Building Leaders. Expanding Opportunity. Connecting STEM Communities.
The URA STEM Ambassadors Program is a collaborative initiative designed to empower undergraduate and graduate students across our member universities to serve as leaders, advocates, and connectors for undergraduate and graduate research and STEM opportunities. Through this program, ambassadors learn about the U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories, URA-sponsored workforce development initiatives, and national science policy priorities, all while gaining valuable professional development, leadership experience, and career exposure.
Program Overview
The URA STEM Ambassadors Program establishes a network of student ambassadors at each member university who act as champions for URA initiatives. Ambassadors play a key role in promoting research opportunities, events, and programs while also benefiting from a structured monthly virtual seminar series and professional development experience that prepares them for a variety of STEM careers. By connecting ambassadors across institutions, the program fosters a vibrant, multi-campus community focused on leadership, collaboration, and expanding access to research and career pathways in STEM.
What Do STEM Ambassadors Do?
URA STEM Ambassadors serve as liaisons between URA and their campus communities. Their responsibilities include:
- Promoting URA and STEM programs, opportunities, and events to students on their campuses and beyond
- Serving as peer advocates for research and engagement
- Participating in quarterly leadership calls and professional development activities
Ambassadors gain hands-on experience in science communication, leadership, and networking while making a meaningful impact at their institutions.
Professional Development & Community
A core component of the program is ambassador development. The STEM Ambassadors network brings students together across institutions to participate in:
- Seminar talks featuring professionals from a wide range of STEM fields at national labs
- Professional development projects that allow students to engage with national labs
- Peer networking opportunities
These activities are designed to help ambassadors explore options, build confidence, and prepare for next steps after graduation.
Monthly Virtual Seminar Series
In parallel with ambassador activities, URA hosts a monthly virtual seminar series open to ambassadors and the broader URA community. These seminars feature speakers from the U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories. This series broadens students’ understanding of what is possible with a STEM degree and provides direct exposure to professionals working beyond traditional academic careers. A tentative schedule is below:
- Friday, March 13 – Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
- Friday, April 10 – Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Friday, May 8 – Sandia National Laboratories
- June-August – Break
- September – Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- October – National Laboratory of the Rockies
- November – Savannah River National Laboratories
- December 2026 – Ambassador Challenge
URA STEM Ambassadors Challenge
Ambassadors will work in teams to develop a product in coordination with the Department of Energy. We encourage teamwork across the network and will award scientific conference registration to the championship team.
Interested in becoming an ambassador? Eligibility for applicants:
- Must be an undergraduate or graduate student in a STEM field
- Must attend a URA member institution
- Must be enrolled in the Fall 2026 semester