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Finding an Undergraduate Research Position

Getting research experience during your time as an undergraduate can aid in your pursuit for graduate school or certain career opportunities. There are many opportunities available to conduct research alongside faculty at Columbia or other universities and research institutes.

What types of research opportunities are available to me?

You can gain research experience by volunteering at university research institutes, medical centers, or hospitals. Volunteer positions typically allow for the greatest flexibility in commitment and experience level.

Certain majors allow students to pursue independent research projects during the semester and earn between 1 and 4 course credits. Usually, a proposal must be submitted to the department and the student must complete a culminating project like a presentation or report. Discuss with your department administrator prior to course registration.

Paid Research Assistantships

You may work alongside a Columbia faculty member as a paid research assistant. These positions are competitive and often require some prior exposure to research through coursework or other experiences.

Funded Programs

Funded programs are competitive programs that typically take place over the summer at universities around the country. Students are usually required to work full time (40–50 hours per week) on independent projects under the guidance of a research scientist in exchange for a stipend. Some examples are the  Amgen Scholars Program and  Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) , which are offered through Columbia, as well as the  National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) .

Fellowships

Fellowships provide funds for students to pursue independent research or to work as research assistants on ongoing laboratory projects over the summer at a location of their choice. For example, the Class of 1939 Summer Research Fellowship and the Deresiewicz Summer Research Fellowship provide funding for undergraduates to do independent research.

Senior thesis

Many departments offer the opportunity to research and write a senior thesis. This is typically a year-long independent project developed with the guidance of a faculty mentor. Some departments offer funding opportunities to kickstart your research the summer before senior year. Check your department website for more information about writing a senior thesis in your field.

How do I decide what research area I should pursue?

Ask yourself “what appeals to me”.

One of the first questions to ask yourself is: What broad, fundamental research question appeals to me? Think about your favorite courses, subjects, and publications. Choose and develop research interests that genuinely spark your intellectual curiosity. 

Do your research

To find inspiration, review Columbia’s Centers and Institutes website to search the broad spectrum of research areas supported on campus. Additionally, the websites for individual majors and academic departments usually have a list of professors’ research backgrounds, interests, and current projects.

Talk to others

Talk to your classmates, professors, teaching assistants, advisers, and mentors to get advice and help with brainstorming research areas of interest. Meet with an Undergraduate Research & Fellowships adviser to discuss how to get started and look for opportunities. If you’re a Columbia College student interested in science research, you can also connect with one of the advisors in the Undergraduate Research & Fellowships Office.

How do I find a research position?

There are several ways to find and apply to research opportunities. It’s best to use a variety of methods in your search. 

Search online databases

Use Columbia online databases such as the  Undergraduate Research Opportunities portal and the SEAS  Student Research Involvement Program portal. LionSHARE also shares some on-campus and off-campus research positions. Premed students should use resources like the  Clinical and Research Opportunities page and the  Summer Programs page, for GS, or the Extracurricular/Summer Options page, for Columbia College or SEAS students.

Contact professors doing research that interests you

Identify faculty members pursuing research projects in line with your interests. Find their contact information on their department webpages or in the Columbia directory. Send them a professional email , succinctly outlining your research interests and skills, and expressing your interest in serving as a research assistant. You can also stop by professors’ office hours to discuss their research and express your interest in person.

Apply to a funded program

Apply to Columbia-sponsored programs such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) , Amgen Scholars Program ,  Kluge Fellows Summer Research Program ,  Laidlaw Scholars Program , or Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship . Also, check out external opportunities through the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) website.

Seek a fellowship opportunity

Look for fellowship opportunities both through Columbia and external sites. Search the Undergraduate Research and Fellowships database or the School of General Studies fellowships database for opportunities.

Discover Columbia’s many research institutes

Review the websites of Columbia research institutes and affiliated research centers , including the The Earth Institute , Weatherhead East Asian Institute , and Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy . They often list research and fellowship opportunities. The Data Science Institute hosts an undergraduate computer and data science research fair during the fall semester.

Browse Departmental Research Opportunities and resources

Review the list of research opportunities and resources in academic departments on the Undergraduate Research and Fellowships website.

Subscribe to listservs

Subscribe to listservs like the prehealth, prelaw, and prebusiness emails to receive daily alerts of opportunities.

What materials do I need to apply?

To apply, you may need to submit the following documents as part of your application. 

• Resume: Most opportunities will ask you to submit a resume detailing previous research experience, project work, and related coursework.
• Letters of recommendation: Some fellowship and research programs require letters of recommendation. Consider asking current and former professors, teaching assistants, advising deans, and supervisors who can speak to your abilities and strengths. Be sure to give them plenty of time to write the letter.
• Statement of purpose or cover letter:  Some fellowships and research programs require a statement of purpose or cover letter describing your research interests, professional goals, and what skills and experiences you have to offer to the program.

You can find additional resources on applications through Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, including through their events and advising resources.

We’re here to help! Get your resume, cover letter, or statement of purpose reviewed by a CCE career counselor during Quick Questions or a 30-minute counseling appointment .

