Research Scholars Program

The Research Scholars program is available to students who have participated in our traditional UROP program for one year and who wish to continue with their research. In addition, eligible students will be enrolled in undergraduate course work at the U-M-Ann Arbor Campus during the entire academic year, will have worked with their current UROP mentor on a research proposal that will support the scholar's participation in the larger mentor project and will commit to participating in Research Scholars Fall and Winter semesters. 

Students that want to continue their research experience with a new mentor or research team are expected to schedule a drop-in appointment with the Director of the Research Scholars prior to application submission. Students working with a new mentor will need to have an established relationship and confirmation that the new mentor will work with them by the time of the application submission.

Oral and Written Final Projects:  In conversation with a mentor, all Scholars will choose and complete one written and oral final project. 

Examples of a written product are: 

• An academic writing product with the appropriate sections within your discipline/area of study  
• A comprehensive literature review
• A comprehensive research proposal and plan
• A summary of the creative project and significance to your discipline and scholarly area
• A mentor-approved alternative written product

Examples of an oral product are:

• Oral presentation or creative project at the annual  UROP Spring Symposium 
• Creation of a podcast based on your research inquiry and experiences
• Mentor-approved proposal for a scholarly conference

Seminar and Workshops (ALA 380, Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 pm): Students will participate in small (<20 students) bi-weekly seminars. These seminars are designed to help provide students with the skills that they need to disseminate their research findings. For some students, this may be submitting a manuscript to an undergraduate or professional journal. For others, it may be writing an op-ed piece, hosting an exhibition, creating a video talk, maintaining a blog, creating a website, or giving a formal oral presentation. Throughout the year, students will be required to share their research progress with their peers.

Peer Facilitator Meetings:  Students are required to attend individual monthly meetings per semester with their assigned Peer Facilitator. These meetings provide an opportunity for students to get one-on-one support from their Peer Facilitator. 

University Musical Society Performances (optional):  We have secured a grant to provide a limited number of tickets to UMS performances during the Winter semester. For students who are interested in discussing the intersection of publicly engaged research and art, this would be a wonderful opportunity. 

Application Process

Talk with your current UROP mentor about how you can develop an independent project based on the work you did this year.

Complete the Online Application.

You may start an application and save it. Keep a copy of your work for your records. Once you submit your application, you cannot change it.

Once you submit the application, your Peer Facilitator and UROP mentor will be emailed links to their recommendation forms. Please make sure you notify them about the process so they can look for the link. 

Your Peer Facilitator and UROP mentor will have 2 weeks from your submission to complete their recommendation.  If recommendations are missing after this date, you will be notified to send a reminder to your recommenders. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that recommendations are submitted properly.

All Research Scholars are required to participate in seminar and other professional development events on Tuesdays 5:30–7:00 pm. 

Please note that when we have guest speakers the seminar will end at 7:00 p.m. and you are expected to plan accordingly. The current seminar schedule is included below and any changes will be reflected on the canvas site.