FRI Program Eligibility
In order to join FRI during the fall semester, you must have been accepted to the College of Natural Sciences as a first-year student.
If you are a transfer or advanced student:
As a college we are committed to making UT Austin a welcoming, supportive place for all students. We have many different Cornerstones Communities and work to match every incoming student with a small academic learning community of peers with similar academic interests. All incoming students will be informed of their Cornerstones placement on Late April!
Partner Programs
The following partner programs grant first-year students who are admitted to the partner program automatic acceptance into FRI:
- Dean's Scholars (DS)
- Biology Scholars Program (BSP)
- Health Science Scholars (HSS)
- Polymathic Scholars (PS)
- Women in Natural Sciences (WINS)
FRI Applications
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FRI Application - OPEN
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FRI Application Deadline: March 20, 2026, 11:59 PM CST.
- FRI Acceptance Notification. Students who applied by the deadline will be notified by Cornerstones week in Late April 2026.
**Please note that students selected for the TIP Scholars program will be notified about their FRI application status during Summer Student Orientation via their TIP advisor.
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FRI Waitlist Application - CLOSED
Students who are admitted to the College of Natural Sciences for fall semester and missed the application deadline can submit a waitlist application.
Waitlist applicants are notified if a seat becomes available via email.