About the Office of Undergraduate Research

• We promote research and creative activity efforts of U of I students.
• We fund research and creative activity efforts of U of I students.
• We provided a forum to showcase research and creative activity efforts of U of I students.

How do we do this?

• OUR Competitive Grants Program, providing financial assistance for undergraduates undertaking research projects and for students traveling to present their results at conferences.
• U of I Undergraduate Research Symposium, a university-wide event.
• Information sessions and guidance for students interested in getting involved in research.
• A searchable database for undergraduate research opportunities.
• Outreach to faculty, including resources and workshops for faculty interested in mentoring undergraduate researchers.
• Curricular approaches that encourage the development of opportunities for undergraduate engagement in research and creative activities.
• Efforts to increase resources and funding to expand undergraduate research activities at University of Idaho.

Undergraduate research is “an inquiry or investigation by an undergraduate student that makes original, intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline…” — The Council on Undergraduate Research 

While the meaning of “research” and how it is conducted varies from discipline to discipline, we recognize a common theme across all disciplines: Research as a process of inquiry that leads to discovery. This holds true whether one is conducting research in the sciences, where the approach may involve testing hypotheses, or in the fine arts, where research may involve the creation of new works or techniques. The Office of Undergraduate Research strives to enable undergraduate involvement in this process of inquiry in all disciplines at University of Idaho.

Undergraduate research is an opportunity to perform an in-depth study, gain transferable skills, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, define academic and professional interests and reinforce coursework through hands-on experiences. Undergraduate research experience help better prepare students for employment, graduate school or professional school. Furthermore, students who engage in undergraduate research may also be able to earn credit toward their major and/or receive money to do research.