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Undergraduate Research Scholarships (URS) are awarded by the University Admissions Office to propsective freshmen. If you have a URS, you probably know it. If you are a current University undergraduate seeking financial support for research or a creative activity, you should go to the How to Start link.
Note: URS students do not need to follow UROP deadlines; URS applications are submitted directly to the UROP Office and not through this web site.
URS students are given a scholarship for a research project done in conjunction with a faculty mentor. Scholarships must be used in the first two years of college study (projects must be completed by the end of the summer following the sophomore year). The scholarship includes two payments of $700 each directly into the student's account, and up to $300 in expense money. Students must submit an application (application form, proposal and mentor recommendation) prior to beginning the research. At the end of the project, students must submit a final report, an evaluation and do a presentation before receiving the final $700.
1. Getting Started: Your first goal is to determine your area(s) of research interest. URS projects can either be based on a student's idea or can be centered around a faculty member's already existing project. You need to decide where your interests lie in order to find the appropriate mentor.
2. Find a Faculty Mentor: If you need some ideas on where to find a faculty mentor, look here. Some important things to keep in mind are: approach specific faculty members with some idea of what their research is about (you can find this on departmental web sites) so that you show them you are serious about working with them; be persistent - if someone says "no," ask them for a recommendation of others you might approach; start the process well before your scholarship is due to run out so you have time to complete the application and the project.
3. Complete the Application: Once you have a mentor, and the two of you have discussed what your project will entail, you will need to fill out the application form (in the Forms Library) and write the proposal (there are samples proposals on there as well). Please fill the form out completely as all information is required. Look at the tip sheet on writing a good proposal. The application form and the mentor's recommendation form are also in the Forms Library. Once these are completed, they are submitted directly to the UROP Office in 233 Appleby Hall or electronically to Vicky Munro at munro001@umn.edu. Faculty mentors should submit the recommendation form themselves in the same way.
4.Special Requirements: Some URS projects require special permissions before your project can be approved. If your project involves Human Subjects, Animal Subjects, Harmful or Dangerous Substances or involves Travel Abroad, you need to make sure you have taken the appropriate steps to get these permissions as you prepare your application.
5. Ask!: If you have any questions or issues as you prepare a URS application, please make sure to ask. The first contact for URS questions and help is Josie Faue, UROP Assistant, fauex009@umn.edu or 612-625-6939.
Important tip: once you have completed your URS project, you are eligible to apply for a regular UROP award. We encourage you to take advantage of as many opportunities as you can while an undergraduate here.
URS applications may be submitted at any time. You must complete your project before the start of your junior year.
