Advancing Research Culture (ARC)

The Advancing Research Culture (ARC) program, piloted in Spring 2025, introduces first-year WashU undergraduate students to research by connecting them with ongoing faculty research projects. Through this hands-on experience, students explore their academic interests, gain early exposure to the research process, and develop foundational research skills that can benefit their future academic experience and development. In addition to forming a relationship with a faculty member, ARC participants become part of an interdisciplinary cohort of peers to enhance learning and a sense of community.

Program Details

  • ARC is aimed at first-year students with little or no prior research experience to provide them with an early opportunity to develop research skills and explore academic interests in a hands-on setting.
  • The program will offer opportunities for academic credit during the Spring 2026 semester.
  • Students eligible for federal work-study may also be able to use those funds to support their research and are especially encouraged to apply. Eligibility for ARC is not restricted based upon race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex or gender.

Applications for the Spring 2026 cohort of ARC are now closed. 

For more information, the ARC Student FAQ addresses ARC eligibility, the application, and program logistics. Please feel free to direct any unanswered questions to the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR; undergradresearch@wustl.edu). 

ARC is made possible by the generous support of WashU Global and the Office of the Provost. 

Timeline

Faculty Project Proposals (due Oct. 6, 2025)

Faculty are encouraged to consider how undergraduates can contribute to ongoing research efforts while gaining exposure to the research process. ARC is designed to engage first-year students new to research, so projects requiring highly specialized skills or significant independent work might not be the best fit.

Student Application (open Oct. 15 - Nov. 5, 2025)

Prior to applying, students will review a list of available research projects and identify those that align with their interests and goals. Applicants must ensure the time commitment required by the faculty mentor (and the corresponding academic credit hours) are feasible for their schedule, keeping in mind their other commitments.

OUR Student-Faculty Matching (students notified Dec. 12, 2025)

The OUR will match students to projects based on their interests and the project's learning goals. Faculty mentors will have final approval and may request to meet with students as part of the matching process.

Program Begins (Jan. 12, 2026)

ARC students will begin their hands-on research experiences the first week of Spring 2026 semester. In addition to their research hours, students will engage in monthly gatherings with their ARC cohort to reflect on and synthesize their learning and build community.

Other resources to help you get started

Outside of ARC, most WashU undergraduates find research opportunities through a student-led process of identifying and contacting potential faculty mentors. The OUR website has lots of asynchronous resources to support this process!

Get Started

Benefits of Participation

  • Gain hands-on research experience, build confidence, and develop skills valuable in any field to lay a foundation for future opportunities
  • Explore different fields of study before declaring a major
  • Receive guidance from faculty mentors and support from the OUR while connecting with peers to form a research community
  • Earn 1-3 units of academic credit for your research work (number of credits will depend on the time commitment required by the mentor; 2-3 hours/week per credit unit)
  • Federal work-study eligible students may be able to apply these funds to support their research work

Eligibility

  • Open to all first-year WashU undergraduates in good academic standing
  • Projects will require a time commitment of 3 to 10 hours per week. Commitment will vary based on nature of faculty project as listed in the project outlines.
  • Students chosen for ARC will be enrolled in a Directed Studies course within the host department. Should you choose to apply, please plan for those additional credits in your workload; enrollment is not optional.
  • No previous research experience is required, but a strong curiosity about research and a willingness to learn are essential. 

Getting Started FAQ

Find answers to frequently asked questions by undergraduates interested in getting started in research

WashU Research Ambassador Program (WRAP)

Peer mentors can advise you based on their experience with UG research

Make an Appointment with the OUR

It is never too early or too late to consult with OUR Staff

Application Components and Process

Prior to applying, students will review the available research projects and identify those that align with their interests and goals. Applicants must ensure the time commitment required by the faculty mentor and the corresponding academic credit hours are feasible for their schedule, keeping in mind any other commitments they may have. In the application portal, students will (see blank application):

  • Complete a basic eligibility check (see ARC student FAQ) and a student information form (e.g., name, email, intended major, anticipated credit hours for SP26)
  • Select and rank up to three research project choices
  • Complete short answer questions describing what they hope to gain from the ARC experience and their interest and fit for the chosen projects

The OUR selects students for ARC based on their potential to grow through a mentored research experience. We then match selected students to projects based on how well their stated interests and strengths align with the learning goals and qualities faculty outlined in their proposals. Because student interest varies across projects, students may not receive their top-ranked choice, if matched.

Please note that faculty only see the applications of students matched to their projects, and being matched does not guarantee placement with a project. Faculty mentors have final approval of participants the OUR matches to their project. In some cases, faculty may request to meet with students as part of the matching process. Students will only be notified of their placement once a mentor has confirmed their selection. Students can only work with one mentor. 

Successful applicants will be manually enrolled in Directed Studies courses (1-3 credits) within their host departments for the Spring 2026 semester. 

Important Dates

  • Student application opens: October 15
  • Student application closes: November 5 at 12:00 pm (noon)
  • Notify students of application status: December 12
  • Deadline for admitted students to accept/decline: December 19

Students who have questions about the ARC program can explore the ARC student FAQs or reach out to the OUR at undergradresearch@wustl.edu.

I definitely want to keep doing research. Coming into the project with very little experience but succeeding means that I can expand my horizons past what I have already done and know to things I am curious about.

― First-year participant SP25 ARC pilot

Acknowledgements

Undergraduate Research thanks WashU Global and the Office of the Provost for their financial support of the ARC program.