NIU UR2PhD Frequently Asked Questions

UR2PhD pronounced "you are to PhD" is a national program developed by the Computing Research Association to help undergraduate students prepare for university research experiences and feel more confident considering graduate study.

At NIU, UR2PhD includes:

• Undergraduate research experiences
• Research training
• Graduate-student mentor training
• Faculty mentorship
• Workshops about research, research careers, and graduate school
• Opportunities to connect with a supportive research community

The NIU chapter is coordinated by the Office of Innovation and hosted at the 71 North Partnership Studio.

Our local team helps participants understand the program, connect with mentors and research teams, and navigate the available training and opportunities.

The 71 North Partnership Studio is located on the lower level of Founders Memorial Library.

It is a collaborative space where NIU students, faculty, staff, and external partners work together on research, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and community-focused projects. Learn more about the Office of Innovation.

UR2PhD at NIU is open to students from across the university.

There are two primary student pathways:

1. Undergraduate Researcher — Join a research project, work with mentors and peers, and complete structured research training.
2. Graduate Mentor — Mentor undergraduate researchers while completing formal training in effective and inclusive research mentorship.

Faculty members can also participate by forming research teams and mentoring students.

No. Although UR2PhD has a strong connection to computing research, many research projects are interdisciplinary.

Students from areas such as the humanities, engineering, psychology, data science, design, health sciences, mathematics, education, business, and economics may have relevant perspectives and skills.

The important question is not simply, “What is your major?” It is also, “How might your interests and abilities contribute to a research team?”

No.

UR2PhD can help you explore whether research or graduate school might be right for you. You do not need to have already decided that you want to earn a Ph.D.

The experience can also prepare you for careers that value research, analytical thinking, technical communication, teamwork, project management, and problem-solving.

Depending on your pathway, UR2PhD can help you:

• Learn how university research works
• Gain experience contributing to a real research project
• Build relationships with faculty, graduate students, and peers
• Develop technical and professional skills
• Become more confident working through unfamiliar problems
• Learn about research careers and graduate programs
• Prepare stronger graduate-school or research-opportunity applications
• Practice explaining your work through presentations, proposals, and research documentation

As an undergraduate researcher, you will join a small research team and contribute to a project under the guidance of faculty and graduate-student mentors.

Your work may include:

• Reading and discussing research articles
• Helping define a research question
• Collecting or analyzing data
• Writing or testing software
• Designing or evaluating a prototype
• Conducting interviews or usability studies
• Documenting research activities
• Participating in team meetings
• Preparing a proposal, presentation, poster, or demonstration

Your exact responsibilities will depend on the project and your team.

No.

The undergraduate pathway is specifically designed to help students begin their first research experience. Students are paired with mentors and peers, and the research training course guides them through the process.

Not necessarily.

Some projects may require programming or other technical skills, but research teams also need students who can contribute through design, data analysis, testing, communication, documentation, project coordination, literature reviews, or subject-matter knowledge.

Be honest about what you currently know and what you would like to learn.

We still encourage you to explore the opportunity.

Research is a learning process. We do not expect first-time researchers to arrive knowing how to do everything.

Curiosity, dependability, communication, persistence, and a willingness to ask questions are important research skills.

Undergraduate participants work on a research project while completing a synchronous research-training course.

The standard course meets for approximately two hours once a week for about ten weeks. Students complete assignments such as research logs, a group research proposal, and a final presentation. There are no exams or quizzes. A condensed four-week summer option may also be available.

No. UR2PhD emphasizes team-based research.

Undergraduate research teams generally include:

• Two to four undergraduate researchers
• A faculty research mentor
• A graduate-student mentor, when available

You will learn with your team and receive guidance throughout the research experience.

The undergraduate pathway asks students to identify a faculty research mentor, form a team of two to four undergraduate researchers, and work with that mentor to define an appropriate project before applying to the research-training course.

Do not let that stop you from expressing interest. Contact the NIU UR2PhD team when you are interested but do not yet know how to find a mentor or research team. We can help you understand possible next steps.

You may submit your interest, but participation in the full undergraduate research-training course requires an appropriate project and faculty mentor.

Students who are still exploring research may also participate in open workshops and other introductory opportunities before joining a formal research team.

