How to Get Involved in Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Undergraduate research offers invaluable experiences for students across all disciplines. From assisting on faculty-led projects to pursuing independent inquiries, these opportunities foster critical thinking, enhance academic skills, and provide a competitive edge for future endeavors. This article explores diverse avenues for undergraduates to engage in research, providing insights into various programs, resources, and strategies for success.

Understanding Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate research encompasses a wide range of activities, where students actively participate in scholarly investigations under the guidance of faculty mentors. These experiences can take many forms, including assisting with ongoing faculty projects, conducting independent research, or participating in course-based research initiatives. The key is active involvement in the process of discovery and knowledge creation.

Academic research varies across departments, reflecting the diverse approaches scholars use to analyze evidence and generate new insights. Understanding these differences is crucial for students seeking research opportunities that align with their interests and academic goals. The Research Cycle provides a useful framework for visualizing the research process, highlighting the iterative nature of inquiry and the importance of each stage, from formulating questions to disseminating findings.

Types of Research Projects

Undergraduate research projects come in various forms, each offering unique learning experiences:

Assist on a Faculty-Led Project

In many disciplines, research is a collaborative endeavor. Students can assist on a faculty-member's research project or do research as part of a lab or research group.

While there are opportunities to work on collaborative research projects in many disciplines, this is the primary way that research is set up in the sciences and engineering. Assisting on an ongoing project can be a good way for beginning students to get started. You do not need to have your own idea to get started, you just find someone who is doing research that looks interesting and ask if you can help.

Student-Initiated Project

Students can also pursue their own research interests and ideas through independent projects. They still work with a faculty research mentor to guide the project, but the idea behind the project originates with the student.

Student-driven projects are more common in some academic areas, such as the humanities and arts, and are less common in the sciences. For a student-initiated project, students get advice from their research mentor to help develop their research questions and methods. While students early in their time can do an independent project, students often wait until they have had a few courses in their major so they have a foundation from which to build their project.

Course-Based Research Project

Many students get started in research by taking a class that involves a larger research component. Also keep in mind that some of the research on campus is interdisciplinary (i.e. it crosses degree and subject areas), so interesting opportunities may exist outside of your major. Some classes involve course-based research.

Finding Research Opportunities

Several avenues exist for undergraduates seeking research opportunities:

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Faculty Connections

Direct Outreach: Reach out to professors whose research aligns with your interests. Express your enthusiasm and inquire about potential opportunities to assist with their projects.
Networking: Attend departmental seminars, conferences, and workshops to connect with faculty and learn about their research.
Faculty Profiles: Explore faculty profiles on university websites to identify researchers whose work resonates with you.

University Programs and Resources

Undergraduate Research Offices: Many universities have dedicated offices that provide resources, workshops, and guidance on finding research opportunities.
Online Databases: Utilize online databases that list available research projects and faculty seeking undergraduate assistants.
Research Centers and Institutes: Explore research centers and institutes affiliated with your university, as they often offer research opportunities for undergraduates.

External Programs

NSF REU Sites and Supplements: The National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program offers research opportunities across the United States and the world. Faculty can apply for funding to support a cohort of undergraduate students in research projects designed specifically for the NSF REU program (an REU Site) or can apply for additional funding to involve undergraduate students in a new or ongoing NSF-funded research project (an REU Supplement). Undergraduates (college and university students) can apply directly to REU Sites to participate in research projects across the United States and the world. REU-supported students receive stipends and in many cases assistance with housing, meals and travel.
Summer Research Programs: Participate in summer research programs at your university or other institutions to gain intensive research experience. The U-M Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) creates research opportunities for students who are underrepresented in their field of study. You’ll have the opportunity to conduct intensive research across a variety of disciplines. SURE brings a breadth of students to the College of Engineering by offering graduate-level research experience to all rising undergraduate students. You will have the opportunity to participate in full-time summer research with some of the country’s leading faculty in a wide range of engineering disciplines. This program gives you the chance to explore and discover your interests and potential in pursuing research at the Masters or Ph.D.

Preparing for Research

Develop Relevant Skills: Acquire foundational knowledge and skills in your field of interest through coursework, workshops, and independent study.
Craft a Strong Application: Prepare a compelling resume and cover letter highlighting your academic achievements, research interests, and relevant skills.
Seek Guidance: Consult with academic advisors, career counselors, and mentors to refine your application materials and prepare for interviews.

Maximizing the Research Experience

Communicate Effectively: Maintain open and frequent communication with your research mentor, seeking guidance and feedback as needed. Good communication: when deciding whether you want to work with a faculty member, be honest and realistic about the number of hours that you have available.
Take Initiative: Proactively seek opportunities to contribute to the research project, demonstrating your enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
Attend Seminars and Workshops: Participate in research-related seminars and workshops to expand your knowledge and network with other researchers.
Present Your Work: Share your research findings through presentations at conferences, workshops, and university events. Present your work The 2026 Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity Conference will be held April 14-15, in the Bryant Conference Center. UA is an incubator for leading-edge research, with many opportunities for students to work with faculty members to advance knowledge. The university-wide Undergraduate Arts & Research Showcase provides an opportunity for undergraduates to share their expertise with the larger university community. This showcase will show the variety of academic work that our undergraduate students are doing across the university. Undergraduate students are invited to participate in the 2025 ACC Meeting of the Minds Conference at the University of Pittsburgh.
Seek Publication Opportunities: Collaborate with your mentor to publish your research findings in peer-reviewed journals or conference proceedings.
Embrace Challenges: View challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, persevering through setbacks and seeking support when needed.

