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Active and enrolling VIPs for Spring 2027

Work on faculty led, interdisciplinary teams tackling complex challenges.

Teams need students with diverse skills, interests, talents, and majors. You don’t have to already be an expert to join a team.

To get started, follow these steps:

  1. Take a look at the VIP teams in each of the sections below.
  2. Complete this inquiry form. The forms are directly shared with faculty. Please ensure your responses are professional, clear and help faculty understand why you are interested in their VIP. You will be able to select up to THREE teams.
  3. Once we have your information, faculty leads will reach out to you to discuss you interests in specific projects.
  4. Please give about 1-2 weeks for faculty leads to get back to you.
  5. If you have not heard back from faculty, or have questions for them, you are also welcome to email them directly. Here are some email templates to help you craft an email to a VIP faculty lead.
  6. Need help finding the right project or need other assistance? Email us at vip@boisestate.edu for a consultation.

Active and enrolling VIPs for Spring 2027

Browse the VIPs below to find one that interests you. Once you have identified teams that interest you, complete this inquiry form. Note that you will be able to select up to THREE teams.

Across the Universe: Astronomy in the Solar System and Beyond

Join this VIP to do astrophysics research for NASA

The Art of Scientific Visualization

Join this VIP to learn how computer visualization of data and 3D renderings help understand and explain science

Autism Language and Learning

New VIP for Fall 2026. Join the ALL lab to learn about autism research related to language and learning.

Autonomous Robotic Systems

In-person: Work like an engineering company to design, build, and compete with an autonomous robot.

The AWESOMEst VIP

New VIP for Fall 2026: Learn more

Biology of Migratory Birds

Learn about the biology of migratory birds.

Brain and Addiction

Join this team to find new therapeutical targets for drug addiction treatment

BRAIN HEALTH: VR-Scent for Alzheimer’s Detection

BRAIN HEALTH: VR-Scent for Alzheimer’s Detection

Building Resilient Communities

Join this VIP to participate in an applied, multidisciplinary community resilience research project with a real world impact.

C3: Complex Communities

Join this team to explore interactions among plants, their microbial communities, and the environment, while learning how to analyze and visualize data.

Emerging Technologies: From IoT to Big Data

Learn more

Genome 2 Phenome

In-person

Graphic Histories

Be a part of the Graphic Histories team and contribute to the research, development, and production of illustrated representations of historical events.

Green Materials – Maresunex

Join this team to explore ways to mitigate the materials supply crisis associated with the green technology revolution.

Hands-On Sensor Computing

This team will place, power, and communicate with small, remotely placed sensors used to measure various life sciences processes.

Housing Opportunities for All

HYBRID: Address Treasure Valley housing issues

Human Cooperation Lab

Help solve an environmental issue in our community

IBO Habitat Restoration

Join this team to help restore a new channel of the Boise River, while working to monitor the plants and wildlife that call this ecosystem home.

IBO Bird Window Strike Surveys

Help us survey for dead birds and document dangerous windows so that we can advocate for change on campus and beyond.

Immersive Virtual Reality

Hybrid: Capture and create VR worlds

Informatics Skunkworks

HYBRID: Machine Learning

Inflammation and STEM Cells

In-person: Research new treatments for Parkinson’s disease

Innovative Research in CyberAI

Hybrid: Join this course to explore and address research challenges at the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

Leading Innovative Energy Design

Design solutions for our sustainable energy future

Mapping Sagebrush Restoration

HYBRID: Field and lab work to save sagebrush

NASA Micro-g NExT

In-person: Work on the NASA MICRO-g NEXT CHALLENGE

NASA SUITS

In-person: Work on the NASA SUITS Challenge

Nucleic Acid Memory

Pioneering ways to use DNA as a low cost and highly stable data storage material

Organoid Intelligence

In-person: Create 3D biological computers that sense, learn, and control by merging tissue engineering, microelectronics, and machine learning.

Plant-Soil Interactions in a Changing World

In-person: Study environmental change and ecosystems

Plasma Medicine and Agriculture

In-person: Explore plasma applications

Research in Economics

This course exposes students to economic research with focus on data analysis and public policy, addressing environmental, social, and economic issues.

Shake It Up After School

Learn more

Smart Materials and Systems

Join this VIP to learn more about state-of-the-art smart material research

Special Education Research Lab

Support individuals with disabilities through groundbreaking research

Trashy Innovations

New VIP for Fall 2026: Learn More

VIP 100 (Entire Semester/1st 7 Weeks)

VIP 100

Ready to join a VIP?

Complete the Inquiry Form
MORE VIPS

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Some VIPs become temporary unavailable or may have been archived. Check out the VIPs below.

Active but temporarily not enrolling

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Archived VIPs

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