  The UROP program runs September through April.
The application period runs May through December.
Summer research opportunities for students are available only through our
Summer Fellowship Programs
UM Affiliated Researchers:
To sponsor a student for 2008-2009:
Click Here to list a new project
or
Renew last year's project for 2008-2009:
Non-UM Research Sponsors [do not have a UM uniquename or password]:
Print this application form and email it to asprun@umich.edu
or mail it to
UROP, 1190 USB 204 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2215
Questions about your Project application or your Project status?
Contact Ann Sprunger at asprun@umich.edu
Sponsor Eligibility
Any University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus faculty, research scientists, post doctoral fellows, librarians and academic administrators in all schools and colleges may submit an application to be a UROP Faculty Sponsor. Current sponsors are also encouraged to identify colleagues who may wish to sponsor a student(s). All faculty and research scientists/fellows new to the University of Michigan will be sent an invitation to become a research sponsor.
Why get involved in UROP?
UROP is designed to integrate the University’s research and teaching missions through the creation of faculty/student research partnerships. Involving undergraduate students in research early in their academic careers enhances the undergraduate experience at Michigan. Further, the program enables faculty to mentor undergraduates through a common focus—research. Engaging bright and enthusiastic undergraduate students in your research introduces them to the culture of your discipline, modes of inquiry and discourse in a discipline along with the methodology and ethical issues confronted in a field. Students build research skills they can utilize in all aspects of their academic careers, find coursework more relevant, and gain a sense of engagement in the university. Through this partnership, faculty help develop the next generation of researchers and scholars. In turn, these students will assist you with your research activities, bring a fresh eye to your work, and provide new insights and perspectives. You may potentially develop relationships with individuals who become future colleagues. In addition, UROP’s focus on engaging diverse students in research can provide you with a unique opportunity to recruit a diverse cadre of future leaders to your field.
What we know about the impacts of UROP?
We know through a longitudinal assessment of our program that undergraduate research does the following:
- improves the retention of students, especially African American men
- increases student engagement in learning and the campus
- develops students who become more proactive about their education
- develops research competency in a discipline
- facilitates students decision to pursue graduate and professional school
Read more about UROP Assessment and Evaluation
Involve First and Second Year Students in Your Research
First and second year students will come to your projects with varied backgrounds and experiences. Some will come with research experiences in high school and bring specific knowledge, goals, and interests. Many will have the intellectual knowledge to understand the research right away but will need experience working in a team, establishing schedules, thinking independently and critically, learning to take initiative and solving problems. Others will come with social maturity, intellectual knowledge, and seem like born researchers. Most will bring enthusiasm, a bit of naiveté that enables them to ask important questions, and a desire to perform well. Many past faculty participants have told us they prefer their UROP students to graduate students.
UROP faculty sponsors play an important role in mentoring these students who soon become research colleagues. You will gain personal satisfaction in helping develop future researchers. UROP also provides a wide range of support services to you to assist in the training and development of UROP students. These services include: (1) peer advisors, UROP alumni, who serve as liaisons between you and the students; (2) skill building workshops to provide students with the tools for your project; (3) research seminars exploring research issues in various disciplines; and (4) supplementary research funds to cover small research related expenses.
How does UROP help my research?
UROP faculty sponsors have benefited through participation in the program in the following ways:
- UROP students bring important insight to your work.
- UROP students can undertake a riskier project or a shorter project that could be the basis for a larger study.
- UROP students can begin gathering data and materials for projects you want to start but have not had time to start.
- UROP students can conduct a complementary study that might not otherwise be done and can inform future directions.
- UROP students can use new instrumentation or pilot new equipment, surveys, or software for future use in your work.
- UROP students can provide access to college-age populations you are interested in studying and/or help you fine tune surveys or other instruments targeted to a specific group
- UROP students can help you gather and evaluate materials for courses, books, exhibits, etc.
UROP students can use and develop computer skills for webpage development, instructional technology projects and technology support.
What Faculty Say about UROP Students
“My student was creative and insightful. She came up with excellent solutions to engineering problems we encountered in the lab.”
“We were initially reluctant to take on a freshman student, but Kaarin has proven to be the most indispensable member of our team. She has a wonderful attitude, a sharp mind, and a truly creative research perspective. I would do anything to have more students like her to work with.”
“Marc is intellectually curious and has begun to ask great questions!! He has also begun to read and understand the complex background literature.”
“It was great to have a fresh viewpoint. My UROP student increased the quality and quantity of our experimental data.”
“She is curious, asks many questions and demonstrates her ability to understand difficult concepts. She is very responsible and really pulls her weight in the experiment. Nina’s willingness to ask questions about theory and methodology is the mark of a budding scientist.”
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