Related Resources

Creating an undergraduate cv.

Your curriculum vitae (CV) is a representation of your scholarly identity and trajectory in your field.

A CV is used to apply to research roles or other academic positions....

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• Research Opportunities

Performing research can be a very enriching and transformative part of your undergraduate experience at the College. You may encounter it as part of your coursework, but it can also be something you do outside of the classroom as a way to gain practical skills, learn about methods of inquiry and contribute actively to the advancement of study in your field.

Finding a research opportunity will require you to be proactive, build faculty relationships , and use key resources . It may be good to start by charting your personal goals and interests in order to help you identify opportunities that are a match for them. Remember to give yourself plenty of time for your search and to remain flexible and open-minded through the process. Engaging with the research community at Harvard is possible for students in all concentrations. Whether you have participated in research work previously, or are just getting started, there are opportunities designed to meet you where you are right now.

Research opportunities come in many formats and happen in a variety of settings. They often start off as a question that someone wants to explore more fully. Faculty, for example, initiate research projects designed for this purpose. It might also begin with you! In your studies, for example, you may have noticed a lack of knowledge or a lack of recent work on a particular topic that interests you. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, you could be the person to explore and find answers to fill in the void of missing information.

Depending on the scale of a project, you might find yourself working on a team or operating on your own and coordinating your efforts with those of a faculty mentor. This work may take place on campus, at other domestic locations, or even internationally, during term-time or over the course of the summer.

Some common formats of research experiences for undergraduates include:

Course-based Research

Courses (existing or independent study). Many courses at Harvard and neighboring institutions (where you can cross-register ) have a strong research component. There is even the option for you to design an independent study course. To explore these options, the best starting point is with a concentration adviser knowledgeable about course offerings and policies in that concentration. You can also visit the Advising Programs Office  (APO) to connect with undergraduate concentration advisers.

Research Assistantships

There are many opportunities to work as a research assistant on an existing project. A research assistantship is an excellent opportunity for students with little experience to get their first exposure to research. Research assistantship postings can be found on department webpages, at research centers, as well as on the Student Employment Office Job Board . You can also check with nearby hospitals and research groups, in addition to faculty and grad students. If you have never contacted research investigators before, check out our tips on how to effectively reach out to faculty .

Research Programs

In lieu of performing research via a course or an assistantship, you might consider looking at a research program. Depending on the program, you might work on a project designed by a member of faculty or propose your own question to pursue under the guidance of a faculty mentor. URAF summer programs, for example, are designed to correspond to specific academic areas (i.e., STEM, Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences), forming a cohort of fellows working on various topics in their area of interest.

URAF research programs are offered on an annual basis, with pre-set start- and end-times, and require formal applications with strict deadlines. These programs often have different eligibility criteria (i.e., GPA, class year, research experience). Some programs require previous field-specific experience, while other are designed for newcomers to that particular field of study. Many research programs include various forms of financial support (e.g. stipends, accommodation, etc.) as well as opportunities for community-building and intellectual growth.

Thesis Research

Each concentration has its own requirements for thesis research, including topics allowed, prerequisites, timing, and who can supervise your work. If you are interested in thesis research, connect with advisers appointed by the concentrations for guiding undergraduates—information about concentration advisers can be found on the APO website. Also, check out our tips on how to effectively reach out to faculty .

Some questions to ask yourself when looking for a program are:

• Where do you want to be?
• What type of research would you like to do?
• Does the program offer additional support or programming that may be helpful?
• How long do you intend to do research?

The Browse URAF opportunities page of our website aggregates a large number of Harvard undergraduate research options. Please note, however, that not all Harvard-affiliated schools and programs are listed here. To ensure you are learning about all potential opportunities, don’t forget to consult faculty advisers, concentration advisers, and academic advisers to identify programs that match your interests and desired outcomes most closely.

Beyond browsing through URAF opportunities, you can explore our External Resources  page which provides another starting point for finding research opportunities, including research programs. Some are based at Harvard, while others are located across the US and worldwide. You can also use Google to search for research programs related to your topic and interests. Try using the keywords, "undergraduate research" or "summer undergraduate research."

If you have previously performed research at Harvard, you too might consider how you would benefit from exploring external opportunities . Exposure to research and processes at different institutions will allow you to expand your professional and academic networks, to explore a new place and even new ways of investigating topics that interest you.

At whatever point you happen to be in your undergraduate trajectory, URAF is here to support you through each stage of the process. You can even check out our remote-ready  resources webpages if you intend to perform all or part of your research online.

>>>>Browse URAF Opportunities for Research>>>>

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HSURV Abstract Books

Interested in learning more about projects that past fellows in the Harvard Summer Undergraduate Research Village (HSURV) have worked on? Check out our achive HSURV Abstract Books!