Yes. UR2PhD is intended to make research more accessible to undergraduate students at different stages of their education.

Your readiness will be evaluated based on the project, mentor expectations, your availability, and your willingness to learn—not only on your year in school.

Undergraduate researchers may receive course credit, compensation, or both, depending on the project and the arrangement made with the faculty mentor and academic program.

Students and mentors should discuss this arrangement before the research experience begins.

The research-training course meets synchronously for approximately two hours per week. You will also need time for:

• Research activities
• Team meetings
• Mentor check-ins
• Weekly assignments
• Research documentation

The total commitment will vary by project. Before joining, discuss the expected weekly schedule with your mentor and research team.

Yes.

Because the course is collaborative and synchronous, students must be able to attend at the same time as their team. Participants are expected to arrive on time, keep their cameras on during virtual sessions, participate actively, and miss no more than two sessions.

UR2PhD is intended to be the beginning of a research journey rather than a one-time activity.

Undergraduate participants are expected to continue working with their faculty mentor after the training term whenever possible. Students may also pursue additional research opportunities, conference presentations, funded research experiences, or graduate-school preparation activities.

Students who complete the undergraduate course may become eligible for additional opportunities, including up to $8,000 in Research Experiences for Undergraduates funding and up to $2,000 in technical-conference travel funding. Eligibility and availability depend on the applicable UR2PhD requirements and funding process.

Graduate mentors help undergraduate students learn how to participate effectively in research.

A graduate mentor may:

• Meet regularly with an undergraduate researcher
• Help clarify tasks and expectations
• Explain research processes and methods
• Provide feedback on work in progress
• Help students respond to setbacks
• Encourage questions and reflection
• Support communication within the research team
• Help create an inclusive and welcoming research environment

Graduate mentors do more than supervise tasks. They help students develop as researchers.

The graduate pathway is designed for graduate students who are actively mentoring—or preparing to mentor—undergraduate students in research.

Priority may be given to graduate students mentoring participants in the undergraduate research-training course.

You do not need to already be an expert mentor.

The purpose of the course is to help you develop practical mentorship skills, learn how to adapt your communication to different students, and create your own mentorship philosophy.

The course is virtual and synchronous.

During some weeks, participants meet live through Zoom. During other weeks, participants respond to a discussion prompt through Canvas. Graduate mentors need access to a working webcam and microphone. An optional Discord community may also be available for sharing questions and advice with other mentors.

Graduate mentors learn how to:

• Build productive mentoring relationships
• Set clear expectations
• Design and adapt undergraduate research projects
• Communicate with students at different experience levels
• Provide helpful feedback
• Create inclusive research environments
• Develop an individual mentorship philosophy
• Connect with graduate mentors at other universities

Graduate students who successfully meet the course expectations may receive a $1,000 stipend.

Students may also participate as volunteers when they do not wish to receive the stipend or when another arrangement is more appropriate.

Graduate mentors must:

• Attend required sessions
• Arrive on time
• Participate actively
• Keep their cameras on during live sessions
• Avoid multitasking during the course
• Continue mentoring their undergraduate researcher throughout the term

More than two unexcused absences or failure to participate fully may make a mentor ineligible for the stipend.

The pathway is primarily intended for graduate students actively mentoring an undergraduate researcher.

Contact the NIU UR2PhD team when you are interested in the training but have not yet been matched with a student. We can help you determine whether there is an appropriate way to participate.

Complete the NIU UR2PhD Undergraduate Application.

Before applying to the full research-training course, undergraduate students should begin identifying a faculty mentor, research project, and potential undergraduate teammates.

Complete the NIU UR2PhD Graduate Mentor Application.

Graduate applicants should be prepared to describe their research area, mentoring responsibilities, and the undergraduate researcher or team they expect to support.

No.

Submitting an application lets the NIU UR2PhD team know that you are interested. Participation depends on factors such as:

• Program capacity
• Course availability
• Mentor and project readiness
• Team formation
• Scheduling
• Eligibility for the selected pathway
• The fit between the participant and research experience

Contact us. You do not need to figure everything out alone.

We can help you understand the available pathways and determine what steps may make sense based on your interests, experience, and current role at NIU.