Research Opportunities
Why should I consider engaging in research?
Inquiry is at the heart of university life both in and out of the classroom. Discovery for undergraduates is no different from that of scholars on the frontiers of knowledge. Both face the unknown and determine what they do not know, decide how to find out, and make sense of what they learn. In the words of psychologist Naomi Weisstein, "Science, knowledge, the search for fundamental understanding is part of our humanity. It is an endeavor that seems to give us some glimpse of what we might be and what we might do in a better world." The University of Arizona is a leader in providing research opportunities for undergraduates and Honors students are encouraged to engage in this active process of generating new knowledge.
Undergraduate Research Grant Program
(This program is open to all University Undergraduate Students)
Each year the Vice President for Research allocates $40,000 to the Honors Undergraduate Research Grant fund. Undergraduates can apply for a stipend or other expenses needed for a personalized research endeavor. Awards typically do not exceed $1300. The proposal submitted by the prospective student researcher must have the support of a faculty member, who cosigns the proposal and commits to serve as a research mentor and advisor. A review committee composed of faculty and students judges proposals. Undergraduate researchers may begin their projects as early as June 1 and projects should be concluded in summer or early in the fall semester. Applications are available each January from The Honors College in Slonaker House or by download. The proposal deadline is in early March. For more information, contact Lucia Barton by phone at 626-7183 or lbarton@arizona.edu.
Will your summer research idea take you off campus somewhere in Arizona? If so, you may be looking for a faculty mentor who is working nearby – and you may be in luck! The University of Arizona is a Land Grant university, which means that we have faculty working in all Arizona counties and with most of the tribes in the state. To learn more, visit the UA Cooperative Extension Website cals.arizona.edu/extension
Research opportunities database (For Honors Students Only)
Honors students have the opportunity to work with faculty members on their research and scholarship. The Honors College maintains an in-house listing of faculty members who are willing to have Honors students assist with their projects. Students participate as volunteers, paid research assistants, and as interns earning academic credit. Some of the researchers also advise students on their own research. Research listings are alphabetical by department, and students can read about what course work, skills, and computer, library or lab knowledge are required, as well as the number of hours per week involved.
Each entry will specify the type of research position available:
- Research Assistant (Volunteer)
- Research Assistant (Paid)
- Internship (For Academic Credit)
- Independent Study (For Academic Credit)
- Advising on Student Research
You must have updated your Honors Status before you can browse the database.
Looking for a place to get published?
Before you revise your research for publication, you want to identify journals or reviews that are appropriate. After you know their submission guidelines, you can revise your paper keeping in mind the audience and page limits.
To identify appropriate places where you can publish your research:
ask your advisor or mentor. He or she can help you make a good match between your work and a publisher.
browse through journals, reviews, and other periodical sources. Publishers of related articles which you cite can be good starting points.
identify new or interdisciplinary journals. Publications which are just getting started usually are looking for work to consider.
Consider publications dedicated to student work. have large mailing envelopes ready! If your paper is not accepted the first time you send it out, put it in the mail to the next publisher on your list. Don't be discouraged; publishing, like all good writing, depends on revising and perseverance!
Links to other undergraduate research opportunities (e.g., UBRP, Space Grant, MARC, McNair)
There are plentiful undergraduate research grant programs at UA. Not all programs are listed here, but this should serve as an introduction, particularly to those programs in the life sciences. For more information about research opportunities in your discipline, speak with the Honors advisor in your department or visit the research opportunities database on this web site. Here is a useful, admittedly partial, list of UA research grant programs.
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