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 and prepare for a mentored research experience!

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. 

Application 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

The Office of Undergraduate Research (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, fostering an environment where students can enhance their educational experience through research, critical thinking, and hands-on learning.


Visit us in University Library 27 and grab a snack!

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 March Workshop Calendar is live!

Learn about OUR programs and resources! Stop by OUR table by the Matador statue during the farmer's Market on Tuesdays in April: 04/07, 04/14, 04/21, and 04/28.

Dylan presenting at the 2025 CSUBIOTECH conference

My research focuses on developing computational workflows to identify novel therapeutics targeting structurally unresolved drug targets. My current project utilizes these methods to design a drug capable of treating type 2 diabetes by activating an extra-orally expressed bitter taste receptor present in the human gut.

My passion for research is driven by my curiosity to understand biological phenomena and the possibility that my work may one day help treat a currently underserved patient suffering from a chronic disease.

Katherine outside the University Library

My research examines structural and internal factors influencing mental health service use among Latinx youth and families, including risks, protective factors, and cultural strengths. Develop and implement culturally grounded interventions and psychoeducational tools to improve access, engagement, and well-being within youth mental health systems for underserved Latinx populations.

I’m motivated by my lived experiences and the challenges and barriers my community faces in accessing mental health care. As a first-generation Latinx student, this drives my commitment to amplifying community voices and advancing equity within mental health systems through research.

Sammie presenting at the 2026 APS Global Physics Summit

My computational research challenges familiar chemistry that we are taught in the classroom. I’m currently working on finding a stable chemical system that shows a phenomenon of the non-bonding core electrons participating in bonding at high pressures. Not only does my research show this phenomenon occurs theoretically, but we are collaborating with experimentalists to find a way to realize this in the laboratory using tools like a diamond anvil cell and spectroscopy.

I love continuously pushing myself to contribute to my field, even if sometimes it feels intimidating. It’s such a unique privilege to get to solve a difficult problem every day. Being a researcher means the harder I work, the more I benefit, and there is no limit. 

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

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.

Did you know that OUR can print your research proster for free for upcoming presentations at the CSUNposium on April 10th or symposia or conferences? Yes! Attend the OUR Creating a Research Poster Presentation and get a link to have your poster printed by OUR. 

Did you know that OUR provides free feedback on students' graduate school essays, scholarship essays, curriculum vitae (CV), resumes, and conference presentations?

Within 1 week (five working days) we can help strengthen your documents!

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)

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!