The UROP Research Continuity Bridge Grant provides limited funding to support undergraduate students who participated in UROP, applied to the 2026–2027 UROP Research Scholars Program, and were placed on the waitlist. This bridge opportunity is designed to help students remain engaged in faculty-mentored research, creative inquiry, or scholarly activity during the 2026–2027 academic year while continuing to build toward future research opportunities, including eligibility for the Student Success Research Grant. The Bridge Grant is distinct from both the UROP Research Scholars Program and the Student Success Research Grant. It provides modest funding support but does not include the full funding level, cohort experience, programming, or additional benefits associated with the Research Scholars Program.
Purpose of the Grant
The UROP Research Continuity Bridge Grant supports students who have demonstrated a commitment to undergraduate research but could not be accommodated in the UROP Research Scholars Program due to limited program capacity. Selected students will receive modest funding to help sustain their involvement in a faculty-mentored research project, creative inquiry, or scholarly activity during the 2026–2027 academic year. This opportunity is intended to help students remain connected to research and continue developing their academic and professional goals.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the UROP Research Continuity Bridge Grant, students must:
- Have participated in UROP prior to the 2026–2027 academic year;
- Have applied to the 2026–2027 UROP Research Scholars Program;
- Have been placed on the Research Scholars Program waitlist;
- Remain enrolled as an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan during the award period;
- Be in good standing with UROP and the University;
- Be currently engaged in a faculty-mentored research project, creative inquiry, or scholarly activity for 2026–2027;
- Agree to complete a short year-end reflection or research update.
Because funding is limited, meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee an award.
Funding Level: Bridge Grant recipients may work up to 8 hours per week for approximately 14 weeks per term during the Fall and Winter semesters and will be paid $16 per hour for approved research hours, with maximum potential earnings of $1,792 per term or $3,584 for the academic year.
Research Mentors
Supporting a Bridge Grant Student
The UROP Research Continuity Bridge Grant helps undergraduate students remain engaged in research after being waitlisted for the 2026–2027 UROP Research Scholars Program.
Students selected for this opportunity have previously participated in UROP and demonstrated interest in continuing faculty-mentored research. The grant provides modest funding to support continued engagement during the academic year.
Research mentors may support students by:
- Continuing an existing research placement;
- Helping the student identify appropriate research tasks or goals;
- Confirming current or planned research engagement, if requested;
- Supporting the student’s development as an undergraduate researcher;
- Encouraging completion of the required year-end reflection or research update.
This opportunity does not require mentors to provide the full structure of the Research Scholars Program. However, students should have a meaningful research, creative inquiry, or scholarly activity plan for the academic year.
