Many faculty members welcome motivated undergraduate students of all classifications to contribute to their research. Follow these basic steps to get involved in undergraduate research:
- Review the Faculty by Research Area.
- Identify two to three faculty members whose research interests you.
- Request a meeting with the faculty members and include your resume.
- Meet with the faculty members and express your interest in his/her research.
- Ask if they have any paid or volunteer research opportunities for undergraduate students.
- Follow up your meeting with a brief thank you by email and reiterate your interest in their research.
- Meet with your academic advisor to discuss the possibility of receiving course credit.
Academy of Distinguished Alumni First and Second Year Undergraduate Research Program
First and second-year CAEE students are encouraged to apply for the Academy of Distinguished Alumni Undergraduate Research program. This highly selective program accepts 12 first and second-year students who are enrolled full-time (12 or more hours) to participate in faculty research projects and is supported by a $1500 award. Applications open at the beginning of each fall semester and remain open through late November/early December. Funding is available for the following spring and/or summer semesters.
Please check back soon for Fall 2025 submissions.
Students should submit both a resume and a one-page (maximum; single-spaced, 12-point font with 1” margins) statement that addresses the following:
- Specific career interest(s)
- A summary of why they are interested in research
- How they believe that participating in research will impact their academic and professional career
- Areas of research and/or faculty members they are interested in working with (applicants are encouraged to talk to faculty members about their interests)
- The semester the project will be completed (spring or summer)
Awardees must fulfill the following requirements as a part of the program:
- Participate in a canvas course in the spring and complete 2-3 research-related assignments
- Within 30 days of completing the program, write a one-page report thanking the Academy Members and summarizing their research experience.
- Prepare a poster summarizing the project that would be ready to use in a poster session.
Students will be assigned to a research unit based on project availability.
Fall 2024 applications are closed. Check back soon for Fall 2025 application openings.
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