Undergraduate Research
Our Mission
OSU has long been a national leader and innovator in scholar development, and more
recently, undergraduate research. Our office’s mission is to expand and enhance student-faculty
research partnerships across all disciplines at OSU. Faculty mentors at OSU have the
foresight to see the immense potential that engaging in undergraduate research, regardless
of the discipline, have on a student’s ability to engage with the world’s challenges.
We understand that students who graduate without research experience have not taken
full advantage of all that a comprehensive research university has to offer, so OSU
leads the way in supporting undergraduate research in all fields of study. Our students
who engage in undergraduate research often find their experience to be invaluable
in choosing a career path, improving their likelihood of success in the workforce,
and in applying for graduate school.
Opportunities
For some students, their undergraduate research experience at OSU begins with our
award-winning Freshman Research Scholars Program, funded by the Robberson Trust. Approximately
ninety incoming freshmen across all five undergraduate colleges extend their education
beyond the classroom by engaging in cutting-edge research under the guidance of innovative
faculty members. Students who complete the program not only receive a $1,000 scholarship,
but are also well prepared to apply for further research funding offered through our
office.
For sophomores, juniors, and seniors, our office, in partnership with the Lew Wentz
Foundation. The Lew Wentz Foundation, provides up to fifty $4,500 Wentz Research Grants
to accomplished undergraduates who have written a compelling research proposal under
the mentorship of an OSU faculty member. Further, the Niblack Research Scholars Program,
coordinated through the Office of the Vice President for Research, provides $8,000
research grants to students in the laboratory sciences. Many individual colleges and
departments also offer undergraduate research opportunities.
In addition to scholarship support for undergraduate research, our office also coordinates
other programs aimed at enhancing the research experience. We offer the "Undergraduate
Research" Transcript Designation, and two major annual undergraduate research symposiums.
Students interested in any of these scholarships or opportunities should not hesitate
to contact our office for individual guidance and support.