Office of Undergraduate Research

The best way to get started is to find a professor to work with. They usually have projects already in progress that they need help with or they may have some unique spinoff idea from their research that they want to try. Schedule a meeting with them and have an open mind to their ideas.

There are many ways. Some professors advertise open positions in their classes or through their departments. Others prefer being emailed. Others know you are committed if you show up at their office door. Really, the best way is to find a professor whose work you think is interesting (because you checked their personal websites or recent publications) is to reach out in one or more of the ways described above. Below is a “proper” way to introduce yourself or your interest in joining their project. If it’s a professor you have never met in a department where you have had courses, it might help to let them know who you know in that department or in that field of study. Giving professors names of people they can reach out to for a recommendation can be important.

Use this as a template, replacing and updating components as needed:

[Direct Subject Heading]

Interested in Discussing Undergraduate Research Possibilities

[Correct Salutation, such as "Dr.", "Professor", etc.]

[Reason for interest] My name is {Joe Vandal} and I am a {year in school} majoring in {major}. I have recently completed {class or sequence of classes} and in our course discussion, your research was mentioned by {professor name} when they discussed {topic}. I then found your website and looking at your core research interests, I wanted to inquire about the possibility of learning more and/or joining your group as {an undergraduate researcher and/or do an undergraduate creative arts project under your guidance}.[Availability] This upcoming semester, I will be taking {number} of credits and have room in my schedule to participate on {schedule availability}.

[Low stakes to learn more] If there is space in your research group and/or a project I could join, would it be possible {to set up a quick conversation or for me to attend one of your upcoming group meetings or meet with a current undergraduate researcher in your group or meet with a graduate student or post-doc in your group to discuss potential projects}?

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing back.

{Joe Vandal}

No, the research does not need to be in your major. Many projects venture beyond a specific topic or major, diving into aspects you may not ever have thought of. Many projects could benefit from your point of view or from the techniques you have learned in your major. That said, some may be more appropriate if you have had similar pre-requisite courses as needed in that major.

That depends. Some positions have funding (from Grants or from Work-Study), others offer Undergraduate Research or Creative Activity / Independent Study course credit. Most often students begin their research or creative activity for course credit and get paid for research later or during a summer. Make sure you and your faculty have this worked out. In many of our research labs on campus students are not allowed (safety violation) to volunteer. Make sure there is compensation, either credit or pay, before you begin your research or creative activity.

Yes. Many departments have course CRNs where students can re-enroll over multiple semesters. Generally, students do not receive more than 1 or 2 credits each semester for their projects. You are students first and your coursework is important. Your research / creative activities are engaging – but do not let them interfere with your coursework.

The OUR offers three types of funding:

• Semester awards , which provide $1,000 in project funds.
• Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) awards, which provide $5,000 per 10 weeks of the summer. $6,500 goes to the student as a stipend, and $1,000 is provided for project funds.
• Travel awards, which provide up to $800 for travel expenses.

Application due dates:

• Spring semester awards: Nov. 1
• Fall semester awards: April 15
• SURF awards: Feb. 15
• Travel awards: Rolling

No, you do not need to be a STEM major to receive funding. The OUR funds students from all colleges for many research or creative ideas. The rules are the same: you will have a faculty mentor and must write a proposal. Sometimes – instead of an abstract – you’ll write an “artist’s statement”. Everything depends on the project.

To apply for funding, you need to have a faculty mentor. The application for funding can be found on our site. Work with your mentor to develop a potential research proposal with both timeline and budget, with budget justification. The application includes:

• A cover page,
• A 3-4 page written proposal with references, and
• A budget with justification.

Learn more about OUR Funding.

Yes. Travel grants are the third type of grant that we fund and can be used to travel to research sites, to conferences or to perform a creative activity. For all awards, including travel, a letter from the research or creative activity advisor is necessary to help explain the trip and if other sources of funding are being utilized. Travel grants can also be found on our site. Remember the maximum amount is $800.

Technically, you can apply for funding as soon as you have identified a faculty mentor and have your proposal ready to submit. You must be a full-time student and must commit to presenting your project at the Annual OUR Research Symposium.

The OUR has worked with faculty to develop the “I-SURE” — the Idaho Spotlight on Undergraduate Research Experiences. We are hoping to entice more students to load up their stories to I-SURE. Contact the OUR for more details.

Kristopher Waynant
Office of Undergraduate Research Director
kwaynant@uidaho.edu
208-885-6768