Find a Research Opportunity

There are many ways to find research opportunities at UNC:

• Talk with an OUR Ambassador or to other students who are doing research in an area of interest
• Make an appointment to talk with an OUR Department Liaison
• Discuss your research ideas with a faculty member who is doing research that interests you
• Investigate research opportunities in your department or a related department
• Sign up for a Research-Intensive Course
• Check the postings in the OUR Database of Research Opportunities
• Look for an opportunity with a local business

Many students have difficulty knowing what to say when they reach out to a faculty member or research advisor for the first time. Each situation is different, but our tips for writing a contact email can help.

OUR Database of Research Opportunities

One way to find a research opportunity that interests you is to review the current postings in the OUR database. Included here are a wide range of potential research experiences, including those connected with particular courses, volunteer positions, paid positions, and mentored scholarship that can lead to an undergraduate thesis. The postings include project descriptions, links to web sites with additional information, and contact information. The faculty who posted these opportunities have specified appropriate student majors for these positions.

Summer Research Opportunities
Some funding opportunities for summer research include:

• Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships: Apply for money to work with a faculty member on an independent research project in any field
• Summer Award for Research-Intensive Courses: This award covers in-state tuition for a student to take a one-on-one mentored class with a UNC faculty member (courses ending in *95, i.e., 295, 395, 495)
• Awards through the Center for Global Initiatives: In addition to funding for opportunities abroad, the Center for Global Initiatives has some opportunities for students working on global topics or communities while at UNC
• Carolina Internal Funding Database: Make sure to select “undergraduate student” for the applicant type

There are also many funding options through different campus departments and centers, so check with your own department for additional opportunities that may be available to you.

Additional Research Opportunities

Many companies and organizations nearby have internship or workshop opportunities that involve research. If there are companies that work in an area you care about, try contacting the company to see whether they have a formal internship program, or whether they have other opportunities for you to work with or shadow a researcher. Any Triangle-area opportunities OUR has heard about are listed here, but you should also talk to UNC Career Services or to your advisor.

Biological and Biomedical Research Opportunities

This site was designed for students who intend to apply to graduate programs, but it includes resources that are helpful for undergraduates who want to identify faculty working in particular research fields.

National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates

There are also many research opportunities and programs available outside of UNC. The National Science Foundation has compiled a site of Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), providing links to research opportunities in the natural sciences.