• 2023 HSURV Abstract Book (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH, SPUDS)
• 2022 HSURV Abstract Book (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH, SPUDS)
• 2021 HSURV Abstract Book (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH, SPUDS)
• 2020 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH)
• 2019 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH)
• 2018 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH)
• 2017 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH, PCER)
• 2016 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH)
• 2015 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH)
• 2014 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP)
• 2013 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP)
• 2012 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO)
• 2011 PRISE Abstract Book
• 2010 PRISE Abstract Book
• 2009 PRISE Abstract Book
• 2008 PRISE Abstract Book
• 2007 PRISE Abstract Book

Funding Curiosity

UROP connects BU undergraduate students with funded, faculty-mentored research experiences.

Any undergraduate student enrolled full-time at Boston University is eligible to apply for UROP funding.

Featured Students

What Does Research With UROP Look Like?

Leela Munsiff (CAS) is a Linguistcs major who conducted research with Professor Kate Lindsey from the Department of Linguistics on a project titled, Changing Attitudes on Multilingualism in Limol, Papua New Guinea. Check out how she got involved in research and her advice for you!

What will you research?

• Clinical Psychology
• Opthalmology
• Environmental Health, Climate, Sustainability
• Business strategy
• Computer Science
• Forced Displacement
• Psychology and Statistics

Why Mentor?

Anna Henchman

“Whenever I had a question specific to the topic I was working on, Professor Henchman always had an answer, or she would point me in the direction of a book that would allow me to think further about the problem at hand. Furthermore, Professor Henchman helped me establish connections with other members of the BU faculty when she felt that their area of expertise would be a valuable addition to my research.” Brett Driben, CAS

Ready to Apply?

All full-time undergraduate Boston University students are eligible to apply for UROP funding.

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What’s in it for you?

Student spotlights.

Check out some of the research our students have done!

Special Awards

UROP has a variety of special awards for which applicants may be considered.

Take Part in a Research Cocurricular

The UROP office hosts two cocurriculars -HUB CC280 Building a Research Community complements and enriches a student's UROP research experience by providing opportunities to foster interdisciplinary discourse with other researchers. HUB CC195 Exploring Research Opportunities provides students with an introduction to research at BU.

UROP has allowed me to delve into research that extends beyond domestic borders and understand how others view the world. Not only have I grown as a researcher, but I have explored ideas surrounding the human connection that will extend beyond my time at Boston University

Hailey Hart-Thompson

CAS Independent; COM Film & TV

Serving as a faculty mentor benefitted me immensely…it gave me new perspective on my research and how to present to a wider, non-specialist audience. I would absolutely encourage any faculty member to participate in UROP.

Carrie J. Preston

Professor, CAS English

Research Opportunities

In keeping with its mission as a research university, NYU strives, whenever possible, to include undergraduates in the production of knowledge. Since creativity and original work can take different forms in different fields, research is defined in its broadest sense, encompassing artistic and professional activities, as well as more traditional academic inquiry into the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Research extends and enhances classroom learning by enabling students to work one-on-one with faculty members (and, in some areas, also with highly trained postdoctoral fellows and graduate students). In addition to strengthening a student's resume and graduate or professional school applications, such experiences expand understanding of a discipline, engender productive mentoring relationships, and encourage the development of analytic and communication skills that are useful in any profession.

Research varies widely in nature, context, and extent both within and across undergraduate schools at NYU, ranging from research requirements in individual credit-bearing courses to independent study courses and honors theses or projects.

Below are just a few examples of the ways in which undergraduate students can get involved in the research happening at New York University:

• College of Arts and Science Research
• Gallatin Research Scholar Program
• Social Work Research
• Steinhardt Research
• Stern Research
• Tandon Research

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Office of undergraduate education.

PairMe, hosted by UROP, is a dynamic platform dedicated to connecting students with research opportunities and mentors in their field of interest. It is a centralized hub where undergraduates can explore various research projects thereby networking with faculty members or graduate students, and gain valuable hands-on experience in academic research.

Our site streamlines the process of finding research opportunities by providing a user-friendly interface where students can browse, filter, and apply to projects based on their academic interests and expertise. With this site, undergraduates can take their academic journey to the next level by engaging in meaningful research experiences that contribute to their personal and professional growth. 

Undergraduate Research Spring Symposium

The 18th Annual Undergraduate Research Spring Symposium was held Tuesday, April 16 from 10 am - 4 pm in the Exhibition Hall. Over 150 students gave talks or presented posters on their projects. 

Talks covered topics in Computer Science, Energy and Space, Finance and Policy, Materials and Devices, Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, and Teaching and Learning.

During the afternoon poster sessions, the Midtown Ballroom “buzzed” with conversation as presenters shared their work. 

Congratulations to all the presenters! Many thanks to their excellent research mentors - from graduate student to faculty. We’re already looking forward to next year’s Symposium!

Click below for access to a photo album of the Symposium.

For Faculty, Staff, Postdocs, and Graduate Students: Recruiting Reviewers

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) is recruiting reviewers for two programs: PURA Salary Awards and the Undergraduate Research Spring Symposium.

For both of these programs, UROP relies on graduate students, postdocs, staff, and faculty to help us evaluate undergraduate students' proposals or presentations and provide valuable feedback. If you are interested in contributing as a reviewer, please complete the form below. We're always open to reviewers! Thank you!

