Texas Tech University

Undergraduate Research Scholar Program

Undergraduate Research Scholar Program

Purpose

The purpose of the CISER Undergraduate Research Program is to encourage undergraduate students interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) to be engaged in an authentic research experience.

Program Description

The TTU/HHMI Undergraduate Research Scholars (URS) were the cornerstone of our program. We support early and continuous involvement by undergraduate students in long-term research projects, mentored by faculty. Since 1992, we have supported the research efforts of over 500 students. These students have been authors on over 110 scientific publications (including first authorship and publications in the leading journals of the respective fields).
They have presented their research at over 350 professional scientific meetings. CISER supports many student groups. In 1997, the undergraduate research Scholars created a recognized student organization on campus, the TTU/HHMI Scholar Service Organization (SSO). Monthly SSO meetings facilitate planning for Scholar research and service projects like the TTU/HHMI Undergraduate Research Conference (now sponsored by TTU), community-wide Hike 4 Health, TTU Research Carnival, Scholar Research Forum, Research Retreats to the TTU Junction Campus with Clark/PRISM/PBBP Scholars, involvement in K-12 schools, tutoring TTU students and sponsoring Research Roundtables with faculty mentors. The SSO meetings also provide an opportunity for scholars to socialize and share their research and educational experiences, building relationship that last a lifetime. The TTU SACNAS Chapter was established by CISER in 2003 as the first in the nation and offers opportunities for research travel and meeting support for underrepresented minorities in science. The successful NIH Bridges to Baccalaureate Program Scholars receives event funding and undergraduate research opportunities at Texas Tech when they transfer from South Plains College.
Scholars are award-winning leaders at Texas Tech and continue to excel as stellar TTU alumni, who are involved with CISER as mentors and supporters of the program.
Note: The program does not provide room and board during the summer or academic year. It does not pay tuition and fees. The award does not qualify a student for in-state tuition.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this program, students must:

  1. be a full-time undergraduate students in good academic standing;
  2. be interested in research and service in the STEM disciplines;
  3. be either an American citizen or permanent resident, or, in the case of foreign nationals, hold a visa allowing her/him to work in this country;
  4. be committed to a long-term research experience, and be able and willing to maintain a serious and ongoing commitment to their research project during the academic year;
  5. and have worked on a research project for at least 3 months and have a recommendation/evaluation from their faculty research mentor or supervisor who should describe the applicant's abilities relative to the potential success of to be eligible for scholarship support.
The URS application is open year round, and applicants are interviewed when Scholar positions become available. If selected and pending satisfactory progress, Scholars may be renewed for each subsequent year, until graduation.

Questions? Contact Julie Isom, Associate Director of Research @ CISER julie.isom@ttu.edu

DISCLAIMER: Texas Tech University is committed to the principle that in no aspect of its programs shall there be differences in the treatment of persons because of race, creed, national origin, age, sex or disability, and that equal opportunity and access to facilities shall be available to all.