About UR2PhD Undergraduate Path

As an undergraduate researcher, UR2PhD pairs you with a faculty and graduate student mentor and a small team of peers for a synchronous training course that walks you through your first research project — no prior experience needed. Alongside the course, workshops on computing research, research careers, and grad school are open to any student who wants to learn more, helping you pursue graduate study with more comfort and confidence.

Why Participate?

  • Learn and practice real research skills while earning course credit or pay
  • Build a peer network with undergraduate researchers at NIU and beyond
  • Develop relationships with mentors and advisors who can serve as future references
  • Hear from guest speakers across North America about computing research and its sub-disciplines
  • Learn about research careers, graduate programs, and funding — up to $8,000 in REU funding and up to $2,000 in technical conference travel funding for students who complete the course
  • Develop your own research identity, and practice thinking about the social, ethical, and cultural impact of your work

How to Get Involved

  • Find a faculty research mentor and build a team of 2-4 undergraduate researchers
  • Work with your mentor to scope out a research project suited to your team’s level
  • Coordinate with your advisor on timing, and whether you’ll get course credit or compensation from your home institution
  • Apply to the research training course, referencing your mentor and research partners

UR2PhD is meant to be a stepping stone into a research career, not a one-off — you’re expected to keep working with your mentor after the term ends. To participate, you’ll need to be able to attend synchronous course sessions at the same time as your team.

The course meets as a 2-hour synchronous class once a week for about 10 weeks (a condensed 4-week summer track is also offered), with weekly assignments like research logs, a group research proposal, and a final presentation — no exams or quizzes. You’re expected to show up on time with your camera on and miss no more than 2 sessions.

How Can UR2PhD Fit Into My Career Goals?

There’s no standard pathway or one-size-fits-all model for research — whether you’re starting your first year or already a junior, UR2PhD can help shape your competitiveness for several opportunities, such as:

  • Research training course → continued research with your faculty mentor → travel funding to present your research → graduate school application workshops
  • Engagement and awareness workshops → research training course → graduate school application workshops → continued research activities
  • Engagement and awareness workshops → research training course → REU funding to continue research activities → graduate school application workshops

Resources

Here are some resources to help you learn more about the program:

Links