As an undergraduate at one of the foremost institutions in the nation, there are many reasons to delve into research. Undergraduate research sparks critical thinking and creativity. By engaging in research and scholarship, students actively contribute to discovery and deepen their understanding within and beyond the classroom. Research is the innate pursuit of progress and service and the catalyst of innovation. We work to enhance it.

For Students

Research opportunities.

Research Programs

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• Undergraduate Research

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As  America’s first research university , we have been tackling difficult questions and finding answers since 1876.

Every day, our faculty and students work side by side in a tireless pursuit of discovery, continuing our founding mission to bring knowledge to the world. Whether you study engineering, chemistry, music, anthropology, or all of the above, every student here—no matter his or her major—is an investigator.

You can find research in whatever field you want because everyone here is doing some sort of research, and you can help out.

Explore supernovae alongside a Nobel laureate. Learn how to make music with lasers . Create devices that will save lives in impoverished countries . Take a grand tour of the cities that inspired some of the Western world’s great thinkers—Venice, Florence, Paris, or London.

At Hopkins, you can do all of the above. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Image caption: Kyra Bowden (left) and Grace Luettgen

Two juniors named Goldwater Scholars

Credit: Johns Hopkins University

Program funds undergraduate summer research experiences

Rising senior earns Beinecke Scholarship

Programs & fellowships.

• Provost’s Undergraduate Research Awards : Receive up to $3,000 and be paired with a full-time faculty sponsor for research on any topic of your choosing
• Woodrow Wilson Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program : Engage in hands-on, independent learning with faculty mentors and receive funding of up to $10,000 over four years
• ASPIRE grants : Promote independent research projects among undergrads in the School of Arts and Sciences; awards range from $500 to $4,500 per academic year

Learn more:

• Hopkins Office of Undergraduate Research
• Student research opportunities at the School of Engineering
• Student research opportunities at the School of Arts and Sciences

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Hailey Prokop and Irmgard Pallas, psychology students at the University of Michigan, delve into the crucial intricacies of suicide prevention among young populations.

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• Research Opportunities

Start your undergraduate research

Undergraduate research is open to every undergraduate in any discipline.

But you can do so much more than conduct research. That's just the starting point for experiences that can connect you to students and faculty around the University, country and world. 

• Attend or present at the Undergraduate Research and Arts Expo
• Apply for an Undergraduate Research Grant
• Publish findings in the Northwestern Undergraduate Research Journal
• Submit your work to the Undergraduate Awards , an international pan-discipline awards program
• Contact the Office of Fellowships to see if you qualify for a fellowship

OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

What direction will your research take you?

As an undergraduate at Northwestern, not only do you have the option to engage in scholarly research, regardless of your school, but your options for undergraduate research are almost endless. Here’s where it’s taken six of our undergraduates.

I’m working on a research project to develop the chemical vapor deposition of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides for applications in nanoscale photonics and solid-state devices.”

Spencer Park McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science Dual-Degree Program: Trumpet Performance & Materials Science and Engineering; Business Institutions Program minor

I recently had an Undergraduate Research Grant to research indigenous language maintenance within the Lepcha community of India. My research advisor is helping me put my research into the bigger picture of language revitalization work.”

Steffi Brock-Wilson Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences Economics major; Certificate in Civic Engagement

I’m working in a lab with Dr. Beverly Wright. I am being considered a peer among faculty members. It's an amazing opportunity to get started on research very early in my undergraduate experience.”

Simran Chadha School of Communication Communication Sciences and Disorders major; Global Health and/or Political Science minor

I worked with a professor to research and edit a textbook on social media. Also, I spent several quarters working with the professor who founded “The Youth Project,” a Medill-run publication centered on issues of social justice.”

Carter Sherman Medill School of Journalism Journalism and International Studies double major

The UCI Undergraduate Research Symposium is Here!

UROP invites all UCI students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to join us in celebrating UCI undergraduate students’ achievements in research projects and creative activities at the 2024 UCI Undergraduate Research Symposium May 13-17, 2024.  Details.

What is UROP?

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), housed within the Office of the Vice Provost of Teaching and Learning, assists undergraduate students from ANY academic discipline to find research and creative on-campus opportunities with UCI faculty, or off-campus opportunities with industrial partners, national labs, and other universities. We also provide grants to support UCI faculty-mentored undergraduate research projects and creative activities during the academic year and summer.

Getting Started

 New to UROP?  It’s easy to get started by doing the following:

1. Attend a Workshop or watch the workshop recordings  to learn about your options.  Then use these tools to help you choose:

• How to Get Involved in Research Worksheet
• Faculty Profile System and Google Scholar
• Sample Faculty Email and Guide to Emailing Faculty Video

2. Review the UROP Opportunities webpage

3. Stop by Drop-In Hours or come to the office  if you have specific questions.

Meet with an Advisor

Ready to get started, student researcher of the month.

