| | Get Ready for a FURF-tastic Fall!
November is here, and with it comes the Fall Undergraduate Research Festival. The office is working hard to prepare for a great FURF, featuring over 130 student posters on a wide range of topics. Be sure to mark your calendar to join us on November 19th in the 2nd floor of the UCC. Presentations with digital or physical materials will be highlighted in 2520D in the UCC to give presenters ample space to truly showcase their work. Be sure to stop by and check it out.
We are accepting nominations for Distinguished Mentor Awards and Excellence in Undergraduate Research Awards (DMA and EURA), be sure to get yours in.
Happy researching!
Tawny Tibbits, Director | | We need faculty, graduate/professional students, post-docs, professional staff, and community members to serve as judges for the Fall Undergraduate Research Festival. Sign up today! | | | Join Us at FURF Next Week! | | | | The Fall Undergraduate Research Festival (FURF) is next Wednesday, November 19th! Join the OUR in celebrating over 150 undergraduate researchers on campus on the 2nd floor of the United Capitol Center (UCC), from 3:30- 6:00 pm. They will present their incredible contributions to research, scholarly, and creative work through poster presentations or other visual displays. Don't forget to visit the exhibit hall (Room 2520D) to see art displays and treats.
Click here to see the program of presenters | | | Calling for judges! Interested in helping the undergraduate community improve their research and communication skills? We need faculty, graduate/professional students, post-docs, professional staff, and community members to provide feedback to undergraduate researchers presenting at FURF.
Sign up to judge here, or click here for more information about FURF judging | | | | The 2026 Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award (EURA) is now accepting nominations. Faculty are invited to nominate an undergraduate researcher who goes above and beyond in their work. The OUR will select five of the nominees to present this award to, which comes with an OUR Fellowship and a travel scholarship to attend a research program or event. Applications will close January 12th.
Nominate A Student Here | | | The 2026 Distinguished Mentor Award (DMA) is now accepting nominations. Students are invited to nominate their faculty research mentor to thank them for all of their time, dedication, and talents. This award will go to two outstanding recipients who work with undergraduate researchers, and OUR will provide funding to continue their work with students. Applications will close January 12th.
Nominate A Mentor Here | | | | Want to support a team of 2 - 4 undergraduate students?
The Group Creative Research by Undergraduates (GCRU) fellowship is open for the Spring and Summer of 2026. This program funds 2-4 undergraduates working together on a cohesive research or creative project with a faculty member. Each researcher receives up to $2,500 for the academic year, and $3,000 for the summer term. These projects are faculty designed, student-research driven, and emphasize collaborative opportunities.
Apply to GRCU now! | | | The Iowa Archeological Society (IAS) is offering a $1,000 student-oriented research grant in honor of Doug Jones, a long-time State Historical Society of Iowa employee who unexpectedly passed away in late 2016. Applications are due May 1, 2026. The goal of this research grant is to support projects that advance those areas of research Doug 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.
Click here to learn more | | | | We have lots of funding available for undergraduate researchers in need of supplies to support their work! Up to $1,000 in funds is available for undergraduates who are purchasing research supply materials or traveling to conduct research. Click here for more information about Supply Grants.
| | | The OUR is excited to announce the Poster Printing Award! Undergraduates can use this award towards the cost of printing a poster for a conference. Applications will be on a rolling basis. For more information, click here. | | | | Halloween Social This Halloween, we were frightfully curious! The OUR staff and ambassadors passed out candy and stickers on T. Anne Cleary. We also had a VIP draw in a crowd- meet Pepper, our director's new puppy!
To catch up with our social events like the Halloween social, check out our Instagram. | | | ERS was a success! On Saturday, Oct 11th, we had over 70 undergraduate students attend the Entering Research Symposium. Led by OUR Ambassadors who shared their knowledge in undergraduate research, a multitude of presentations were given to help students connect with research opportunities. Thank you to all of those who attended! | | | Other News and Information |
Looking for an Undergraduate Research Job?
If you would like to get started in research, check out the Open Research Positions Page on the OUR website. While this page is not an exhaustive list, the opportunities listed are updated constantly at the request of faculty actively looking for students to join their research efforts. To find other research opportunities not found on this page, take a look at our How to Get Started guidelines here.
Undergraduate Biomedical Summer Research Opportunity
Through both SURE and InSPIRE, two paid undergraduate research opportunities are available at the Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota. This 10-week program will give undergraduates hands-on biomedical research experience as well as professional development skills. For more information, click here.
Summer and Academic Year Fellowships
The Independent Creative Research by Undergraduates (ICRU) Fellowships will open in January! The $3,000 summer research fellowship application will be open from January 2nd- February 6th. Academic year fellowships, consisting of $2,500, will be open from February 13th- March 27th.
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, PhD, OUR Director
Liz Saathoff, MPH, OUR Associate Director
Laura Kowalski-Bliss, OUR Coordinator
Office of Undergraduate Research
undergraduate-research@uiowa.edu
https://our.research.uiowa.edu
6 Gilmore Hall
319-335-8336 | | | |
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