Office of Undergraduate Research

The Office of Undergraduate Research provides advising and award funding to hundreds of students each year; a majority of these students are engaged in independent research and creative projects where they learn project management skills that will support their post-college aspirations.

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Fall Quarter Finding a Research Mentor Workshops

Our weekly Finding a Research Mentor Workshops (FARM) are appropriate for any student interested in getting started in research. Research mentors are essential for all research journeys – whether you are exploring how research occurs in certain fields, searching for available opportunities, or seeking expert advice on your own project. In our workshop, we’ll engage in activities to help you strengthen the skill of discovering and contacting research mentors. Hosted once per week, it should be easy to find one to fit your schedule! Visit the FARM webpage to RSVP.

Undergraduate Research Assistant Program

The Undergraduate Research Assistant Program funds inexperienced students to work with faculty who are in need of assistance on their own research projects. In doing so, students who do not have sufficient research experience to design and carry out their own independent project gain first-hand mentored knowledge of research practices in their discipline. Research assistants earn $16.25 per hour. Make an advising appointment to learn more!

Academic Year Undergraduate Research Grant

AYURGs provide up to $1,000 to pay for your research expenses to do an independent academic or creative project, in all fields of study, under faculty supervision. The project must be connected to an independent study or thesis seminar for at least one quarter during the academic year. There are five deadlines throughout the Fall and Winter Quarters, so you can have the opportunity to revise and resubmit your proposal! Make an advising appointment or visit the AYURG webpage to learn more.

Sign Up for the OUR Weekly Newsletter!

Be the first to know about Undergraduate Research news, grants, workshops, and more through our weekly newsletter! We’ll also share research tips, weekly memes, and community events. Sign up here!

From getting started to presenting your work

We help students with all aspects of the research process! Meet with an advisor to develop a plan that best matches your goals and interests.

Develop your interests, learn how to find faculty mentors, and learn how to read primary literature

Discover funding opportunities for a variety of class levels, interests, identities, and timelines

Access support for finding mentors and labs, developing your grant application, exploring research fields, and more

Receive one-on-one support from an advisor for any point along your research journey

Office of Undergraduate Research

Learn More

Sign Up for the OUR Weekly Newsletter!

From getting started to presenting your work

We help students with all aspects of the research process! Meet with an advisor to develop a plan that best matches your goals and interests.

Develop your interests, learn how to find faculty mentors, and learn how to read primary literature

Discover funding opportunities for a variety of class levels, interests, identities, and timelines

Access support for finding mentors and labs, developing your grant application, exploring research fields, and more

Receive one-on-one support from an advisor for any point along your research journey

Student Features

Gaby Nyambura WCAS'24 - SURG

Meet Gaby Nyambura, a senior majoring in Cognitive Science and Communication Studies and minoring in Psychology. Funded through an SURG, Gaby studied Chicago Catholics who attend Mass in Latin, exploring why they are a part of the community, how they think about various church teachings and contemporary issues, and how they think families and society should be structured.

Sam Nielsen WCAS'24 - SURG

Meet Sam Nielsen (he/him), a senior majoring in Physics. Funded through an SURG, he examined the pattern left behind when a suspension of particles in water evaporates to explore the role of particle shape in the drying suspensions.

Laila Simone Robinson SoC'24 - ULG

Meet Laila Simone Robinson (she/her), a senior majoring in Theatre (Costume Design) and minoring in Advanced Asian Languages. Funded through a ULG, she participated in the 8-week Korean Intensive Language Program hosted in Cheongju, South Korea by American Councils. Through the program, Laila significantly strengthened her reading and conversational skills, which she is developing to aid in her goal of working in the Korean entertainment industry as a costume designer.

Ishmael Bonsu Nyame NUQ'24 - ULG

Meet Ishmael Bonsu Nyame (he/him), a senior majoring in Journalism and minoring in Strategic Communications. Funded through a ULG, he studied French through virtual language program offered by Alliance Francaise, Ghana to pursue his goal of working as an investigative journalist and researcher for the Global Investigative Journalism Network in West Africa. Ishmael skillfully navigated a last-minute shift from his original plan of studying in Vichy, France to a virtual format, and through his self-discipline, responsibility, time management, and enthusiastic engagement with the Alliance Francaise program further strengthened his French language skills.

Teagan LeVar WCAS'24 - SURG

Meet Teagan LeVar, a senior majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Environmental Policy and Culture. Funded through an SURG, she researched how light availability and species’ order of arrival into a plant community impacts the competition between plant species commonly found in seed mixes used in oak woodland restorations.

Olivia Pierce Bienen'24 - SURG

Meet Olivia Pierce, a senior majoring in Musicology and minoring in Performance Studies. Funded through an SURG, Olivia developed an educational resource document that would equip musicians to perform Black & African works in a culturally appreciative rather than appropriative way.

Follow this link to learn more about these and previous featured students’ research!

OUR Video Series

Semple's Words

Undergraduate research is confusing. Howard Semple is just as confused as you are, and he’s hosting an advice talk show! Luckily, the show’s director Jamie and a steady parade of interns are there to help provide real answers. In this series, each episode covers a core problem that many students face in research, and it seeks to offer concrete, actionable advice to help you make the most of the amazing opportunity found in doing undergraduate research.

Follow this link to see the rest of the Semple’s Words series!

Research In...

Did you ever wonder how research is done in different disciplines? Want to learn the steps you need to take to get started? Our Research In… series showcases top faculty explaining how undergrads can get involved in 15 different fields! Learn how it works and see which one is right for you.

Follow this link to see the rest of the Research In… series!

The Adventures of Grant Man

Do you think research is for other people, not you? Are you nervous about talking to faculty? Would you like to take the lead in your education, doing what interests you for a change? Then, our web series is for you! Follow Kirsten, Juliana, and Alvin as they struggle through the process of creating a project connected to what they want to do this summer — plus, you’ll get to meet the mysterious Grant Man, who seems to have all the answers (and a cowboy hat to boot).

Follow this link to see the rest of the Adventures of Grant Man series!

Student Testimonials

In this series, you can hear directly from students who have done this stuff themselves. See about their experiences and get their advice for how you can achieve your goals. They discuss everything from how to get started to how research works across different fields.

Follow this link to see the rest of the Student Testimonials series!