Freshman Research Initiative

Apply For Fall

Entering Freshmen: Apply for the Fall Semester 2025

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:

Apply For Spring

Apply for Summer

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:

FRI Applications


  • FRI Application - Check Back in 2025.

    • FRI Application Deadline. 

    • FRI Acceptance Notification. Students who applied by the deadline will be notified by Cornerstones week in Late April 2025.

    **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. 

  • FRI Waitlist Application - Check Back in 2025.

    Students who are admitted to the College of Natural Sciences for fall semester and missed the application deadline can submit a waitlist application.

    Applications will be reviewed by the FRI Selection Committee and applicants will be notified when a seat becomes available via email. 

    Apply to FRI Waitlist