Fill out a survey to be considered for a future UROP student spotlight

Ruby Lapeyre

Ruby Lapeyre, a Music Theatre major, has found that research has given her the opportunity to put into practice parts of theatre she had learned about in her classes. “I want to be a jack-of-all-trades in theatre and with my hands-on research I get to try my hand at everything. I’ve now directed, performed, prop designed, set designed, all because of my research.” Ruby has demonstrated her passion for undergraduate research by serving as a 2023–2024 UROP Ambassador.

What advice would you give to a student interested in pursuing a faculty-mentored undergraduate research project or creative activity?

“If you have something that interests you, a passion or a question, just dive into it and apply!”

Faculty Mentor of the Month

Fill out a survey to be considered for a future UROP faculty spotlight

Professor Cynthia Bassham

Drama professor Cynthia Bassham has always been interested in mentoring students with research and creative projects, saying that “it’s important to learn skills in a classroom setting, but then they need a practical application. This is where the work is integrated.”

What do you look for and what are your expectations of undergraduates you select to conduct research under your guidance?

“Students need to be proactive, self-motivated, and passionate.”

What recommendations and advice would you give students embarking on undergraduate research or creative projects?

“Start small and dream big. And stay determined.”

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Undergraduates are an essential part of our leading-edge research. There are many ways to contribute to impactful research early in your career, from summer programs to paid research positions with faculty.

Year Long Research

• Clare Boothe Luce Research Scholars an ISUR-affiliated program supporting undergraduate women in research and teaching in science, mathematics, and engineering. Eight scholars are selected and funded each year.
• C3SR-Undergraduate Research in Artificial Intelligence is an IBM-Illinois and ISUR partnership funding undergraduate AI and cognitive computing research, from theory to practical application while working with a C3SR faculty mentor.
• The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) SPIN is an academic internship program for undergraduate students to participate in supercomputing, visualization, data analytics, and similar fields with five weekly paid hours.

Semester Long Research

• CS Job Portal is our department's employment opportunities with course assistant and undergraduate research positions.
• PURE (Promoting Undergraduate Research in Engineering) is a student-run research program connecting first-year and second-year students with graduate student mentors to jump-start their research careers. 

Summer Research

• The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) INCLUSION program is a 10-week program for students from underrepresented communities to work in pairs with mentors on research aimed toward social impact based around open-source software development.
• Summer Research Program for Undergraduates (SRP)  students work on state-of-the-art research with university faculty while attending professional development programs aimed at making students strong researchers and graduate school candidates
• Mind in Vitro Undergraduate Summer Research Program undergraduate researchers work with faculty mentors and graduate students on projects related to Mind in Vitro while participating in the Illinois summer research program networking, socials, lunches, and seminars.

Mentorship Opportunities

Showcase Opportunities

• Engineering Research Fair is hosted by Grainger Engineering every semester for researchers to share their work and labs and for companies recruiting researchers.
• Undergraduate Research Symposium is a yearly campus-wide research symposium for undergraduate researchers to present the results of their research and gain experience presenting work to a wider audience.

• Give to Undergraduate Research

Research Opportunities Database

We maintain a database of research opportunities located on campus and the surrounding Seattle area that are actively recruiting UW undergraduates.

Read this Before Using the Database:

The database is accessible to uw students and staff with a uw netid. if it is your first time using the database, you will need to create an expo account using the link below. new opportunities are added all year-round..

• Mentors interested in posting an opportunity to the database can find more information here .

This is not a comprehensive list of all the research opportunities available for UW undergraduates!

• The database is made up of opportunities submitted to us by research mentors, but not all mentors choose to post their opportunities. Some research mentors prefer that undergraduates meet with them to explore potential research topics together. Additionally, some departments may have lists of opportunities that are not posted on this database.

How to Use the Database:

Identify what kind of research is currently happening..

• Look through the postings to see examples of current research projects and think about what kind of research you may be interested in doing. While many of the opportunities are STEM-related, know that inquiry in the arts and humanities is active and thriving! Students interested in arts and humanities research should meet with a Office of Undergraduate Research advisor to learn more about how to get involved in these fields.

Recognize that the database is a great starting point for students beginning their search, but that majority of students find their research positions outside of the database.

Don’t do this:

Don’t send an email to every faculty member in your major/area of interest..

• You want to find the opportunity that is right for you, not just  any  opportunity. The more specific and tailored your email is, the more success you will have connecting with potential faculty mentors. Also keep in mind that much of the research on campus is interdisciplinary (i.e. it crosses degree and subject areas), so interesting opportunities may exist outside of your major.

Don’t give up.

• Many students are not successful in their first attempts to find a research position. Talk to our advisors for help in improving your application. They can help you approach faculty effectively, revise your resume, and refine your search strategies.

You’re ready!

Search the database

Not finding what you’re looking for? Come in for advising to talk through some strategies on how you can keep moving forward!

Learn more!

How to Reach Out to a Mentor Guide

Check out the How to Reach Out to a Mentor Guide to learn tips & tricks when sending an email to a mentor.

