The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program is designed to foster a culture of research excellence and innovation among undergraduate students, providing them with a platform to engage in extended research experiences. With the aim of encouraging scholarly endeavors and recognizing outstanding research achievements, this program offers a comprehensive opportunity for students to immerse themselves in their academic interests deeply. Spanning the academic year, the program encompasses research projects that begin in Fall 2024 and conclude in Spring 2025, culminating in a showcase of scholars’ work through both poster and oral presentations at a research symposium. This symposium, scheduled on April 30, 2025, serves as a forum for students to present their findings to the academic community.
How to Apply
Interested students are invited to apply in Spring 2024, with the program set to select up to 30 scholars who submit promising research proposals. To ensure the success of these research experiences, the program provides professional development activities, including how to connect with a faculty mentor, proposal preparation, abstract writing, and presentation preparation; guiding students through the critical stages of their research experiences.. Upon successful completion of the program, each scholar is awarded a $1,000 scholarship as a recognition of their dedication and hard work. Additionally, faculty mentors, who play a crucial role in guiding and supporting the scholars throughout their research journey, are eligible to receive up to $500. This funding is intended to cover various costs associated with the research, including materials, travel, or other necessary expenditures, ensuring that both scholars and mentors have the resources they need to achieve excellence in their research endeavors.
Purpose
To encourage and support undergraduate students pursuing research experiences, and to recognize excellence in research.
Scope
Undergraduate research projects will be completed over the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters, with poster and oral presentations occurring at a research symposium to be held on a reading day at the end of the Spring 2025 semester. Students will apply for the research scholars’ program in Spring 2024, with up to 30 scholars being selected. Support for proposal writing will be provided. Each scholar successfully completing the program will receive a $1,000 scholarship, and the faculty mentors will receive up to $500 to support costs of materials, travel, or other expenditures (budget sheet to be submitted by the faculty mentor upon student scholar selection).
Support Provided to the Student Research Scholar:
- LAUNCH Presentation describing available research programming for undergraduate research scholars – recording and transcript –
- Zoom Link
- Passcode: wDj$2xQ1
- Proposal writing Worksheet
- Applying to graduate school workshop, Fall 2024
- Abstract writing and presentation workshop, April 2025
- Feedback from judges following the research symposium
- Awards for the best posters and oral presentations
Program Timeline
Applications Open
Program applications are open for undergraduate students.
Application Closes
The Application portal closes.
Notifications
Selected faculty and students are notified.
Research
Research is conducted, and faculty support is provided. Research occurs from August 9, 2024, through May 2, 2025.
Symposium
Symposium abstract submitted, abstracts published, poster and oral presentations at research symposium, scholarships awarded
Eligibility
Student Eligibility
- Undergraduate student with a primary major in any of the 15 departments within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Sophomore or Junior with an expected graduation date between May 2025 and May 2026
- Registered for 0 or 1+ XXXX-491 Credits for Fall 2024 with their research faculty mentor
- Completed online Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training
- Submitted research proposal, collaboratively developed with and approved by the research faculty mentor, by April 30, 2024
Faculty Mentor Eligibility:
- Primary faculty appointment is in one of the 15 departments within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Faculty have a XXXX-491 Research Section
- T/TT, APT, and AgriLife Faculty are all eligible to serve as research faculty mentors
- Collaboratively develop and approve the student’s research proposal, XXXX-491 credits and the student’s weekly time commitment
Application Materials and Prompts to be Submitted in InfoReady:
- Student Name, UIN, primary major, expected graduation date
- Fall 2024 XXXX-491 research section and number of credits
- Weekly time commitment for each semester (minimum of 3+ hours/week for 0-1 credits, 3+ hours for each additional credit hour)
- Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) completion certificate
- 2-page proposal including an introduction, specific aims, methodology, expected results, potential pitfalls, and alternative approaches
- Faculty research mentor approval of the proposal, research credits, and weekly time commitment
Program Resources
- Program Announcement – PDF
- Orientation Recording and Transcript –
- Zoom Link
- Passcode: wDj$2xQ1
- Proposal Writing Guide
- Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
Other Resources
Questions
Please contact Dr. Craig Coates,
Associate Dean for Programmatic Success
979-321-5780
craig.coates@ag.tamu.edu