting
- complete project surveys and evaluations that are administered before, during, and after the summer project
- complete guided self-reflection about the research experience
Important Info
2023 Keck Projects Flyer
Application for 2023 Program
15 Feb: Applications due
15 Mar: Acceptance letters sent
2023-24 GATEWAY PROJECTS:

Floods in Yellowstone National Park
The impact of large floods on fluvial systems in northern Yellowstone National ParkOverview: This six-student Gateway project will introduce five rising sophomores to field-based applied fluvial geomorphology research and provide a senior thesis for a rising senior...

Groundwater in California and Western Great Plains
Geochemical controls on uranium contamination of groundwater in the Central Valley and High Plains aquifer systemsOverview: Two of the most agriculturally productive regions in the world are the western Great Plains, which grows the majority of U.S. grain, and the...