Sparking and Fostering Curiosity
The UW-Superior Center for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity (URSCA) promotes, recognizes and celebrates undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity in all academic disciplines. We provide support, resources, and opportunities for students, faculty and staff.
What is undergraduate research?
Undergraduate research is an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline.
Why do undergraduate research?
Working on scholarly or creative projects with a faculty member is an opportunity for you to become actively involved in creating knowledge and new meaning within a field of study.
This method of experiential learning provides a hands-on approach to learning. Not only that, it is typically hard work, fun, and very satisfying. This type of study is not only a great experience, but it provides crucial preparation for both graduate school and the work world.
You will learn not only about the specific content area you are researching, but also important skills such as:
- How to work collaboratively with a faculty member and/or other student colleagues
- How to pose an important question in your field
- How to design a research plan or an approach to answering the question
- How to collect and analyze data, or analyze texts or other information to test your hypothesis or support your argument
- How to communicate the results of your work through poster and oral presentations and papers
You are also likely to increase your self-confidence in your ability to carry out a major project and recognize whether or not post-graduate research (graduate school) is for you.
The Benefits of Undergraduate Research
- Provides early exposure to research areas, helping students in career decision-making
- Teaches collaboration in the workplace
- Engages students in cross-cultural communication and connects them to community needs through Academic Service-Learning
UW-Superior’s Research Centers: Opportunities for Students
Lake Superior Research Center
Student employment opportunities are available through the Lake Superior Research Institute (LSRI). Contact LSRI Director, Matt TenEyck, for more information about job openings.
Transportation and Logistics Research Center
The Transportation and Logistics Research Center (TLRC) provides applied transportation and logistics research opportunities for students in the Transportation and Logistics program. For more information, contact TLRC.
Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute
As part of the TLRC, the Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute works with universities around the Great Lakes to coordinate research into marine transportation, logistics, engineering, environmental planning, and port management. For more information, contact TLRC.
Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve
The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve works in partnerships to improve the understanding of Lake Superior estuaries and coastal resources while addressing issues affecting coastal communities through an integrated program of research, education, outreach, and stewardship. Student internships and employment opportunities are available with LSNERR. Contact the Reserve for more information.
Partnership Agreement For UW-Superior Students (PASS Agreement)
As required by the Universities of Wisconsin, students need to have a Partnership Agreement for UW-Superior Students (PASS Agreement) on file before they begin any undergraduate or graduate internship, academic service-learning, community-based research, volunteering, field work, practicum, clinicals, student-teaching, capstone or other types of community engagement experiences with an external organization. At UW-Superior, all PASS Agreements are facilitated through the Link Center.
Summer Undergraduate Research Program
The Summer Undergraduate Research program provides a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to spend the summer working on a research or scholarly project with the support of a faculty or staff mentor. Students submit proposals for either a developmental project or a fellowship. After a competitive review process, chosen applicants receive a stipend to support them while they complete their project during a 10-week period in the summer. Depending on the size of the project, students are awarded either a Development Award of $1,750 (100 hours) or a Fellowship Award of $3,500 (200 hours). Mentors also receive a $1,500 stipend to provide guidance and support to the student over the 10 week summer program.
Timeline for Application & SURF Participation for 2026-2027
- Monday, September 28, 2026 – Application for 2027 SURF Cohort Opens for Submission
- Sunday, November 8, 2026 – Application Deadline for 2027 SURF Cohort
- Friday, December 4, 2026 – 2027 SURF Cohort Decision Letters emailed to Applicants
- January – Orientation for 2027 SURF Cohort
- January – May – Research and Professional Development Workshops for SURF Scholars
- Wednesday, May 26, 2027 – 10 Week Summer SURF Program Begins
- Sunday, August 8, 2027 – 10 Week Summer SURF Program Ends
- Tuesday, October 12, 2027 – UW-Superior Undergraduate Research Symposium
Available SURF Awards
Fellowship Award – 200 Hour Project
- Fellowship awards provide opportunities for students to conceive of and initiate a fully student-driven research, scholarship, or creative activity under the guidance of a faculty, staff, or community mentor.
- Fellowship awards are mentored but students lead the full range of research activities, including project design and implementation, analysis and summary of results, and professional communication of findings.
- Students submitting proposals for fellowship awards should have successfully completed a course-based or employment related research/scholarly/creative activity, and/or a research methods course.
- Proposals may be a collaboration between student and mentor, but should be substantially the work of the student, and should include evidence of student motivation and originality.
Development Award – 100 Hour Project
- Development awards provide opportunities for students who are early in their academic careers, to learn research and scholarly skills and gain experience by working closely with a mentor on a project.
- Development projects are more mentor lead and require more mentor involvement and direction than fellowship awards.
- Students submitting proposals for development awards should show initiative and interest in developing their research skills under the guidance of a mentor and should be appropriate for the student’s level of experience and the 100-hour timeframe.
- Proposals may be written collaboratively by students and mentors but should be submitted by students.
- Acceptable projects include activities such as literature reviews, data collection, analytical work, and exploratory work that lays a foundation for future research.
For more information, contact the URSCA team.
The UW-Superior Alumni and Friends Foundation has been a consistent funder for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, providing continued support for the students and the program. The Foundation also provides numerous scholarships to new and current students.
We’re Here to Help
If you have any questions about undergraduate research, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].