OUR Updates

Monthly updates on events and opportunities for undergraduates interested in research or creative scholarship.  

Register your Research
Do not forget to register your research!! 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.  

Important Dates and Deadlines

Research in the Capitol Applications Deadline
Fri, Mar 1st - RIC Presentation Application

Fellowship Applications Deadlines
Fri, Mar 29th - Summer Fellowship Applications
Fri, Apr 19th - Academic Year Fellowship Applications

Events
Mon, Mar 25th - Research in the Capitol
Wed, Apr 3rd - Spring Undergraduate Research Festival (SURF)

OUR Research Fellowships

Are you already involved in research on campus? Apply for OUR's Research Fellowship. The Office of Undergraduate Research Fellows Program has provided funding to over 2500 students to promote undergraduate engagement in research and creative projects. The program allows current University of Iowa undergraduates in any discipline to work with UI faculty or Professional & Scientific staff mentors on a specific project during the academic year and/or summer. 

To start the application process click here

Presentation Opportunities

Research in the Capitol

Research in the Capitol (RIC) takes students to the Iowa Statehouse to talk to Iowa's legislators about research and creative scholarships at all three regent universities (UI, ISU, and UNI). This year's RIC will be on Monday, March 25, 2024.  Applications will be accepted through March 1st and notification of selected participants will be posted by March 15th. To apply to present at the 2024 RIC - click here. 

Spring Undergraduate Research Festival

It's not too early to start thinking about presenting your research at SURF 2024!  This event will take place Wednesday, April 3rd in the afternoon.  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. Application portal opens Friday, Feb 2nd!

Research Opportunties

Open Research Positions

If you're looking to get involved in research, check out these listings of labs currently recruiting undergraduate researchers! This is not an exhaustive list of positions available.

Register 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.

Funding Opportunities

Research Supply Grant

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.

Student Travel Awards

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.

Other News and Information

Summer Research Experiences
Now is the time to start considering a summer research opportunity (Many programs have deadlines in January or February).  A great place to start your search for a summer research opportunity.  

Office of Scholar Development
The Office of Scholar Development (OSD) is available to assist University of Iowa undergraduates in their pursuit of national fellowship and funding opportunities.

American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Undergraduate Research Awards
The American Gastroenterological Association is accepting applications for two undergraduate programs, through February 1, 2024. Complete applicant eligibility, application requirements and award terms are found at gastro.org/undergraduate-funding.

Douglas W. Jones Memorial Research Grant
The Iowa Archeological Society (IAS) is offering a $1,000 student-oriented research grant.  The goal of this research grant is to support projects that advance those areas of research Doug Jones was most passionate about, which include but are not limited to: paleoethnobotany, collaboration and consultation with tribal communities, the Underground Railroad, or sundry other Iowa archaeology and history topics.  Complete details can be found at http://iowaarcheologicalsociety.org/grant-opportunities.
Deadline: May 1st, 2024

Summer Undergraduate Research Program - Univ Missouri.
The University of Missouri is accepting applications for their summer internship programs. Students will be provided with on-campus room and board, travel to and from Columbia and stipends that range from $3,400 – $5,400. In addition, many programs provide one credit hour of research.  

Iowa Cancer Research Experience (ICARE) Post-Baccalaureate Program
ICARE seeks recent college graduates (Fall 2023 or Spring 2024) looking to gain more research experience and who have a career trajectory toward doctoral cancer research. ICARE fellows would receive a stipend, benefits, professional development, career coaching, and travel to scientific conferences. Students from the University of Iowa can apply through this Application. The application deadline is February 16, 2024.

iDREAM Post-Baccalaureate Program in Neuroscience
iDream is an excellent opportunity for students interested in pursuing a Neuroscience PhD, looking to get more research experience, and strengthening their graduate school applications. Some benefits of the program include Bootcamp Introduction to Research, Near-Peer mentorship from Neuroscience PhD students, 2-year paid research experience, and access to both undergraduate and graduate level courses (tuition paid). Apply here by February 1, 2024 for best consideration; final deadline is March 1, 2024.

Searching for New OUR Ambassadors

If you or someone you know is looking to get involved, please look into becoming an OUR Ambassador. OUR's Research Ambassadors are a group of UI undergraduates who are actively involved in research and creative work on campus. They assist with campus recruiting and outreach, event planning, and other ways to promote undergraduate involvement.

To Learn More: https://our.research.uiowa.edu/our-ambassador-information 

Contact us:

Bob Kirby, Director, bob-kirby@uiowa.edu
Tawny Tibbits, Associate Director, tawny-tibbits@uiowa.edu
Laura Kowalski-Bliss, Program 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