OUR - Blog

Networking & Communication Opportunity - Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium (CAURS)

lsurber2@illinois.edu (Lisa Surber-Cunningham) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:00:00 CST

The Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium (CAURS) is one of the nation’s largest undergraduate research conferences, bringing together hundreds of students from across disciplines to showcase their work and connect with peers, faculty, and industry professionals. Join the excitement on April 11, 2026, in Chicago. Abstracts due by March 1!

Less than One Month Left to Apply to the 2026 Undergraduate Research Symposium!

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 08:00:00 CST

Less than one month left to apply to present at the 2026 Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS)! The URS, set for Thursday, April 30, 2026, is the signature event of Undergraduate Research Week (April 26 - May 2, 2026) and brings together students, faculty, and staff from all disciplines at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It's also open to friends, families, and the public who are interested in learning about undergraduate research and its impact. The deadline to apply is March 13 at 11:59 pm.

Please see the full post to learn more.

Image of Research - 2026 Undergraduate Research Competition

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 08:00:00 CST

The Image of Research — UR Edition is a multidisciplinary competition celebrating the diversity and breadth of undergraduate student research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. All undergraduate students are invited to submit entries consisting of an image and brief text that articulates how the image relates to the research. “Research” is defined broadly to include creative and scholarly work in all fields. The image submitted can represent your work either concretely or abstractly. Perhaps it is an image of your research itself, an activity related to your research, or the impact of your research.

For more information, see full post.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: IHSI Community-Academic Scholars Program

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 15:15:00 CST

The Community-Academic Scholars (CAS) program is a 10-week summer research experience empowering undergraduates in all majors to address real-world challenges across health, equity, and community well-being in Champaign-Urbana. Scholars are matched with an Illinois researcher and a community organization to work on a project designed to directly benefit the community members served by the partner organization.

This is a paid research experience.

For more information, including how to apply, please see full blog post.

Maleiha Carino Foundation Scholarship for Cancer Research Advancement - APPLICATIONS DUE SOON

lsurber2@illinois.edu (Lisa Surber-Cunningham) — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 08:45:00 CST

The Maleiha Carino Foundation Scholarship for Cancer Research Advancement recognizes outstanding contributions made by undergraduate researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the field of cancer research. This encompasses various aspects of cancer research, including basic, translational, clinical, and social/cultural dimensions.

Spring 2026 Workshops

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 10:45:00 CST

Looking to get involved in research or hone your research skills? The Office of Undergraduate Research offers a number of undergraduate research workshops to all students throughout the university. From getting started with the research process to learning to effectively present your work at a conference or symposium, these workshops give students a clearer understanding of participating in different aspects of research as an undergraduate.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Impact of Climate Change on Plant Carbon-Nitrogen Balance (Genomics/Physiology)

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 13:30:00 CST

The Brooks lab is looking for an undergraduate research assistant who is interested in gaining experience in physiology and genomics. Work in the lab is aimed at understanding how photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism are coordinated and how these processes will respond to climate change.

Duties will include growing plants, helping carry out experiments, analyzing data, and assisting with general laboratory maintenance. Specific techniques that are used in the lab are RNA/DNA extractions, PCR, cloning, and measuring nitrogen and photosynthetic traits by various techniques.

This is a paid research experience, and is ongoing.

For more information, including how to apply, please see full blog posting.

Illinois Undergraduate Research Ambassadors - Call for Applications

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 11:00:00 CST

Want to inspire and support the next generation of undergraduate researchers at Illinois? The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is looking for motivated and personable undergraduate students in all majors who are excited to introduce and support peers through the Illinois research experience as an Illinois Undergraduate Research Ambassador (IURA). If you have participated in a research project, be it through coursework, assisting faculty, research staff, or graduate students, or conducting a mentored project of your own, we invite you to apply to become an Ambassador and help other students along their research journeys.  We are particularly interested in adding students in humanities, arts, business, and education to our team of Ambassadors. 

This application is for Ambassador positions for AY 2026–27 (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027). Ambassadors are paid $15 per hour and are expected to work 30 hours per semester. Selected ambassadors are expected to be able to commit to working both semesters. During Spring 2026, new hires will undergo onboarding and orientation where they will receive all necessary training on being an Ambassador as well as be expected to work 4 hours at the Undergraduate Research Symposium on April 30, 2026 (times to be scheduled).

For more information, including how to apply, please see full description.

Maleiha Carino Foundation Scholarship for Cancer Research Advancement

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 10:45:00 CDT

Students & Families, You're Invited! 2025 Undergraduate Research Showcase

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 09:30:00 CDT

We invite students and their families and friends to attend the Undergraduate Research Showcase and a guided tour of the Beckman Biomedical Imaging Center. Scheduled over Dads Weekend, this event celebrates the incredible undergraduate research happening across campus. An invited and featured cohort of students will present their research projects spanning science, engineering, humanities, and the arts. It’s a great opportunity to support your peers, explore diverse research topics, and connect with OUR staff and student researchers. For families, it is also a chance to see the outstanding research enterprise and types of opportunities that are available at Illinois. Light refreshments will be served.

See the full post for information on how to register for these events.

