Our office is here to support you as you pursue your research journey. Our services and programs include:
Find support for your research
Advising
Obtain guidance on a variety of research matters including identifying presentation opportunities, finding a mentor, and locating funding for your research.
Summer Research Program
Get a jumpstart on your research career through the College's Summer Experience, an eight-week program of intensive research and professionalization activities.
Peer networking
Connect with other student researchers across a variety of fields who can offer advice and support through your student research experience.
Professional development
Participate in a variety of events to build your research skills, including training on how to design a research poster, how to give a public talk, and how to find funding.
What to expect in research or creative activity experience
Undergraduate research and creative activity can be a for-credit class in some departments, or it may be strictly co-curricular in others. Often you may enroll in a limited amount of research or independent study classes and any time spent on research after that is strictly co-curricular (outside of your regular class time).
Involvement in this kind of activity requires some time management to do well. You should expect to spend about 10 hours/week working with your research group, in at least two hours at a time, to do good work.
The work itself depends on your discipline and evolves over time. You may start out combing through archives, or entering data into spreadsheets, or learning how to pipette. In time, that work may involve writing up your findings, running statistical analyses, or designing an entirely new study, depending on your interests, your research group, and your commitment.
How to locate a research opportunity
Be sure to talk to your instructors, who are here to help support you in your endeavors. Make sure they know your interests and potential career goals. Even if they do not become your research mentor, they may be able to connect you with others who would be a good fit.
You can also browse department websites and read up on faculty interests. Most departments include information on what their faculty research, as well as recent publications.
Application processes can vary. Some faculty have dedicated websites with forms to fill out if you’re interested in joining their research group. Others ask that students email them directly.
When you apply, be sure to mention why you’re interested in working with specifically with that faculty member or lab. What about their research interests you? How does what you would learn intersect with your academic and career goals?
Many students want to pursue research as an undergraduate to gain valuable experience for their post-undergraduate careers. This is great! But students should not use the opportunity to simply check a box on their resumes, particularly when applying for professional schools. Faculty want to work with engaged students who are genuinely interested in research.
It's a good idea to plan early. If you want to get involved in research, start as soon as possible. Faculty prefer to work with students for multiple years, especially in the sciences, and it can be difficult to find a mentor as a new-to-research senior.
Funding opportunities
Looking to fund your research experience? There are both internal and external funding opportunities you should explore to support your work.
- Hutton Honors College Grant Program
- IU Undergraduate Research in IU's Office of the VP for Undergraduate Education (OVPUE)
Each department offers different scholarships with varying criteria. Take time to review department websites in your area of interest to learn more about funding and scholarships.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Get hands-on experience in a research lab through intensive summer research programs at other universities that typically last eight weeks and include opportunities for participants to work closely with a faculty mentor on a research project and present their findings at the conclusion of the program.
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
Federal work-study eligible students can be paid to conduct research with a faculty member during the academic year. Not sure if you’re eligible for FWS? Contact Student Central to find out if you qualify for this financial aid opportunity.
Tips for scholarship applications
- Don't wait to work on your essays. Start early, ask questions, and get feedback.
- Do not wait to ask your recommenders – they need time
- Start cultivating relationships with faculty early. Many scholarships require at least 2 faculty recommendations, which do not include graduate instructors. Recommendations are an important part of your scholarship application. Faculty need to know you well to write a good recommendation – just being in their class isn’t always enough. Ask questions, go to office hours, and make sure they know your academic/professional interests.