Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity

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

Equipped with safety gear, people work from boats and in shallow water, removing plants from a marshy area surrounded by tall grass and lily pads—a scene highlighting research and innovation on a sunny day.

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.

Visit the LSRI Page

A team of Transportation and Logistics and Supply Chain Management students from the University of Wisconsin-Superior recently traveled to Jacksonville, Florida, to compete in the 2025 Logistics & Supply Chain Management Case Competition. From left, Joel Lembke, Tamami Igeta, Dr. Mei Cao, Rille Kupka, Tyler Ryder

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.

Visit the TLRC Page

A white lighthouse with a red light stands on a pier, partially shrouded in mist, overlooking a calm, fog-covered body of water under an overcast sky.

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.

Learn More

Collaborators in the Lake Superior Headwaters Sustainability Partnership visit Allouez Bay in Superior by canoe this past November. A detailed restoration vision was completed for the area in 2022. (Photo by Deanna Erickson, Lake Superior Reserve)

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.

Learn More About LSNERR

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.

Complete Your PASS Agreement

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 $1,750 (100 hours) or $3,500 (200 hours). Mentors also receive a stipend to provide guidance and support to the student over the summer.

Typically, the schedule is as follows:

September: Call for Proposals announced
March: Application deadline
April: Awards Announced
June-August: Students complete their projects
October: Campus symposium

SURF 2026 Call for Proposals

SURF 2026 Proposal Guidelines

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.