OUR aims to become a central resource at CSUN, promoting and supporting student involvement in research activities and creative scholarship. OUR serves as a bridge between students and faculty and fosters an environment where students can enhance their educational experience through research, critical thinking, and hands-on learning.


Visit us at the Garden Level in University Library 27 and grab a snack!

New to research? Want to learn entry-level skills in two weeks during the summer and get paid? SJS is the right place to start learning!

This two-week half-day intensive program provided students with learning opportunities to  foundational research skills, including biological skills, coding, computational biochemistry, qualitative methods, and quantitative methods. 

SJS prepares undergrads for a mentored research experience! 

Deadline: March 30, 2026

Summer research funding opportunity!!!

OUR has launched its newest initiative - Summer UNdergraduate Research Initiative for Scholarly Excellence for Summer 2026! An eight-week paid mentored summer research experience at CSUN!  Non-graduating seniors are encouraged to apply with their mentors! Faculty apply via CSUN InfoReady. 

** Students apply through their research mentor!

Deadline: Mar 27, 2026

In-person workshops are in UL19. Come and grab a snack!

Students can take workshops (in-person or via Zoom) to increase their knowledge and skills in five areas: Entry-to-Research, Research Conferences, Professional Development, Responsible Conduct of Research, or Graduate School Preparation. Students can attend individual workshops or complete a series and earn a certificate. The February Workshop Calendar is live!

Join us for workshops via Zoom during Spring Break!

The Office of Undergraduate Research Graduate Peer Mentors (GPMs) increase undergraduates’ awareness, interest, and participation in research. Master’s-level GPMs have firsthand research experience and support students during drop-in hours by answering research questions, helping find mentors, reviewing abstracts, CVs, and essays, and advising on school.

Stop by their drop-in hours in UL 21 and grab a snack!

Learn about OUR programs and resources! Stop by OUR table by the Matador statue during the Farmer's Market on March 24th and meet OUR Grad Peer Mentors!

Presenting research at a conference or symposium? 

An undergraduate student presenting as the first or second author on a poster or oral presentation may request up to $300 for a travel scholarship. Students are eligible for funding only once per academic year. Priority will be given to students engaged in OUR activities (e.g., attending workshops, certificates, events). There are financial aid implications for this scholarship; more information is available on the application.

Deadline Extended to March 15, 2026

Deadline: March 27, 2026, at 5 pm via InfoReady

Are you conducting research with an undergraduate this academic year and want to get ahead during the summer?

OUR is launching our newest initiative - Summer UNdergraduate Research Initiative for Scholarly Excellence for Summer 2026! SUNRISE is an eight-week paid mentored summer research experience at CSUN! Faculty and Program Directors can apply for SUNRISE and nominate a non-graduating senior. Students graduating in Spring 2026 are not eligible. 

For faculty seeking mentor training opportunities, unfortunately, the National Research Mentor Network (NRMN) site is shut down. We find the University of Minnesota's Optimizing the Practice of Mentoring 102: For Research Mentors of Undergraduate Students as a suitable training program. This online training will take about 2 hours to complete, roughly the same length as the NRMN training. 

Visit the University of Minnesota's Training Hub and create a Guest Account to access the training. 

Once you create the guest account, you can add Optimizing the Practice of Mentoring 102: For Research Mentors of Undergraduate Students (course 14941)

Studies have found that students who attend external summer research programs are more likely to pursue graduate studies!

It is NOT TOO LATE to Apply!  OUR supports students' efforts to search for and secure summer research opportunities external to CSUN.  Our list includes programs that are STILL accepting applications.  We categorized the programs by general disciplines. Click below to find a program:

The Institute for Broadening Participation (IBP) offers the PathwaystoScience.Org - a search engine for research programs. You can search for programs by student level (e.g., undergraduate), discipline (e.g., biology, general programs) or geographic location.  While many summer program deadlines have passed, there are few still accepting applications. Don't miss out on this transformative experience!

Conference Theme: Flourising in Challenging Times

Attend the 10th Annual Conference for the Western Positive Psychology Association at Claremont Graduate University. The conference will focus on practical ways to help individuals, organizations, and communities build resilience, meaning, and flourishing during challenging times. May 29-31, 2026.

Early Bird Rate $50 for students, $125 for non-students

Questions? Email WPPA.Conference@CGU.edu 

Early Bird Registration: March 20, 2026 

Scan the QR Code to Register ->

Join us for one of the nation’s longest-running intercollegiate conferences dedicated to undergraduate research in the biological sciences!

📍 Location: Sonoma State University, Sonoma County, California
📅 Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026

**Please note that you will be able to submit your ABSTRACT after you register for the conference through the link. It will take you to the Registration portal for the 2026 West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference at Sonoma State University, where you can save a draft and submit your abstract.

The event will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026.  

Abstract submissions have been extended to March 15, 2026 by 11:59 pm.