University of South Florida

Office of High Impact Practices & Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate Studies

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Undergraduate research, what is research.

Research is an inquiry or creative project that makes an original contribution to the student's discipline. According to this definition there are several aspects that characterize someone who engages in undergraduate research:

• Curiosity - Inquiry requires you to ask, probe, question, investigate, and examine.
• Creativity - This requires you to have original ideas, take new approaches, use new methods, use your imagination.
• Contributor - You must work with others to achieve something, provide support, add to the existing body of knowledge.
• Passion - There is a specific field, subject, or area of study to which you want to contribute or impact.

WHY DO RESEARCH?

Participating in undergraduate research allows students to pursue their interests, solve problems, hone their critical thinking skills, and make real contributions to knowledge within their fields. There are many benefits to conducting undergraduate research while at USF:

• Students who participate in research are more likely to demonstrate higher academic achievement and excel in school.
• Those who conduct undergraduate research have an advantage when applying to graduate school.
• Participating in research helps students determine career goals and instills a set of transferable skills, making then more competitive in the job market.
• Conducting research allows students to build relationships with faculty members and other experts in their fields.
• Getting involved in research gives students access to more scholarships, awards, conferences, stipends, and academic credit.

Getting started

Getting involved in Undergraduate Research at USF may seem overwhelming at first. We've developed the IDS 2912 Undergraduate Research course to walk you step by step through the process. This course has been set up for you as a launching pad into your research journey here at USF!

IDS 2912,  is a course that unites students across majors who are interested in improving their understanding of what research is and finding out how to obtain a faculty mentor for their research pursuits. This 3-credit course is offered in a hybrid format.

Register for the IDS 2912 for Summer 2024, CRN 51376. No permit is required. Register for IDS2912 for Fall 2024, CRN 88345. This is a hybrid, alternative calendar course that runs from 9/11/24 - 12/6/24. Directions for registering for an alternative calendar course are on this page .

TRANSCRIPT CREDIT

The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research (HIPUR) offers an option for research activity on your transcript. For more information, visit the Research on your Transcript page.

USF Libraries Workshops for Researchers

Interested in learning Tableau for data visualizations, EndNote or Zotero for citation management or how to use environmental data sets? If so, the USF libraries have you covered with their workshops for researchers. View and register these offerings and more on the library calendar .

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES WITH USF FACULTY

Looking for a mentored research experience? The Research Portal is here to assist you find the right opportunity across USF campuses and disciplines. You can use a combination of options, including course credit, paid opportunity, or a volunteer experience. Build your profile and begin your search!

Challenges Finding A Faculty Mentor

Suggestions for finding opportunities

If a faculty member declines to serve as your faculty mentor, don’t be discouraged. This may say more about the professor’s prior commitments than it does about the merits of your project.

If you have received a “no” or a non-response, consider the following steps:

• Give it time (if they don't answer in 24 hours). Wait a week for follow-up.
• Look creatively beyond the "matchmaking" lists on this website; there may be other ways to identify faculty who would work with you.
• Broaden your interest and put your dream project on hold.
• Re-frame your request-ask for an informational interview, not looking for research explicitly.
• Use your social capital--consider working with a faculty member you are taking a class with now (or have in the past).
• Network with the student organization Undergraduate Research Society and connect with successful undergraduate researchers to gain tips.
• Find an advocate--talk to a graduate student researcher about opportunities (note: this route involves more legwork).
• Approach a different faculty member in that same department--possibly with a more broad request instead of targeted (or change the target to match the new faculty member's research interests)?
• Search the HIPUR opportunities above for ideas that might not be your first choice, but are acceptable.
• Search for REU opportunities at your chosen department's website, or the NSF website.
• Consider Tampa-Bay area research opportunities off-campus.
• Attend seminars/events/conferences where prominent faculty in your field are represented and network (these events could be USF-centric or not).
• Research does not necessarily only involve getting a position within a faculty member’s lab; you can introduce a research proposal yourself that a faculty member may help you with.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

Department of Chemistry REU Program

Engineering

• College of Engineering REU program
• International Research Experience for Students (IRES)
• REU in Ubiquitous Sensing
• REU in Functional Materials and Manufacturing

Geosciences

• Weather, Climate, and Society (WCS) 
• Program in Interdisciplinary Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation Research and Training (PIACCART)
• Making Waves: Science Communication and Interdisciplinary Ocean Research Experiences at USF 

Department of Physics REU Program

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES WITH USF Colleges

Department of psychology .

Behavioral Sciences

College of Behavioral and Community Sciences

College of the Arts

Arts and Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

Muma College of Business

College of Education

Global Sustainability

Patel College of Global Sustainability

Marine Science

College of Nursing

Pharmacy 

Public Health

University of California, Riverside

Undergraduate Research

Create, Innovate, and Chart a Course to Change the World

Our undergraduate students graduate prepared to change the world.

From academic internships to fieldwork, undergraduate students at UCR make things happen — and make things better. Across all majors — from the sciences to the arts — they engage in the exploration of their greatest passions, generating innovative ideas and creative solutions through experiential learning and research opportunities.

