Question
How can I get involved in undergraduate research and creative scholarship at USD?
Answer
Undergraduate research and creative scholarship provide opportunities for students to enhance their learning, build professional skills, and gain hands-on experience in their field of interest. At USD, students can participate through faculty mentorship, research teams, conference presentations, international collaborations, and funded research programs.
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Getting Started with Undergraduate Research
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Find Your Passion Identify subjects that interest and motivate you. Whether your interests involve science, technology, history, literature, art, or another discipline, exploring topics you enjoy can help you discover meaningful research opportunities.
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Narrow Your Focus Research and creative projects often require a specific area of study. Consider narrowing broad interests into focused topics or questions that can be explored in depth.
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Connect with a Faculty Mentor Faculty mentors play a key role in guiding undergraduate researchers and creative scholars.
- Visiting professors during office hours or scheduling appointments.
- Exploring your department's website for research opportunities.
- Reviewing faculty and staff profiles to identify experts in your area of interest.
- Scheduling an undergraduate research advising appointment through Coyote Connections.
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Network with Other Scholars Research is collaborative. Students are encouraged to:
- Participate in department and university listservs
- Join USD Student organizations and clubs
- Join professional associations that offer student memberships
- Connect with scholars through professional and social networking platforms
- Attend student-focused academic conferences
- Explore opportunities through the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR)
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Ask Questions Students seeking guidance or information about undergraduate research opportunities can contact: undergraduateresearch@usd.edu
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Research Opportunities and Important Deadlines
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IdeaFest
- When: April 9-10, 2025
- Application Period: December 1 - March 3
- Application: INSERT ORIGINAL LINK
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CURCS Mini-Grant
- Eligibility: Current full-time USD undergraduate students; all disciplines
- Application Period: Rolling; reviewed monthly
- Application: INSERT ORIGINAL LINK
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Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research
- Eligibility: Currently enrolled degree-seeking students in eligible disciplines
- Spring Deadline: March 1
- Fall Deadline: October 1
- Application: INSERT ORIGINAL LINK
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National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)
- When: Spring (typically March or April)
- Application Period: October through early December
- Information and Application: INSERT ORIGINAL LINK
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Posters on the Hill (POH)
- When: Spring (typically April)
- Application Period: September through October/November
- Information and Application: INSERT ORIGINAL LINK
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U Discover Summer Scholars
- Program Dates: May-August 2026
- Application Period: January 13 - February 21
- Application: INSERT ORIGINAL LINK
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Summer Program for Undergraduate Research in Addiction (SPURA)
- Program Length: 10-week summer program (May-August)
- Application Deadline: February 16
- Website and Application: INSERT ORIGINAL LINK
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Sanford Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)
- Program Dates: June-August
- Application Deadline: January 31
- Website and Application: INSERT ORIGINAL LINK
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USD Department of Chemistry NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
- Program Length: 10-week summer program (May-August)
- Application Deadline: February
- Website and Application: INSERT ORIGINAL LINK
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EuroScholars
- Program Type: Semester-long international research experience
- Application Deadlines:
- October 1 for Spring participation
- April 1 for Fall participation
- Website: INSERT ORIGINAL LINK
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Contact Information