MURI Project Awards

Applying for MURI project awards

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Supporting team-based, mentored, multidisciplinary undergraduate student research experiences

Overview of MURI

MURI facilitates the creation and support of multidisciplinary research teams consisting of undergraduate students, graduate students, post-docs, senior staff, and faculty. These teams provide undergraduate students with a unique opportunity to work with mentors on real-world problems to gain research skills that can be applied to their college coursework and future careers.   

In this program, students will acquire research skills (e.g., literature review, research methodology, data collection, and analysis), learn about ethics in research and writing, and improve their oral communication skills by presenting their research at either the annual IU INSPIRE Showcase in the spring semester (usually at the end of April). 

MURI projects should represent two or more disciplines and should offer undergraduate students the opportunity to engage in a substantive research experience focused on a significant research problem. Projects from all disciplines are most welcome, including science, informatic, math, the social sciences; the arts and humanities; and social, environmental, and public policy. 

Potential faculty mentors submit a research proposal, and if funded, student employment positions are posted on Handshake, IU's student employment job board. The Institute for Engaged Learning team works with mentors to post positions and facilitate the hiring process. The students are then hired as an hourly employee and work with the mentors, who serve as the supervisor. 

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MURI student learning outcomes

  • Investigate a research question or test a hypothesis
  • Pursue research in a collaborative, team-based experience encompassing multiple disciplines, fields and/or perspectives
  • 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 conclusion
  • Disseminate the results of scholarly activity through appropriate dissemination outlets

MURI program requirements

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 student 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 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.

MURI proposal guidelines 

At least two faculty mentors may submit a MURI proposal through Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. All previous program participants must reapply.

To complete the application, you will need: 

  • Each 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.
    • Suggested length: 3 to 5 pages, excluding references
    • Accepted formats: Word (.docx) or PDF (.pdf)

Proposals due Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Apply Now

 

MURI application process

Step 1: Apply for MURI funding 

The first step is to submit your MURI project application. 

Step 2: Application review 

A committee in IEL will review MURI application submissions. Applicants will be notified of their application status by mid-April.  

Step 3: Initiate hiring process 

Once the mentor has selected students for the MURI project, they will need to identify to IEL which students they are hiring through a form. Students will then be hired directly through the Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE). IEL will facilitate the hiring process for students with Human Resources. 

Step 4: Orientation resources for mentors and students 

The Office of Student Employment has wonderful resources for mentors who supervise students on MURI projects. 

Step 5: Begin research project 

Terminating a student’s employment: Please let us know when a student has left your project for another opportunity or if their employment had to be terminated. 

Have questions?

Contact ugrindy@iu.edu for more information.