Accepting Applications to First-Gen Scholars Research Program

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 13:00:00 CDT

The First-Gen Scholars Research Program (FGSRP), now entering its second year, offers first-generation college students who are federal work-study eligible the opportunity to engage in paid, hands-on research with a faculty mentor while building skills, confidence, and community. Participants work 10 hours per week, earn $17/hour through Federal Work-Study, and take part in cohort activities that support their academic and professional growth.

Applications for the 2025–26 cohort are due Monday, November 3, 2025, at 5:00 PM.

Learn more about the program, application requirements, and upcoming informational sessions on our website: go.illinois.edu/FGSRP.

Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP @ UI) - Undergrad Applications

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 07:00:00 CDT

The application for URAP @ UI, our Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program, is now open. Deadline for applications is October 10, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

Stay Connected with Undergraduate Research at Illinois

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 09:00:00 CDT

It is now easier than ever before to stay notified! Sign up for the Office of Undergraduate Research monthly email newsletter to receive occasional emails about research programs, events, opportunities, and helpful information for current and aspiring undergraduate researchers. Students are encouraged to sign up at: go.illinois.edu/subscribeOUR

2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium Award Winners!

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Tue, 20 May 2025 09:15:00 CDT

Congratulations to our 2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium award winners!

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Saif Lab -- Cancer Mechanobiology

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Fri, 02 May 2025 13:45:00 CDT

Join Cutting-Edge Cancer Mechanobiology Research!

The Saif Lab is seeking a motivated and curious Undergraduate Research Assistant to join our lab for Summer 2025!

Our research focuses on Cancer Mechanobiology, a field that explores how mechanical forces and stiffnesses influence cancer progression and the microenvironment. We are developing high-throughput systems capable of performing multiple biological assays to accelerate drug discovery and viability assays.

This is a Summer 2025 opportunity for course credit.

For more information and how to apply, please see the full description.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: DIVISION OF NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES--Arabic Video & Survey Creation

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 12:15:00 CDT

Arabic-speaking undergraduate students sought to join a research project focused on developing culturally tailored online content for a weight loss program. Students will help convert educational materials into short, engaging videos using PowerPoint or Canva, record audio in Arabic, and assist in building related surveys using REDCap (training provided).

This opportunity is available now through the summer, with the possibility of continuing into the fall. Students can earn 1 credit hour for their participation. The expected time commitment is around 1 hour per week.

For more information including how to apply, please see full description.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Gies Business Research Lab Undergrad RA's

ugresearch@illinois.edu (0ffice of Undergraduate Research) — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 12:00:00 CDT

Gies Business Research Lab is seeking applications for Fall 2025 GBRL undergraduate research assistants (2-3 positions available):

This is a paid position and is in-person. Afternoon and early evening availability is required. Maximum of 10 hours per week. MUST be an undergraduate student.

For more information and how to apply, please see full description.

Undergraduate Research Week 2025 Is Here!

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 13:00:00 CDT

The 2025 Undergraduate Research Week is here, and the final program has been posted!

The Undergraduate Research Week showcases the best of undergraduate research and creative inquiry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Campus events include special exhibits and colloquia sponsored by individual departments, programs, and units, highlighting the best of our students’ work. The Undergraduate Research Symposium (All day on Thursday, April 24 in the Illini Union) is URW’s day-long signature event where hundreds of students from all academic disciplines share their research through oral panels, poster presentations, and performances. We invite you to come be inspired!.

You can find a link to the URW 2025 program here: http://undergradresearch.illinois.edu/researchweek.html

Stay up-to-date on URW events by following us on X @ugresearch_UI, Facebook @UGResearchIllinois, and Instagram @ugresearch_UI

First-Generation Scholars Research Program provides research experience and more

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 11:45:00 CDT

First-Generation Scholars Research Program provides research experience and more

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY - Computer Science: 3D Change Detection-Video Dataset Creationi

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 13:45:00 CDT

Research opportunity available in Computer Science to help create a video dataset.

Currently accepting applications (start ASAP). No specific skills required. This is a paid position ($15/hr, 10 hours/week)

For more information, please see full description.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Food Science - Fiber Structure and Mechanics in Foods

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 13:30:00 CDT

FiberMech project opportunity for an undergraduate student to work on a project that aims to unravel the link between structure of gels made of model fibers and their mechanical properties. Student will investigate how gel topology affects its mechanics.

This is an ongoing, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 opportunity for course credit, though funding may be available for Summer 2025.

For more information, please see full description.

OUR's New Office Sticker

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 09:00:00 CST

And the Winner Is…

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: IHSI 2025 Summer Community-Academic Scholar Program

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 15:30:00 CST

The Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute 2025 Community-Academic Scholar program is a 10-week summer research experience empowering Illinois undergraduates in all majors to address critical issues in the local community. Scholars work with an Illinois researcher and community organization on a research project designed to directly benefit the community members served by the partner organization.

This is a paid research position for Summer 2025: $4500 stipend.

Deadline to apply: February 6, 2025.

For more information on this summer program and how to apply, please see full description.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Linguistics

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 13:15:00 CST

Opportunity to assist in language teaching research for the MA TESOL practicum at the Champaign-Urbana refugee center. Duties include interpreting for interviews and analyzing oral or written information.

This is a paid research opportunity for Spring 2025.

For more information, and how to apply, please see full description.

Maleiha Carino Foundation Scholarship for Cancer Research Advancement

ugresearch@illinois.edu (Office of Undergraduate Research) — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 11:00:00 CST