How to Apply

Eligibility

  • Student Status: Must be an undergraduate in good academic standing and eligible to work in the U.S.
  • Credits: Must take at least 6 credits during the research semester. For summer projects, this is waived if you take 6+ credits in both the preceding and following semesters.
  • Award Limits: You may hold only one active award at a time. There is a lifetime limit of two awards per student.
  • Priority & Special Cases: First-time applicants receive priority. Past recipients must complete all previous project reports, evaluations, and presentations before reapplying.
  • Other Requirements: Graduating students must finish their project and submit all final deliverables before graduation.

Getting Started

  • Determining Your Area of Interest: UROP projects can either be based on questions that come up in a class, a student's idea, or can be centered around a faculty member's research.You may work either within or outside your major field or on an interdisciplinary topic. 
  • Finding a Faculty Mentor: Your sponsor may be a faculty member in any college or campus of the University. Start early by asking professors, faculty advisors, or the CEHSP UROP coordinator for recommendations based on your research interests. Before approaching a faculty member, be sure to research their work and come to meetings prepared to discuss your idea. 
  • Other Things to Keep in Mind: If multiple students from the same research group apply for the same or closely related projects, each must submit a distinct, non-identical application that outlines the overall project and clearly details their specific individual contribution.

Application & Proposal

Before you write your proposal, read over these tips for writing a good UROP proposal.

  1. Proposal requirements:
    • 3 pages in length
    • Double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins
    • Must contain an answerable research question
    • Make it clear what you are researching and the methods you will use to find an answer. Be sure to describe the intellectual merit of your research.
    • Write a draft, have it reviewed by your faculty mentor, and leave time to revise it before the deadline.
  2. Budget: You may request funds up to a maximum of $300 for supplies and expenses directly relating to your project.  Please be sure to include poster printing costs in your itemized budget as a poster will be needed for your presentation requirement.  List each item and its costs, explaining its importance to your project.  Keep in mind budget items not allowed:
    1. Computer or computer hardware.
    2. Hiring other persons to assist them.
    3. Standard office supplies (e.g. file folders, paper, computer paper, pencils, ink) or books available in a library.
    4. Standard equipment (e.g. tape recorders, transcribers). If such equipment is unavailable, UROP may support reasonable lease fees.
  3. Finalizing your Proposal: Before submitting your proposal, be sure to meet with your faculty mentor so that you agree on the nature and scope of your project; your method of inquiry and expected outcome; your budget for stipend and expense allowance; the timetable for completing the project; your access to supplies, equipment, facilities; the frequency of your consultations during the project; and your educational goals. 
  4. Application Instructions: You can find a video to walk you through the UROP application on the InfoReady Application Process page; additionally, you can review the application questions on this sample application or review a sample application with completed responses at any time.
  5. Special Requirements/Restrictions: Some UROP projects require special permissions before your UROP project can be approved. If your project involves Human Subjects, Animal Subjects, Harmful or Dangerous Substances or involves Travel Abroad, you need to make sure you have taken the appropriate steps to get these permissions as you prepare your UROP application.
  6. Complete the Application Form online 
  7. Have your faculty mentor complete a Faculty Mentor Recommendation Form 
  8. Presenting your Research: You will be required to present the results of your UROP study at the UMD Undergraduate Research and Artistic Showcase. You may also want to present at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). In order to attend NCUR, UMD students must submit an abstract. If approved, UMD will be contacted and travel and hotel  arrangements will be made for you. There is no cost to students who are accepted to attend.