Faculty mentors help to propel their ideas forward, challenging their thinking and allowing them to create and innovate in their studies and across disciplines. Because at UCR, our students don’t just take courses. They chart one.

Undergraduate Research Portal

The uResearch Portal is the place to discover the latest in undergraduate research opportunities, including faculty-mentored research, scholarship, and creative activities across disciplines. Research opportunities are open to all students, from all majors, at all levels of experience.

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College Center for Research and Fellowships

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Undergraduate research, welcome to the university of chicago’s central unit dedicated to undergraduate research across all disciplines and collegiate divisions.

The College Center for Research and Fellowships (CCRF) helps undergraduates in the College navigate the broad array of institutional, domestic, and international research opportunities that are available to them. The CCRF encourages students to make scholarly research and creative inquiry a fundamental part of their experience at the University of Chicago, if it makes sense academically and vocationally. 

Faculty-mentored research experiences complement and deepen academic work done in the classroom and provide students with key skills that prepare them for national and international fellowships, graduate study, and diverse careers. 

In support of undergraduate research, the CCRF organizes and runs:

Students interested in pursuing faculty-mentored research should begin by reviewing the information under the For Students  tab and by attending an  Undergraduate Research Information Session . Our FAQs are a convenient place to start and can direct you to detailed information about common questions.

The College Center for Research and Fellowships is UChicago's institutional member of the  Council on Undergraduate Research  (CUR) and is a participating member of the  National Council on Undergraduate Research  (NCUR), the  British Conference of Undergraduate Research  (BCUR), and the  World Congress on Undergraduate Research .

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Summer REU Opportunity at UConn for Engineers (5/27)

The UConn ANCHOR (Advancing Naval Careers through ​Higher-Ed Outreach and Research) Program is excited to announce that they have additional availability for their Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program for Summer 2024. This program is styled off an NSF REU program, where students will live at the UConn Storrs campus for ten (10) weeks from May 27, 2024 – August 3, 202 4. The program provides a $6,000 stipend, and travel reimbursemen t. Housing and meals are provided. Students will be paired with world-class faculty at UConn in undersea vehicle technology and work in one of several cutting-edge labs across campus

Please find the (brief) application here . For any questions please feel free to reach out to program admins Bryce Aaronson ( [email protected] ) and Alexander Grey ( [email protected] ). We hope to see you in Storrs!

School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

College of engineering, undergraduate research excellence celebrated at ors symposium.

In celebration of student research and innovation, the Opportunity Research Scholar's (ORS) Symposium was held on May 3, 2024. ORS is the Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering’s (ECE) undergraduate research program designed to enhance and expand the traditional classroom experience through long-term projects.

The annual symposium is the culmination of two semesters of research through the ORS program. Starting each fall, students in groups of three to four, conduct the research with the help of a graduate advisor and a faculty member.

At the end of the Spring semester, each group submits their research as a conference paper to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) ORSS, which decides the first and second place Best Paper Winners for the ECE ORSS. 

“The ORS Symposium is testament to the dedication, passion, and hard work of our student researchers,” ORS Director Shanthi Rajaraman said. “To witness the progress and growth of these young minds is rewarding and inspiring."

Students also present their research via posters at the symposium, with a People’s Choice Award given out to the best overall poster as decided by student participants and mentors.

Additionally, students have the opportunity to peer review other teams’ projects. For the past three years, the ORS Symposium has been open to teams beyond ECE. This year, there were 25 teams that participated, with 22 coming from Georgia Tech and three from Kennesaw State University.

Since its establishment, over 1,000 students have participated in the ORS program, with nearly twice as many ORS Ph.D. graduates going on to a career in a academics than the general ECE Ph.D. population, according to Rajaraman.

All the pictures from the symposium can viewed here.

The 2024 winners were:

Best Paper Award

From left to right: Avanish Narumanchi, Seongjin Kim, William Montello, Md. Nahid Haque Shazon (Mentor)

Title:   Investigating the Impacts of Device Geometry and an Alternative Write Current Scheme on Write Time and Switching Energy of SOT-MRAMs  Student Researchers: Seongjin Kim, William Montello, Avanish Narumanchi, Md. Nahid Haque Shazon Faculty Advisor: Azad Naemi

From left to right: Karsten Richardson, Cullen Lonergan, Luke Hanks

Title: Analog High-Level Synthesis for Field Programmable Analog Arrays Student Researchers: Luke Hanks, Cullen Lonergan, Karsten Richardson, Afolabi Ige, Pranav Mathews  Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Hasler

People’s Choice Award

From left to right: Emma McClelion, Hannah Xiao, Viktor Raykov

Title: Rectenna Characterized Under Varying 2-D Transmitter Positions & Power Beaming Amplitude Levels at 5.8 GHz Student Researchers: Hanna Xiao, Emma McClelion, Victor Raykov, Hanna Xiao, Kaitlyn Graves Faculty Advisor: Greg Durgin

Let your curiosity lead the way:

Apply Today

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Niemi Lab Seeks UG Researcher for FA24

We are seeking an undergraduate student in the Niemi Lab ( https://www.niemilab.com/ ) within the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics on the medical campus. This undergraduate would start in the Fall 2024 Semester.

