The mission of the Council on Undergraduate Research is to support and promote high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship.

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) was founded in 1978 by a group of chemists from private liberal arts colleges who wanted to provide information about research that was being conducted at liberal arts colleges by faculty, often in collaboration with students.  Since that time CUR has grown to include all disciplines and all types of institutions.  Today, members include nearly 3,000 individuals and 492 colleges and universities.

CUR believes that faculty members enhance their teaching and contribution to society by remaining active in research and by involving undergraduates in research. CUR’s leadership works with agencies and foundations to enhance research opportunities for faculty and students as well as:

·        Supports faculty development through Institutes in Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research, Initiating and Sustaining Undergraduate Research Programs, Proposal Writing, and Social Sciences and Humanities.

·        Publishes books and articles related to creating, managing, and evaluating undergraduate research programs; mentoring undergraduate researchers.

·        Assists administrators and faculty members in improving and assessing the research environment at their institutions.

·        Provides information on the importance of undergraduate research to state legislatures, private foundations, government agencies, and the U.S. Congress.

CUR welcomes faculty and administrators from all academic institutions, but individual members affiliate with one of nine divisions: Chemistry, Biology, Geosciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics and Astronomy, Psychology, Social Sciences, plus a division for Undergraduate Research Program Directors and an At-Large division for administrators and other disciplines.

What is Undergraduate Research?

An inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original, intellectual, or creative contribution to the discipline.

What are the Benefits of Undergraduate Research? 

·        Enhances student learning through mentoring relationships with faculty

·        Increases retention in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pipeline

·        Increases enrollment in graduate education and provides effective career preparation

·        Develops critical thinking, creativity, problem solving and intellectual independence

·        Develops an understanding of research methodology

·        Promotes an innovation-oriented culture

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