A student talks to a group of younger students in front of a research poster

About Us

The Office of Undergraduate Research supports the larger mission of Washington University in St. Louis to advance and protect the process of inquiry by facilitating and promoting faculty-mentored undergraduate research experiences in all schools and all disciplines.

We help students discern their own research paths:

  • We offer guidance for students in choosing an area of research interest and finding a mentor.
  • We provide opportunities for students to meet potential mentors and to talk with current student researchers.
  • We connect students to current research opportunities at WashU and other universities, as well as other funding sources.
  • We offer a robust resource for students seeking research opportunities through the OUR website, including detailed information about the benefits of research, how to get started as well as opportunities at WashU and other institutions.

We provide resources for students undertaking research projects:

  • We provide financial support for undergraduate research pursued on campus or anywhere in the world in the form of competitively awarded Summer Undergraduate Research Awards for WashU students performing research under the guidance of a faculty mentor.  
  • We provide funding in the form of Conference Travel Awards for students to present their research findings at conferences in their discipline, helping provide presentation and networking experience.
  • We developed a committee dedicated to teaching ethics in research, which provides training and ongoing support to both students and mentors.
  • Our annual Mentor Connections program allows students to explore research topics, practice networking and meet faculty mentors.
  • We facilitate workshops on creating posters, writing abstracts and research ethics.
  • We offer guidance and poster printing services to students presenting research.

We share and disseminate new knowledge gained through research:

  • We sponsor the Undergraduate Research Symposium in the fall and spring as a venue for students to present their research to the greater WashU community. OUR symposia provide opportunities for students to share their research, peer networking and cross-disciplinary conversations and allow students to develop presentation skills.
  • We offer guidance for students in preparing research for presentation, either as a poster or as an oral presentation.
  • We publish articles and abstracts written by undergraduates in the Washington University Undergraduate Research Digest (WUURD).
  • We publish senior honors theses within the Washington University Senior Honors Thesis Abstracts (WUSHTA).

We pursue partnerships and seek collaborations with departments throughout the university to promote excellence, enrich the research experience and publicize the many resources available to students on campus:

  • We actively work to broaden undergraduate participation with faculty in research areas across all disciplines by working with all campus departments, acting as an overarching resource and effective campus partner.
  • We facilitate information sessions and open houses for prospective students, current students and parents to learn more about research.
  • We host conferences and talks about research for students and mentors.
  • We provide funding as well as facilitate funding for research opportunities.

Annual Reports