Our lab focuses on how mitochondria are built, regulated, and maintained across physiological contexts. Projects in the lab include understanding the mechanisms and regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, determining how select mitochondrial proteins are targeted for degradation, and characterizing how post-translational modifications influence mitochondrial form and function. We work with cell culture systems, mouse-derived primary cells, and mouse model systems. Our long-term goal is to translate our discoveries into new therapeutics options that restore mitochondrial function in human disease.

As an undergraduate student under the supervision of Tessa Lochetto, a graduate student in the lab, you can expect your research activities to include genotyping of mouse strains, immunoblotting, quantitative real-time PCRs, mouse handling, mouse tissue histology, microscopic imaging, and more! Tessa’s projects focus on how regulated phosphorylation is imperative for the health, development, and physiology of skeletal and cardiac muscle.

The expected time commitment is approximately 10 hours/week. This is an excellent opportunity for students who are interested in immersing themselves in wet-lab, physiology-focused research with a plan of applying to graduate school, medical school, or for someone looking for a long-term position (e.g., research technician over a gap year). Lab work can be done for credit, work-study, or hourly pay (potentially). 

Interested applicants should reach out to Tessa Lochetto ( [email protected] ) directly with:

• A resume/CV.
• A brief statement of why you’re interested in our lab and/or the described project(s).
• Would you be more interested in cardiac or skeletal muscle?
• Any prior research experiences?
• What is the time you can commit to during the semesters in the context of your other commitments?

All applications will be considered. Students will be encouraged to present their work at lab meetings, department seminars, and undergraduate research symposiums.

Header image by vecstock on Freepik.

in the news:

Apply for the WashU Research Ambassador Program (WRAP)

Summer Research with WashU Statistics and Data Science

MIT Postbacc: The Research Scholars Program in Brain and Cognitive Sciences

UG Research Poster Competition at BDN Western Regional Conference

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Department Scholarships and Support for Research

Department of history undergraduate awards 2024.

Please apply for these awards via the application form here:

The due date for applications is 11:59 PM March 1, 2024.

Lloyd Roberts Evans Endowed Scholarship in History For history majors of junior or senior rank with a GPA of 3.4 or above.

Frommer Scholarship To provide tuition support for an undergraduate student majoring in history and interested in studying abroad. The funds may be used for travel abroad expenses. Eligible recipient must show demonstrated financial need and above-average academic performance.

Fullmer Scholarship Fund Provides student support for undergraduate students in the Department of History. Preference will be given to students studying in the areas of women’s history or the history of science. Special consideration shall be given to candidates that are members of organizations recognized by the University that are open to all but whose missions seek to advance the need of historically underserved populations.

Timothy Gregory Scholarship for History and Archaeology in the Mediterranean Sea Region Provides support for undergraduate or graduate students who are enrolled in the Department of History (“Department”), wish to pursue historical research or study abroad opportunities that include archaeology in the Mediterranean Sea region and demonstrate a desire to pursue archaeological work in the territory of Greece on any period from prehistory to modern times. Preference will be given to students who are majoring or minoring in history.

Marge Haffner Memorial Scholarship For a history student who already has some form of financial aid.

Hairston Scholarship For an excellent history major who demonstrates financial need. Preference is given to students who graduated from high schools in the Appalachia region and students who are first-generation college students, students who have overcome substantial educational or economic obstacles, or students who have experience living or working in diverse environments.

Austin Kerr Scholarship in Modern American History For history majors studying modern American history. Award based on financial need.

Allen R. Millett Scholarship For history majors studying abroad.

Dr. John and Marilyn Nethers Endowed Scholarship Supports undergraduate students majoring in history. The application will be available soon. 

Dr. John T. von der Heide Scholarship For history majors entering their senior year in 2023-2024.

Adrienne A. & Marvin R. Zahniser Scholarship Available to senior history majors with a total GPA that puts them in the top 10% of fellow history majors.

History Majors' Views on Departmental Scholarships

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Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of this Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions is to support small scale research grants at institutions that do not receive substantial funding from the NIH, with an emphasis on providing biomedical research experiences primarily for undergraduate students, and enhancing the research environment at applicant institutions. Eligible institutions must award baccalaureate science degrees and have received no more than $6 million dollars per year of NIH support (in both direct and F&A/indirect costs) in 4 of the last 7 fiscal years. For institutions composed of multiple schools and colleges, the $6 million funding limit is based on the amount of NIH funding received by all the non-health professional schools and colleges within the institution as a whole. See Part II. Section 3.1 Eligible Organizations for more information.

Funding Opportunity Details

Full Announcement: PAR-24-152 Related Notices or Announcements: None

Program Contact: Karl F Malik, Ph.D

Open Date: 5/25/2024

Letter of Intent Due Date: Not Applicable

Application Due Date: June 25, 2024; October 25, 2024