Undergraduate Summer Research Programme

Welcome to the The Undergraduate Research Programme

The Undergraduate Research (UGR) Programme at the School of Medicine in the University of Galway is a well-established summer research programme, open for application to undergraduate medical students.

It offers the chance to engage in hands-on research projects with Principal Investigators from a wide range of medical fields, from basic sciences to clinical research. Participants develop practical research skills, critical thinking, teamwork, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of the research topic.

While funded research scholarships are available, they are limited and competitive. We encourage and support UGR applicants to explore and apply for external funding opportunities.

This is a unique opportunity to grow as a researcher, work with multidisciplinary teams, and build professional networks that will benefit you throughout your career.

Current School of Medicine Students can find out more on the UGR Canvas Page.

UG Research Day:
Undergraduate Research Day happens every year in October and is an opportunity for UGR participants to disseminate their research to their peers and academic staff and compete for research prizes. Oral and poster presenters are chosen from submitted abstracts.

UGR prize winners over the years.

2024

Claire Reidy, 1st Prize Poster        Mary Botros, James P. Murray      Maria Thomas, First Prize
Competition                                 Memorial Medal Winner               Oral Competition

2025

Troyena Pal,  Poster Presentation   Pedro Loureiro Tarpey Prize         Paschal Walsh, Gold Medal 
Runner-Up 2025                         Prize Winner 2025                           Winner 2025

Matthew Dillane, Oral                   Emily Driscoll, Oral Prize              Christian Hecimovic, Students
Presentation Runner-Up 2025         Winner 2025                                 Choice Winner 2025

Benedikt Lickt, Poster Presentation
Winner 2025

Atlantic Corridor Research conference (ACRC):
Atlantic Corridor Research Conference is an annual medical student research conference held in alternating years at University of Galway and University College Cork (UCC). Authors of the highest scoring presentations and posters from UGR Day are invited to complete with their peers from UCC for best oral and best poster awards in the ACRC conference.

ACRC prize winners over the years.

2023

Eunice Young,                               Avinesh Ramesh
Poster Presentation Winner          Poster Presentation Runner-Up             

2025

Claire Reidy, ACRC Poster             Pedro Loureiro, ACRC Oral          Ellen Kennedy, ACRC Oral 
Presentation Winner 2025            Presentation Runner-Up 2025     Presentation Winner 2025

Student Impact:
The Undergraduate Research (UGR) Programme participants have had outstanding research outputs including journal publications and conference presentations.  The Student Impact Award recognises the student or students whose research has made outstanding impact on their field.

Student Impact Award prize winners over the years:

Paddy Murphy, Student Impact Award         UGR Impact Award Prize Winners 2025, 
           Winner 2024                                      Allie Seminer and Alfredi Mulihano