Welcome to November! As the weather gets colder, we are excited to announce the faculty mentors who have been selected for our 2026 Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)! Congratulations to all of the following faculty mentors who have been selected to participate in our nationally competitive summer research program, and best of luck to all students who choose to apply to work with them!  Click here to check out their projects.

Excellence in Innovation Undergraduate Student Award: Brynne Byars

Congratulations to former UROP scholar, Brynne Byars, for being selected as the recipient of the Excellence in Innovation Undergraduate Student award. She was recognized for her outstanding dedication and commitment to research translation, as well as her contributions to the University of Utah's growing culture of innovation! 

Check out the article in @theU.

Undergraduate Research Scholar Designation (URSD)

Graduating this Fall? Apply to get the Undergraduate Research Scholar Designation on your transcripts and also receive a white graduation cord. Click here to apply by the last day of classes,  December 4. 

Utah Conference for Undergraduate Research (UCUR)

This year's Utah Conference for Undergraduate Research (UCUR) is being held at Weber State University on February 27, 2026.  They are now accepting abstract submissions through November 7.

If you are a graduating senior or have completed two semesters of UROP, the following scholarships are available for you! Apply by December 1. 

Parent Fund is sustained by parents and supports student-centered programs and initiatives. The Parent Fund plays an integral role in the University of Utah’s ability to provide students with exceptional opportunities inside and outside the classroom.

Francis Family Endowment Fund was established by John A. Francis in memory of his wife, Irene F. Francis, and to acknowledge the work of his son, John G. Francis, professor of political science at the University of Utah. The Francis Endowment Fund recognizes outstanding undergraduate researchers in the arts, social sciences, and the humanities.

National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR)

Present your research at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research taking place April 13-15, 2026 in Richmond, VA . Deadline to submit: December 5

Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)

Student applications for SPUR 2026 are now open! The Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) gives undergraduates hands-on research experience across all disciplines from the arts to engineering— and everything in between. You’ll collaborate, learn, and get paid while building your resume and academic network. Don’t miss your chance, apply to SPUR!

Check out the SPUR Information Session this Wednesday, 11/3 (read below).

OUR invites you to participate in undergraduate Research Tours—a great way to discover how research is done across campus! Each tour includes a behind-the-scenes visit, a Q&A with researchers, and tips on how to get involved. Only four Research Tours remain this semester. Come explore research with us!

For more info and to register click here. 

Information on the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SPUR)

11/5, 12-1PM Virtual

Come learn about the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research or SPUR,  a nationally competitive opportunity that provides undergraduate students with an intensive 10-week summer research experience under the mentorship of a University of Utah faculty member. 

Check out the 80+ virtual education series where we provide content that supports learning about research beyond the classroom. They cover a range of topics from mentoring, to ethics, to citational practices, and presenting research. Click here to see the wide range of content. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Virtual Fall Symposium

Need or want to present your research this semester?  Plan to participate in the virtual fall symposium going live on December 5.  Submission deadline is Sunday, November 30, so mark your calendars. Click here for more info

Virtual Research Presentation Workshop

Are you presenting in the OUR Virtual Fall Symposium? Come learn about the basics of creating a research poster and video/audio presentation from Undergraduate Research Leader America Cox. Join us this Friday,  November 7 from 11:30am-12:30 pm at 2781 GC or via Zoom.  Bring drafts, outlines, ideas, and your questions. For more info and to register for Zoom

Fall Symposium Poster Evaluators Needed

OUR is looking for virtual poster evaluators for the Fall 2025 Virtual Undergraduate Research Symposium on December 5. Interested faculty, postdoctoral scholars, doctoral or master’s graduate students, or staff holding a research-focused graduate degree are encouraged to sign-up. Poster evaluators can be eligible to be in a drawing for their choice of wireless headphones, earbuds, or speakers.  Click here to sign up. 

Goldwater Scholarship

The Goldwater Scholarship deadline has been extended! Apply by December 12 for consideration!

Drop in with your questions about applying for funds, research opportunities, and how to get started any Friday during Fall Semester, 1:00-3:00pm via Zoom or in person at 005 Sill Center.

Join us every other Wednesday, 1:00-2:30 pm via Zoom or 2130N Marriott Library.  Click here for the schedule and to sign up.  

If you have questions about research opportunities, funding, or any of OURs programs make a research advising appointment with the link below.