| Happy Spring Semester! | Welcome back,
We are looking forward to a very busy spring semester here in the Office of Undergraduate Research. We have a wide variety of events coming up, including Research in the Capitol, the Quick Pitch Challenge, and the Spring Undergraduate Research Festival. Each of these is an opportunity for undergrads to share their story of their work in research and creative scholarship at Iowa. In addition to these, our Research Ambassadors have plans for workshops and social events, so be sure to follow us on social media to keep up to date with the latest news in the office.
We are still accepting applications for the Collaborative Research Projects, but space is filling up fast. Applications for the 2025 summer and the 2025-2026 academic year ICRU Fellowships are due later this semester, so be sure to think about getting your app in before those close. We can't wait to see what projects are happening on campus. Stay tuned!
Best,
Tawny Tibbits
Director, Office of Undergraduate Research | | | Presentation Opportunities | | | | Each year, 20 students from various universities (UI, ISU, and UNI) bring research posters to display at Iowa's Statehouse. Students use their posters as a backdrop to discuss their work with Iowa's legislators. This event also allows students to practice discussing their work with officials, outlining the community/global impact, educational benefits, and importance of their research. Research in the Capitol will be held on March 31st, 2025. Applications are now open and will close March 3rd, 2025.
Apply Here
| | | The Office of Undergraduate Research's Spring Undergraduate Research Festival (SURF) is held in celebration and recognition of undergraduate researchers' contributions to research, scholarly, and creative work at the University of Iowa. All students involved in mentored research or creative work are invited to present their work utilizing posters or other visual displays. SURF will be held on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025. Applications are now open and will close March 28th, 2025.
Register Here | | | | Job Opportunities Page Are you looking for research labs that are actively looking to hire undergraduates? Check out our Open Research Positions page. There is a wide variety of departments and fields to choose from, and it is updated any time a new research position opens up! Choose from labs that offer compensation, credit hours, or volunteer hours.
Can't find a lab on the website? No worries, visit the How to Start page on our website, or come visit us in Gilmore Hall. We can help you find opportunities, send out emails, and prepare for interviews. | | | ICRU Fellowships Looking for funding? The OUR funds undergraduate researchers in any discipline to work with UI faculty and staff on research projects throughout the summer or academic year. ICRU Fellows receive stipends between $2,500-$3,000 and gain valuable research experience that will set them up for future careers.
Apply Here
Summer application deadline: March 28, 2025
Academic year application deadline: April 11, 2025 | | | | Small grants of up to $1,000 are available to facilitate undergraduate research and creative scholarship. These funds are open for use for purchasing research supply materials as well as traveling to conduct research if the facilities or materials are not available at Iowa. | | | One-time grants are available to UI undergraduate researchers who are traveling to a professional conference or professional development event. Students can request up to $500 per application, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. | | | Engage With Your Research | | | | Make sure you're recognized for your research! Register for a 0-4 credit hour course, which can be pass/fail or graded.
OUR offers research courses each semester, available for registration through MyUI. All students involved in research and creative projects should have their experience recognized on their transcript. Having your involvement on your transcript is valuable when you apply to graduate or professional school or hit the job market. | | | We love research, and we hope you do too! That's why we will be spending the week of Valentine's showing you why we love research through some sweet events!
For updates and to see how you can get involved, check out the OUR social media pages on Instagram and LinkedIn. You might get a chance to be featured, learn some interesting facts, or get answers to your questions about research! | | | Faculty/Mentor Resources and Information | | | | Course Tagging If your course involves an undergraduate student conducting an investigation or research project that offers a new idea or creative contribution to the field, then it may be eligible for the undergraduate research tag. A course category is an optional identifier for courses that share a specific characteristic. Course tagging aims to help increase a courses presence on MyUI and increase the amount of students signing up for the course.
Click here to learn more and to fill out the tag request form. | | | As a new pilot program for the OUR, the Collaborative Research Project Program will fund faculty to work with 1-4 undergraduates on a single research or creative project together. This program will fund projects that are student-research-driven and will aim to improve student experiences while improving PI scholarship and research.
Apply Here
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. | | | Other News and Information |
Quick Pitch Challenge
The OUR will be hosting several events to allow undergraduate students to practice presenting their research or creative scholarships in the style of a three minute thesis. Students from all majors and departments are welcome to present at this event, and more information will be coming out in the February Newsletter!
Summer Research Opportunities
The Iowa Sciences Academy is seeking current sophomores and juniors involved in research to join the UI-MARC program during the academic year of 2025 - 2026. The UI-MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers) is an NIH-funded program that supports students committed to pursuing a research-focused PhD or MD/PhD program in the biomedical sciences (not intended for clinical only careers). The fellowship is for June 1, 2025 - May 30, 2026, during a student's junior or senior year.
The Kumar Lab is searching for undergraduates for their lab who have an interest in cell biology or animal studies. Their studies are looking into the cellular signaling pathways involved in vascular disease. Applications are ongoing.
Radiation Biology and Physics Undergraduate Research Summer Program
Join the Radiation Biology and Physics Undergraduate Research Summer Program and participate in a 10-week research experience under the mentorship of a faculty member. Research opportunities are available in radiation therapy, redox biology, traditional and medical physics, engineering, medical imaging, immunology, and more.
Cancer Research Opportunities at Iowa
The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center invites applications from interested graduates. Applications are open NOW (closing February 1, 2025).
Looking for a Unique Educational Experience as you Prepare for Professional or Graduate School?
If you are participating in research, you may be an excellent candidate for the Undergraduate Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS). Participating in this program is especially beneficial for students who are considering attending a health professions school or graduate school. Click here to learn more.
Follow OUR on Social Media
Want to see what we are up to? Follow us on social media to stay updated with all things research. We answer questions, send updates on what's happening, post about events, and talk about future opportunities. Check us out at: Instagram LinkedIn
Contact us:
Tawny Tibbits, OUR Director, tawny-tibbits@uiowa.edu
Liz Saathoff, OUR Associate Director, elizabeth-saathoff@uiowa.edu
Laura Kowalski-Bliss, OUR Coordinator, laura-kowalski-bliss@uiowa.edu
Office of Undergraduate Research
undergraduate-research@uiowa.edu
https://our.research.uiowa.edu
6 Gilmore Hall
319-335-8336 | | | |
