Now in its second year of collaboration, the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and the Graduate College offer the opportunity for first and second-year undergraduate students (including transfer students) to assist advanced graduate students (those who have completed all coursework requirements and are in the dissertation research stage) with their research projects. Through a one-on-one research experience with their graduate student mentor, undergraduate students will have the opportunity to learn what it means to do research, create knowledge, and produce scholarship. Undergraduate students will begin work with their mentors in Spring 2017.
Undergraduate researchers will be given flexible course credit, at a minimum of 2 (equal to approximately 6 hours per week) and a maximum of 3 credit hours (equal to approximately 9 hours per week). Undergraduate students will attend regular (biweekly, i.e., every other week) class meetings with OUR and Grad College instructors, as well as work one-on-one with their graduate mentors. Students will also complete a final project, consisting of a research poster, to be presented during “Undergraduate Research Week” sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR).
WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE READ ALL OF THE FOLLOWING AS THERE IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BOTH HOW TO APPLY, REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION, AND WHERE TO FIND GRADUATE MENTOR PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS, ETC.
Application is open to all registered freshman and sophomore students (both domestic and international); transfer students who are juniors may also apply. As part of the application, students will provide a statement of interest that speaks to why they are interested in participating in URAP @ UI, rank their top 3 project choices, and provide a brief essay outlining why they have chosen those projects. Please read the project descriptions carefully. While these projects are meant for students with few or no research skills, participation in this pilot program does require diligence, enthusiasm and commitment.
- To apply: Undergraduate students should apply through the online application available at the following link: go.illinois.edu/URAP_UG.
- Graduate mentor project descriptions can be found here.
Deadline for applications is Wednesday, November 2, 2016. Finalists will be notified on November 11, and meet with graduate student mentors between November 11 and November 18. Final selection will be made by graduate mentors. Undergraduate students selected to participate will be notified by November 18. Successful applicants will be given course CRN, etc., in order to register for the Spring 2017 semester.
Informational meetings are scheduled for Friday October 14, Friday October 21, and Friday October 28, from 4-4:50pm in 1092 Lincoln Hall. Get tips on creating a good statement of interest, why you should participate, and get your questions answered.
Questions may be addressed to: ugresearch@illinois.edu. Please put “URAP” in the subject line.
