Student Research
UNI offers more than simply an unmatched classroom experience. As students network with their peers and faculty, the chance for collaboration grows. And from those collaborations come outstanding student research.
Below find upcoming research events, as well as award opportunities and other resources that can help you make the most of the student opportunities available here at UNI.
Upcoming Research Conferences & Events
INSPIRE Student Research & Engagement Conference
April, 2024
Lawrence M. Jepson Undergraduate Conference on International Economics
The Annual Undergraduate Research Conference on International Economics has been established to honor Lawrence M. Jepson's vision to understand the importance of global interrelationships. A selection of papers presented in the conference and other conferences are published in the open access journal The Proceedings of the Jepson Undergraduate Conference on International Economics. The conference is sponsored by the Lawrence M. Jepson Endowment and the Department of Economics at the University of Northern Iowa.
Honors Research Day
April, 2024
Each Spring, the Honor Program hosts a conference-style research day to celebrate the work of graduating honors students. Students present oral presentations of their honors theses for family, friends, fellow students, and professors. This event is open to the public.
More Information on Honors Research Day
Research in the Capitol
Research in the Capitol is a collaborative effort of the Honors Programs from the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa. In the spring of every year, the three Regents universities send 20 students to provide poster presentations of undergraduate research. The event celebrates how undergraduates learn by doing research in a variety of fields. This event is hosted by the University Honors Program, but all UNI students are eligible to participate.
Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is a competitive program of the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences STEM departments – Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Technology, and Physics. SURP allows undergraduate students to develop their research and problem solving skills over a 10-week period. Each student works closely with a faculty mentor and is compensated for their research work. The annual SURP Symposium provides a venue for the student/faculty teams to present their projects in poster form.
Student Research Awards
Undergraduate Research Awards
University Honors Program Scholarships & Grants
Offered through the University Honors Program, these awards are offered for eligible prospective and current undergraduate students.
Mary Ann Bolton Undergraduate Research Award
Rod Library annually awards Undergraduate Research Awards to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary research, scholarship, and creative work of UNI’s undergraduate students thanks to a generous donation by Mary Ann Bolton (Class of 1970). The awards are given to students who demonstrate excellence in research using library resources conducted in support of an undergraduate paper or project carried out under the guidance of a UNI Faculty member or approved mentor.
CHAS SOAR Undergraduate Research Award
Application deadline first Monday in October and first Monday in February annually - Application (PDF)
The SOAR awards support research activities for undergraduate students in the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences. Undergraduate students from Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Computer Science, Earth Science, Mathematics, Physics, Science Education and Technology are eligible to apply. The awards, in amounts up to $750, are to be used specifically for costs related to research projects that are part of the student's degree program. All awards must be expended by May 31.
CSBS Undergraduate Research Award
Application deadline first Monday in October and first Monday in February annually - Application (PDF)
Awards up to $500 (while funds are available) for costs related to research projects that are part of the student's degree program and undertaken with CSBS faculty members as sponsors/mentors. The deadlines for applications are the first Monday in October and the first Monday in February.
CSBS Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Application deadline Fall annually
The Donald and Gudrun Fruehling Spring Undergraduate Research Fellowship supports undergraduate research by students with a declared major in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Each award recipient will have at least one faculty mentor from their academic department who will guide their research through to completion. Award recipients are eligible to receive a stipend of $1500 to be paid to their U-Bill account upon completion of the project and presentation. Each awardee will be required to write a research paper (10-15 pages) or complete an applied project with their faculty mentor’s guidance and to give a formal public presentation of their results at the annual CSBS Research Conference in April.
Graduate Research Awards
Women's and Gender Studies Program (WGS) Outstanding Graduate Paper Award
This annual competition is designed to encourage and reward graduate scholars on their research in the area of gender issues. All academic discipline submissions are welcomed. The prize includes a $100 cash award.
Graduate College Outstanding Student Research Awards
Application deadline Fall annually
This competition is intended to honor outstanding scholarship by UNI graduate students and to provide increased visibility for UNI graduate programs. Each advisor may nominate a maximum of two students for this award. The award will be presented at the Annual Graduate Faculty Meeting in the spring and all hard copy works will be returned shortly thereafter. Contact: Associate Dean of the Graduate College at (319) 273-2748.
CSBS Graduate Research Award
Application deadline first Monday in October and first Monday in February annually - Application (PDF)
Awards up to $500 (while funds are available) to assist with expenses related to thesis research (or the major research project for non-thesis programs).
CHAS GRASP Graduate Research Award
Application deadline third Monday in September and first Monday in February annually - Application (PDF)
The GRASP awards support research activities for graduate students in the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences. Graduate students from Biology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Mathematics, Science Education and Technology are eligible to apply. The awards, in amounts up to $750, are specifically for costs related to research projects that are part of the student's degree program. All awards must be expended by May 31.
Holmes Scholar Program
The Holmes Program seeks to mentor and support racially and ethnically diverse graduate students in positions of leadership within the field of education. Research suggests that college students lack a sense of belonging and experience other challenges that can impede their ability to matriculate through their programs. The Holmes Program seeks to mitigate these issues through culturally responsive mentorship and supports.
If you are a doctoral student in the second year of your program and self-identify as racially or ethnically diverse, we encourage you to apply to the Holmes Scholars Program. Please visit https://coe.uni.edu/holmes-scholars-program for more information.