Office of
Undergraduate
Research

Thanks for visiting Northwestern University’s Office of Undergraduate Research!

2024 Undergraduate Research & Arts Expo

Join us at the 2024 Undergraduate Research and Arts Expo on Thursday, May 23rd on the 2nd floor of Norris! This yearly event celebrates the amazing accomplishments and discoveries of Northwestern undergraduates with poster presentations and curated student panel talks. Learn more!

Creative Arts Fest

Join us at the 2024 Creative Arts Festival on Thursday, May 23rd from 7-8:30pm at Wirtz! The Creative Arts Festival is a juried variety show of original work created by Northwestern University undergraduates. 

Finding a Research Mentor

Our weekly Finding a Research Mentor Workshops (FARM) are appropriate for any student interested in getting started in research. Research mentors are essential for all research journeys – whether you are exploring how research occurs in certain fields, searching for available opportunities, or seeking expert advice on your own project. Click here to find the scheduled dates and register!

Sign Up for the OUR Weekly Newsletter!

Be the first to know about Undergraduate Research news, grants, workshops, and more through our weekly newsletter! We’ll also share research tips, weekly memes, and community events. Sign up here!

From getting started to presenting your work

We help students with all aspects of the research process! Meet with an advisor to develop a plan that best matches your goals and interests.

Get Started

Developing Your Interests

If you’re brand new to the concept of undergraduate research and are not sure where to begin, the best thing to do is work through the sections of our “Getting Started” tab. The resources here can be complemented by our Finding a Research Mentor Workshop! You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do, but it helps to start thinking about what could interest you.

Advising

The Office of Undergraduate Research operates on an advising based model. We never expect any student to know how to navigate this process or how to begin writing a grant. We help every student develop goals and a plan that is unique to them. There is no right or wrong way to get started in undergraduate research, and everyone’s path looks different!

Funding

Northwestern University provides a substantial number of funding opportunities to undergraduates interested in pursuing research across all fields of study! We overview funding opportunities available through the Office of Undergraduate Research (available during both the summer and academic year), but there are additional opportunities through schools and departments, too.

About

The Office of Undergraduate Research awards funding to hundreds of students each year; a majority of these students are engaged in independent research and creative projects where they learn project management skills that will support their post-college aspirations.