University-Specific Opportunities

Many universities offer specific programs and resources to support undergraduate research:

University of Alabama: UA is an incubator for leading-edge research, with many opportunities for students to work with faculty members to advance knowledge. Randall Research Scholars ProgramRRSP is a nationally recognized undergraduate research program that pairs exceptional students with leading research professors and cutting-edge computing technology.
University of Louisville: Designated as a Carnegie Research 1 University, the University of Louisville gives you the opportunity to partner with internationally renowned faculty who work at the forefront of discovery in their respective disciplines. Participation in research and creative activity involves a collaborative partnership between a student and a faculty or graduate student mentor.
University of Kansas (KU): View KU specific undergraduate research programs, resources, etc. Your research mentors do not expect you to know what you are doing on the first day: that is where their role as a research mentor comes in. You will start with entry-level tasks that begin with your skill level and build up from there. Your role is to show up, try hard, and ask questions when you don't understand something. While most students do not have prior experience doing research, some professors might want you to have taken a certain class before doing research with them. Other faculty are really interested in having first-semester freshmen start in their research groups. As you start reaching out to faculty and talking with them, you'll learn more about any prerequisites that certain professors might have. Students in every major on campus can do undergraduate research, whether that is in English, business or psychology. No white lab coats required. Student projects in creative fields, like visual art, photography, or music composition, are also considered to be undergraduate research. Though funding is not available for all students to be paid, there are opportunities out there. Our office offers the Undergraduate Research Awards. Faculty with research grants sometimes post paid hourly research jobs on the KU jobs site. Certain programs, like the KU McNair Scholars Program and MARC Program, provide financial support and encourage students from low-income backgrounds to apply. You can also talk with professors in your department about opportunities that they are aware of. Course credit: some students enroll in independent study or undergraduate research credit hours instead of taking an elective in their major. That way, you are doing research as part of your regular course load, rather than something on top of it. Just be sure you talk with your academic advisor to make sure these credits count toward something you need for your degree, since you will have to pay tuition.
University of Michigan: Faculty. Facilities. Come to Michigan and be part of research that can only happen here. Our world-class faculty do all kinds of research with grants of all sizes, empowering students to become key contributors along the way. Considering a PhD? Connect with the people who will become your advisors and collaborators. Looking for someone specific? Want to dig deeper in your field or make your graduate school application pop? Follow your curiosity and build your technical and professional skills by working on an innovative, faculty-led research project through the Multidisciplinary Design Program. Our award-winning Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) pairs first- and second-year students with U-M faculty and research scientists to create research partnerships. Getting started in undergraduate research involves two important components. We offer a one-credit course entitled “UNIV199: Introduction to Directed Research” in both fall and spring semesters. It is designed for those interested in-but not yet working on-research, scholarship, and creative activities. Undergraduates currently involved in research serve as “peer mentors” and are available to meet with you. Their experience and training will help them answer your questions, such as how to get started, options for financial support for your efforts, and finding the right mentor. The Office of Undergraduate Research offers a number of information sessions on getting involved with undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activities.
Washington State University (WSU): Some classes at WSU involve course-based research.

Funding and Compensation

Though funding is not available for all students to be paid, there are opportunities out there. Certain programs, like the KU McNair Scholars Program and MARC Program, provide financial support and encourage students from low-income backgrounds to apply. You can also talk with professors in your department about opportunities that they are aware of. Course credit: some students enroll in independent study or undergraduate research credit hours instead of taking an elective in their major. That way, you are doing research as part of your regular course load, rather than something on top of it. Just be sure you talk with your academic advisor to make sure these credits count toward something you need for your degree, since you will have to pay tuition. Faculty with research grants sometimes post paid hourly research jobs on the KU jobs site. REU-supported students receive stipends and in many cases assistance with housing, meals and travel.

Dispelling Common Misconceptions

Research is only for science majors: Students in every major on campus can do undergraduate research, whether that is in English, business or psychology. No white lab coats required. Student projects in creative fields, like visual art, photography, or music composition, are also considered to be undergraduate research.
You need prior experience: Your research mentors do not expect you to know what you are doing on the first day: that is where their role as a research mentor comes in. You will start with entry-level tasks that begin with your skill level and build up from there. Your role is to show up, try hard, and ask questions when you don't understand something. While most students do not have prior experience doing research, some professors might want you to have taken a certain class before doing research with them. Other faculty are really interested in having first-semester freshmen start in their research groups.

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