UROP Article

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)

UROP student learning outcomes

• Investigate a research question or test a hypothesis
• Pursue research in a personalized, mentored experience
• Identify and utilize appropriate methods, procedures and ethical principles for the gathering of information or the generation of new knowledge through scholarly activity
• Analyze, assess and evaluate findings and conclusions
• Disseminate the results of scholarly activity through appropriate dissemination outlets

UROP program requirements

Project timelines 

We are offering two timelines only for proposed projects: 

• Summer 2026 and Academic Year 2026-27: Start May 2026 and end April 2027
• Academic Year 2026-27: Start late August 2026 and end April 2027

NOTE:We expect participants to enroll full time as an undergraduate student for the entire duration of the program at the IU Indianapolis, Columbus or Fort Wayne campuses.

For student researchers: 

• Enroll full time as an undergraduate student for the entire duration of the program at the IU Indianapolis, Columbus or Fort Wayne campuses.
• Employment:
• Work in your research placement on average:
  • 25 hours per week during the summer
  • 10 hours per week during the school year
• Student researchers are expected to work the full hours and faculty mentors are expected to provide enough work despite other commitments each may have.
• Hourly wage is $14 per hour.
• Across all employment positions at IU:
  • Domestic students may not work more than 29 hours per week total.
  • International students with an F-1 visa may not work more than 20 hours per week total during the fall and spring semesters. During summer, winter, and spring break, international students may not work more than 29 hours per week total. More on international student employment.
• Attend orientation sessions and seminars designed to prepare you for your research experience.
• Complete supplemental trainings, such as the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (Responsible Conduct of Research), prior to conducting research and throughout the program as necessary. These trainings are paid and count toward the hour guidelines mentioned above.
• Meet at least twice per month as a student–mentor pair.
• Complete brief Canvas assignments including a program agreement, semesterly progress reports, research trainings, etc., designed to track your progress.
• Create a research presentation for participation in IU Indianapolis INSPIRE Showcase (formerly Research Day) at the end of April 2027.

For faculty mentors: 

• Maintain a faculty appointment on the IU Indianapolis, Columbus or Fort Wayne campuses.
• Student employment:
  • Faculty mentors serve as site supervisors and are responsible for:
    • Biweekly timesheet approval
    • Compliance with any applicable regulations and IU policies
  • Provide enough work in your research placement for the student to work on average:
    • 25 hours per week during the summer
    • 10 hours per week during the school year
• Student researchers are expected to work the full hours and faculty mentors are expected to provide enough work despite other commitments each may have.
• Across all employment positions at IU:
  • Domestic students may not work more than 29 hours per week total.
  • International students with an F-1 visa may not work more than 20 hours per week total during the fall and spring semesters. During summer, winter, and spring break, international students may not work more than 29 hours per week total. More on international student employment.
• Attend orientation sessions.
• Meet at least twice per month as a student-mentor pair.
• Complete brief Canvas assignments including a program agreement, semesterly progress reports, etc., designed to track student progress.
• Attend the IU Indianapolis INSPIRE Showcase (formerly Research Day) at the end of April 2027, and provide feedback for your student's research presentation.

UROP proposal guidelines

A student researcher and faculty mentor pair may submit a UROP proposal application through Friday, April 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. All previous program participants must reapply. 

To complete the application, you will need: 

• Student researcher:
  • First name
  • Last name
  • IU email
  • Campus
  • Major(s)
  • Minor(s)
  • Anticipated graduation date
  • School(s)
  • Previous or current UROP or MURI participation
• Federal Work-Study Status:Federal Work-Study, a financial aid award designated by the FAFSA. Please verify in the Student Center under Financial Information.
• Faculty mentor:
  • First name
  • Last name
  • IU email
  • Campus
  • Department(s)
  • School(s)
  • Previous or current UROP or MURI participation
• Research proposal
  • Build your research proposal off our template — which we based on examples, best practices and feedback from student researchers, faculty mentors, deans, peer programs and professional organizations. All required sections are outlined in the research proposal template.
  • NOTE: While we allow for minor differentiation across disciplines, proposals that do not address each section outlined in the template are not likely to be scored highly, as our rubric draws on it. Download the template here.
  • Suggested length: 3 to 5 pages, excluding references
  • Accepted formats: Word (.docx) or PDF (.pdf)
• Letter of support
  • Faculty mentors must write a letter of support for the student researcher and their proposed project. Letters should address:
    • Commitment to mentoring the student for the duration of the project
    • Significance or potential impact of the project
    • Relationship of the project to the faculty mentor’s research. If distinct from the faculty mentor’s research, explain the role of the faculty mentor in the project.
    • Why should this student participate? How does the student benefit? How does the mentor benefit?
  • Suggested length: 1 to 2 pages
  • Accepted formats: Word (.docx) or PDF (.pdf)

Proposals due Friday, April 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. 

Apply now