Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ
Don’t just gain knowledge, create it. URSA (Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity) offers opportunities to explore potential career interests, get lab and field experience, connect with new people and travel beyond the world you know.
What Is Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity?
URSA supports and develops experiential learning activities for undergraduate students at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ. It enables students to reach beyond their classes and get in-depth experience. Types of URSA projects could include testing a scientific hypothesis by collecting and analyzing data, creating an original piece of art or music, or developing new technology.
Why undergraduate research and scholarly activity at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ?
ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ is a national and world leader in climate change and Arctic research. We have the highest number of publications and citations in Arctic research of any university in the world. We are also America's northernmost Land, Sea and Space Grant institution and one of only a handful of universities in the nation with this triple-crown distinction.
Undergraduate research and scholarly activity at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ covers diverse disciplines ranging from music to climate sciences, anthropology, engineering and life sciences. Our researchers are world-renowned in their fields, and many are engaged in cutting-edge work that has a real impact on how we live. More than 40% of all undergraduate students participate in some form of research or creative activity during their time at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ.
Explore Research Opportunities for Undergraduates
URSA awards funding year-round to undergraduate students to support research and creative projects and travel to conferences to present their work. Faculty also receives funding to support development and implementation of undergraduate research and scholarly activity opportunities. In 2018, URSA awarded nearly $300,000 in research and creative project funding.
Apply for undergraduate research awards
Undergraduate students may apply for several types of awards, including Individual and Group Projects, Individual and Group Travel, Community Engaged Learning and Innovative Technology and Education (ITE).