Student Research Opportunities & Grants
Research allows you to pursue your interests, to learn something new, to hone your problem-solving skills and to challenge yourself in new ways. Working on a faculty-initiated research project gives you the opportunity to work closely with a mentor–a faculty member or other experienced researcher. With a self-initiated research project, you leave the University of Michigan-Dearborn with an experience that represents the distillation of your interests and studies, and gives you a leading edge in building your academic or professional resume.
In addition to managing the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program, Experience+ (EXP+) supports student researchers in a variety of ways. This includes grant funding for independent research with a faculty member, grants for participating in a national, regional, or local conference, and professional development workshops that help you translate your academic coursework into job skills.
As a partner in EXP+, the Mardigian Library has a wide variety of resources available to help you develop your research skills based on your field of interest.
Individual faculty and colleges across campus provide opportunities for research experience. These include:
- CASL students can explore independent study or research
- CECS students may fill out this form to get connected with a faculty member in their area of interest
- COB students may apply to participate as a student researcher in iLabs
Student Grants
EXP+ manages independent research grants for both graduate and undergraduate students. A grant is also available for travel-related expenses and/or for presentation materials for students who are presenting papers/presentations based on research conducted at the University of Michigan-Dearborn at regional and national professional meetings or conferences. These grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis for both undergraduate and graduate student researchers for independent research projects designed and conducted by UM-Dearborn students. The proposed project must be part of a course for credit and supervised by a faculty member. More information about each is below.
This grant of up to $500 is to provide support for UM-Dearborn undergraduates designing and conducting independent research as part of a course requirement. The proposed project must be part of a course for credit and supervised by a faculty member. Applications are accepted throughout the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) as long as funds are available. Applicants must be enrolled students pursuing a degree at UM-Dearborn during the entire project period, and the proposed project must satisfy a course requirement. There is a limit of one award per applicant per program per fiscal year (July 1st - June 30th). View this page for complete eligibility and budgetary guidelines and to apply. Interested and eligible students may apply here.
This grant of up to $2,500 is to provide support for UM-Dearborn graduate students designing and conducting independent research as part of a course requirement. The proposed project must be part of a course for credit and supervised by a faculty member. Applications are accepted throughout the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) as long as funds are available. Applicants must be enrolled students pursuing a degree at UM-Dearborn during the entire project period, and the proposed project must satisfy a course requirement. There is a limit of one award per applicant per program per fiscal year (July 1st - June 30th). View this page for complete eligibility and budgetary guidelines. Interested and eligible students may apply here.
This grant is available for travel-related expenses (up to $500) and/or for presentation materials (up to $40) for undergraduate and graduate students who are presenting papers/presentations based on research conducted at the University of Michigan-Dearborn at regional and national professional meetings or conferences. Applications will be routed to faculty advisor approval by Experience+. Applications are accepted throughout the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) as long as funds are available. Applicants must be currently enrolled students pursuing a degree at UM-Dearborn or have graduated within eight months from UM-Dearborn. Students can only receive one grant for travel ($500) and one for presentation materials ($40) per fiscal year (July 1st - June 30th). View this page for further information. Interested and eligible students may apply here.
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
Starting with the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), Experience+ aims to grow and enhance the undergraduate research experience for UM-Dearborn students. The SURE program provides current students the opportunity to participate in individual research projects under the mentorship of faculty while learning about research-oriented careers.