Summer Undergraduate Research Discovery Grant

One way to continue to build your research skills is to apply for the UROP Summer Undergraduate Research Discovery Grant to fund a current research project you have been working on. The Discovery Grant is designed to provide summer funding to start, continue, or finish a research project. 

Please note: Earnings from summer paid research or temporary jobs at the University of Michigan (U-M) can impact your financial aid by increasing your Student Aid Index (SAI) on the FAFSA, potentially reducing need-based aid. Please make sure to contact the University of Michigan Office of Financial Aid for any questions or concerns.

Applications for summer 2026 grants will open February 1, 2026 and close on March 20, 2026. Research Mentor letters of recommendation are due March 30, 2026 (see below).

Award Amount: $2,000, 8-10 week period

• Students should plan for about ten weeks of half-time work—approximately 10-15 hours per week. Work should be performed between May 15 - August 7, 2026. 
• Students are allowed to enroll in spring/summer courses.
  

The UROP Summer Discovery Grant Program supports undergraduate student engagement in research, scholarship, and creative work under the direct supervision of a research mentor. The grant attempts to address the lack of central funding for U-M students to engage in summer research, especially for those not part of a small cohort/departmental program. 

Funding supports students engaged in research and creative projects from all fields/academic areas. Funding can be directed to student-initiated projects in the arts, engineering, humanities, sciences, and social sciences that provide experience in all facets of the research, scholarship, or creative processes. This includes conceptualization of a question or focus, proposal writing, identification and implementation of methods, and communication of results (reporting, exhibition, or performance). 

Funding should cover student hourly pay and/or project costs (supplies, materials, books, specialized software, travel for the purpose of data collection, etc.).

• Current U-M Ann Arbor undergraduate student.
• U.S. Citizen.
• Must have at least one semester remaining after the funded summer. This means the student will be enrolled in Fall 2026 and not graduating before December.
  
• Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Status.
• Students must be connected with a University of Michigan Research Mentor who is actively working on a research project that the student is involved in.
• Not participating in any of the UROP Summer Research Fellowship Programs and/or U-M structured summer research programs. 
• Not have accepted a UROP Discovery Grant previously.
• Ability to dedicate significant time to research over the course of the summer. Students should plan for about ten weeks of half-time work—approximately 10-15 hours per week.
• Grant Awardees will either present their scholarly work at the UROP Annual Summer Research Symposium, Wednesday, July 29th on the U-M Ann Arbor campus and/or submit a final product.
  
• All Awardees will be required to submit a Reflection on Summer Research Experience by the start of Fall 2026 term.

A completed application consists of the following:

• Short questions regarding the research project. 
  • The question or goal to be addressed and its relevance to the discipline or field. Proposals for creative projects should describe the academic nature of the work. 
  • How does the research connect with larger issues or conversations happening in your field of study?
    
  • Why the project is of interest to the student and their preparation to complete it.
  • How supervision by the faculty member will contribute to your project.
  • You will be required to upload your resume on the application form.
• Name and contact information of the research supervisor, so that the supervisor can be contacted to provide a letter of support that includes an evaluation of the proposal and the student’s ability to complete the project.

Applications are reviewed by UROP Faculty-Research Advisors within your area of expertise. Review criteria include:

• Scholarly nature – Does the project involve research, scholarship, or creative work? (Educational or personal enrichment activities – e.g. study abroad, travel unrelated to research, projects not grounded in an academic discipline, etc., do not apply.)
• Student engagement – Did the student help to frame the question or focus of the project and will the student activities involve the major steps in the research or creative process? (Projects should not merely provide assistance to the faculty supervisor's work.)
• Faculty-Research Mentor collaboration – Will the faculty supervisor provide a level of supervision that guides the student's work and adds value to the project?
• Faculty-Research Mentor recommendation – Does the faculty supervisor consider the project worthwhile academically and endorse the student's ability to complete the project?
  

• Application opens February 1, 2026
• Student deadline to apply is Friday, March 20, 2026 (11:59pm EDT)
• Deadline for Research Mentor Recommendation is March 30, 2026 (11:59pm EDT)
• Results will be announced April 6, 2026

Questions about the Summer Undergraduate Research Discovery Grant should be directed to Dr. Michelle Ferréz, (mdferrez@umich.edu), Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Research & Student Success; Senior Director, Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)

Project mentors play an essential role in supporting the intellectual, professional, and personal development of undergraduate researchers. Research mentors serve as sounding boards and guides, providing the feedback and encouragement that empowers students to overcome project challenges.

During the application phase, mentors are expected to:

1. Assist your mentee in refining their project proposal.
2. Submit a recommendation form by the deadline of 11:59 pm EST on Monday, March 30, 2026. Reference the Instructions for Research Mentors for the form link and components to include in the reference.

During the project phase, mentors are expected to:

1. Assist your mentee in navigating challenges as they implement their planned project.
2. Support the development of research and transferable skills, such as project management and critical thinking.
3. Review project progress regularly and provide constructive feedback.
4. Collaborate with your mentee to establish regular meeting and communication practices.
5. Be responsive between meetings for questions, guidance, and feedback.