Faculty Mentor Summaries (Open Now)
Student Application (Do Not Apply Unless a Mentor Has Agreed to Work with You)
URSA Engage Workshops

URSA Engage Steps

  1. Explore all faculty mentor opportunities: Review the faculty mentor summaries and use the contact form to connect with mentors whose research interests you.

  2. Connect with faculty mentor(s): Schedule a meeting directly with a faculty mentor, or attend one of the open meeting times they provide.

  3. Attend an info session: Join one of the URSA Engage workshops to learn about program expectations and tips for a strong application. You can always visit drop-in advising hours on Mondays and Tuesdays as well.

  4. Submit your application: Applications are due December 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT. You must have a mentor confirmed before applying.

  5. Confirm research placement: Notifications will be sent on January 31, 2026.

  6. Begin your research: The program runs February 9 – May 29, 2026 (15 weeks, with spring break off).

  7. Present your research: Share your work at the Spring Poster Symposium in May or another approved conference/symposium.

Timeline (2025-2026)

  • October 13: Faculty summaries & student applications open
  • October 13 & 14: URSA Engage info sessions
  • December 12 (11:59 PM PT): Applications due
  • January 31: Notifications sent out to students and faculty
  • February 9: Program begins
  • April 21 & 27: Poster & Elevator Pitch Workshops
  • May 19: Spring Poster Symposium
  • May 29: Program ends
URSA Engage Testimonies
URSA Engage Application Information

Eligibility

Student:

  • If selected, must be enrolled in at least 6 credits at OSU while participating in the program
  • Must apply to work with a mentor that they have not worked with in the past
  • Be in 1st or 2nd year at OSU, and transfer students in 1st year at OSU (Cascades and Ecampus students eligible) 
  • Seeking their 1st undergraduate degree
  • Submit only 1 application to work with 1 faculty mentor
  • Can apply for the program once per year that they are eligible and can only receive 1 URSA Engage award (meaning you can apply to work with one faculty mentor)
  • Into OSU Pathways Programs will be eligible for the URSA Engage Program after they progress into an OSU degree

Application Timeline

Student applications are due December 12, 2025 at 11:59pm and notification of awards will be sent by January 31. Awardees are expected to engage with their projects for an average of 5 hours a week for the 15-week duration of the project (mid-winter 2026 to the end of spring 2026). 

Financial Aid Award

Funding may be limited, but all selected students will have access to non-credit coursework and program activities.

Please note: the financial award could affect a student's financial aid package. If you are concerned that your financial aid may be impacted, please contact a Financial Aid Advisor. 

Program Requirements

Student will:

  • Meet with mentor at least once a week, or 2-3 times a term if a graduate student is available to meet with mentee at least once a week.

  • Present work at the Spring Poster Symposium in May 2026, the Virtual Research Symposium in February 2026, or at another approved professional conference.

  • Submit a 1-2 page written report that includes a brief overview of the research/creative activity, the impacts of the mentoring relationship on your undergraduate experience, and any issues you encountered. 

  •  Attend a professional development workshop called Getting the Most from Undergraduate Research.
    • 4:00-5:00pm PM

Mon., February 2nd

Tues., February 3rd (Zoom)

Watch Asynchronous Vide

URSA Engage Questions

Faculty Mentor Summaries are a catalog of faculty mentors who have expressed interest in working with URSA Engage students. Potential research projects are listed under each faculty mentor's name.

Please reach out to faculty members whose research interests you by using the contact button at the bottom of their summary. When you meet with them, let them know you are interested in applying to the URSA Engage Program and are seeking a faculty mentor. You may only apply to the program once a faculty member has agreed to work with you.

If a faculty mentor is interested in working with you, discuss what potential projects you could work on through URSA Engage and apply before the application deadline in December.

If the faculty mentor is not able to work with you then you can reach out to a different mentor in the catalog. We offer URSA Engage coaching during drop-in advising hours if you would like help reaching out to a new mentor.

Don't fret! There are still tons of opportunities for you! You also have the option of reaching out on your own to faculty mentors that you are interested in working with and asking if they have additional space for you in their labs. 

Click here for resources on finding research opportunities and email etiquette.