Are you interested in getting involved in undergraduate research? A research experience can help you learn valuable skills for your future career, prepare you for graduate school, and help you decide if research is a good fit for you. Our guide will help you find research experiences, contact research faculty, and get the most out of your research experience.
Types of Research Experiences
Undergraduate research experiences generally fall into 3 categories. You can try out all of these types of research experiences during your time at UT.
1. On-Campus Research Experiences
These are research experiences at UT and can happen year-round. Some are paid and others are unpaid. Often, an unpaid experience can turn into a paid one over time through fellowships or grants. Positions in labs on-campus aren't often posted to a job board; instead you will need to contact professors to see if they have any openings in their labs. Learn more about how to contact professors through the Getting Started in Research Guide.
2. Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs)
Participating in research during the summer allows students to focus on their projects in a more intensive way that may not be possible during the academic year. UT Austin students are able to do research in labs on campus as well as through programs hosted by outside institutions. Official programs hosted by other institutions usually have an application cycle.
- Summer Research Experience Resources
- EduMed's Guide to Summer Research & Internship Opportunities
- Funding Your Research
3. Freshman Research Initiative (FRI)
The Freshman Research Initiative (FRI) is the nation’s largest undergraduate research program at a single institution, where first-year students experience the excitement of scientific discovery firsthand. Participants do real-world research, use cutting-edge lab equipment, develop technological innovations, and publish papers in peer-reviewed science journals. The end result is students who are better prepared for the future and more likely to excel in the sciences, math and technology. Some students will transition to other research labs after starting out in FRI as well.