Undergraduate Research Funding
This page describes campus-wide undergraduate research opportunities, as well as various external research grant programs for undergraduates.
Faculty, especially those in the sciences, often employ undergraduates on their research grants; check with your professors for opportunities. Undergraduates also can apply directly to certain government or nonprofit agency programs for research grants and off-campus summer research fellowships. Most of these competitive programs are discipline-specific, and the success rate can be high. Faculty in your department may be aware of such programs, or contact the Office of Research Development and Administration (ORDA, 453-4540). Another good source of information about research scholarships and fellowships is the Office of Major Scholarship Advisement (Faner 2513, 453-3471).
Also be aware that most majors have courses that give credit hours for individual research, although any necessary funding would have to be obtained independently. Talk to your advisor and to faculty in your department about getting involved with research.
A brochure we produce called Research Opportunities for Undergraduates summarizes much of the information on this page. Copies are available by calling ORDA or by e-mailing reach@siu.edu.
REACH Undergraduate Research/Creative Activity Awards
These awards are the primary way that REACH funds undergraduate research, scholarly, and creative-arts projects. See this site's Awards menu.
Undergraduate Assistantships
www.siu.edu/~fao/jobs/index.htm
The Undergraduate Assistantship program, coordinated through the Financial Aid Office, provides on-campus, paraprofessional employment opportunities for full-time undergraduate students with a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher. Students are able to work directly with a faculty member or professional-level staff member in a position related to their academic discipline or prospective career. Students are paid on a salary basis and work 10, 15, or 20 hours per week. A high percentage of assistantships entail working with faculty on research projects, so this is an excellent option for students interested in research.
Travel Support Program
www.siu.edu/orda/internal/travel.html
This program occasionally makes small awards (up to $100 for travel within the continental U.S., up to $300 for international travel) to exceptional undergraduate students for travel to research sites or to give presentations at conferences. The student must also have funding from another campus unit. See the section on Student Travel Funds.
Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
www.siu.edu/~mcnair
This federal program at SIUC prepares undergraduates from underrepresented groups, including minority and first-generation/low-income students, for graduate study. SIUC's McNair Program (Woody Hall B-145, 453-4581) provides special learning experiences, GRE preparation services, and support to 22 juniors or seniors each year. Among other activities, students take part in a summer research institute and present research results at conferences.
Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation
www.siu.edu/~mcnair/ILSAMP.htm
SIUC is a member of the Illinois Louis Stokes Alliance for
Minority Participation, a statewide coalition dedicated to increasing the number of underrepresented minority students in science, mathematics, and engineering. Funded by the National Science Foundation, this program provides paid, mentored research experiences for undergraduates on campus.
Study and Research Abroad
www.ips.siu.edu/sa
The SIUC Study Abroad Programs office (Northwest Annex B220, 453-7670) has information about study and research programs overseas, including extensive resources on foreign universities, exchange programs, Fulbright programs, the National Security Education Program, and related grants.
Organization for Tropical Studies
www.science.siu.edu/OTS/index.html
Southern Illinois University is a member of this international consortium, which supports tropical biology research at field stations in Costa Rica. Research opportunities for undergraduate students include a summer class and a junior year abroad program.
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
www.siu.edu/~pkp
Membership is open to junior and senior undergraduates by invitation. The society awards a junior scholarship and a senior fellowship for graduate study. In conjunction with Sigma Xi (see below), it sponsors a poster conference in spring semester; undergraduates are invited to submit research posters.
Sigma Xi, the Scientific Honor Society
www.siu.edu/~sigmaxi
Undergraduates may join by application through a member sponsor. With Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi sponsors an annual research poster conference with faculty and student participants. Sigma Xi International awards research grants-in-aid to undergraduates.
REU Programs
www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/index.jsp
With funding from the National Science Foundation, various universities, including SIUC, have established REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) programs in specific fields. (SIUC's program, for example, is in materials science.) REU programs offer undergraduate students an opportunity to participate in NSF-sponsored research, either in the lab or in the field. They provide a stipend, plus assistance with travel and housing where appropriate.
DOE Scholars Program
orise.orau.gov/doescholars
This summer program, administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), offers undergraduate students 10-week appointments at participating Department of Energy offices, laboratories, or facilities. It provides the opportunity to apply academic studies to DOE programs in science, engineering, safety, finance, project management, policy, planning, and other professional areas.
ORISE/ORAU-Sponsored Opportunities
see.orau.org/AcademicStatus.aspx?type=Undergrad
The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) also coordinate various fellowship and internship programs for undergraduates at other government agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Army Research Office, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For a full list, see the link.
NASA Undergraduate Student Research Program
www.vsgc.odu.edu/Menu3_1_3.htm
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration offers undergraduates mentored research experiences at participating NASA centers and research support facilities.
Dept. of Homeland Security Scholarship & Fellowship Program
www.orau.gov/dhsed
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers two-year undergraduate scholarships to students interested in pursuing the basic science and technology innovations that support the mission of DHS. Eligible areas of study include physical sciences, mathematical sciences, computer and information sciences, life sciences, social sciences, psychology, and engineering. The award includes a required summer research internship.
Merck-AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program
www.merckaaasusrp.org
This program awards grants to the biology and chemistry departments at recipient institutions to provide research stipends to undergraduates.