Real-World Research
Early exposure to research enhances our students’ readiness for graduate school and their chosen career paths. More importantly, independent research under the mentorship of UMBC’s dedicated, talented faculty members can spark a student’s lifelong interest in interdisciplinary learning.
Check out undergraduate research opportunities and see what you can do at UMBC.
At UMBC, we back up our commitment to undergraduate research with grant awards and faculty support, so that research can be a part of any undergraduate’s learning experience. Each spring, student researchers have an opportunity to present their work at Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day.
- Opportunities in your major — See what other students are doing.
- Frequently Asked Questions — FAQs about undergraduate research.
- Summer Research Opportunities — Prestigious summer programs with federal agencies, and top universities in the U.S. and abroad.
- Undergraduate Research & Creative Achievement Day — UMBC’s annual celebration and performance of undergraduate research and creativity
- Undergraduate Research Awards — Competitive awards of up to $1,500 in support for original projects with a faculty mentor
- UMBC Review: Journal of Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate Research Resources
- Check your department and college website for content and links regarding undergraduate student involvement in research.
- Ask members of the faculty and staff in your department about undergraduate research opportunities.
- Read About Other Students’ Research Experiences — This link will give you a sense of what other UMBC students have done at the forefront of their disciplines.
- Workshops on how to Get Started in Undergraduate Research — Attend a workshop to learn more about the opportunities available to you.
- Contact a Subject Librarian — The librarians of the UMBC library are organized by subject matter and can help you to conduct research in your field.
- Student Data Use Agreement (DUA) GuidanceÂ
- Creating Human Subjects Research Protocol Applications – This link directs you to the Office of Research Protections and Compliance. The ORPC team provides guidance to undergraduate students who will create, with a faculty advisor, their own human subjects use application (via the IRB) or who may participate in an IRB approval as a research team member. An important aspect of an IRB approval is being appropriately trained (via the university’s CITI IRB training module subscription) in the protection of human subjects.
- Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) – UMBC is committed to instilling in our research community a shared understanding and adherence to the principles of responsible conduct of research (RCR). Undergraduate students are encouraged to be educated (via the university’s CITI RCR training module subscription) about the underlying principles of responsible conduct of research. These principles ensure the integrity of the pursuit of scientific investigation and practice among of scientists, scholars, and professionals as well as assist in discouraging research misconduct and questionable research practices.