Undergraduate research involves exploring a specific topic and making original discoveries about it. Undergraduate research can be performed by any ACES student in any major. No research experience is necessary. Your research will be guided by a faculty mentor.
By engaging in undergraduate research, you will:
The Illinois Office of Undergraduate Research is a great resource for information to being your undergraduate research journey. The College of ACES also hosts many undergraduate research workshops throughout the school year. But the best way to get started with undergraduate research is to approach a professor whose research interests you. Think about your favorite courses and what inspires you about your field. Your undergraduate advisor can also help get your connected with researchers in your field.
The College of ACES offers many programs focused on undergraduate research including:
If you have any questions about undergraduate research, please email Rob Chappell.
Since 1982, the College of ACES has supported the ACES Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program to provide research opportunities for qualified students who demonstrate superior academic ability and a strong interest in research related to the agricultural, consumer, and environmental sciences.
Students are eligible for the ACES Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program if they meet the following general requirements:
Approved projects are funded up to $1,500, based on a project budget sheet submitted with the application. Students whose projects are approved are also awarded a $500 merit scholarship for the academic term during which the research project is conducted.
Project proposals are accepted and reviewed throughout the calendar year on a rolling basis. However, submitting project proposals a few months before starting the research project is strongly encouraged. The Faculty Research Mentor for the proposed project needs to have a current faculty and/or research appointment within the College of ACES.
Applicants are strongly urged to identify and define an appropriate research project well in advance of their application date. Application forms and additional program information are available from the Honors Desk in the ACES Academic Programs Office.
Project proposals should follow the format shown on the application form and are limited to two pages plus a budget sheet and a title page. The project budget should itemize all funds necessary to support the proposed research. Allowable expenses include laboratory supplies (e.g., chemicals, glassware, biological materials, etc.), other disposable supplies, and off-campus travel necessary to collect data. Funds will not be provided for wages or major equipment purchases. Any budget items that are not self-explanatory should be justified in footnotes.
A project report (two or three pages) summarizing research findings should be submitted by email to the Honors Dean at the conclusion of the project. Students are also expected to display their findings in a poster session at the ACES Undergraduate Research Symposium (April), at the Campus Undergraduate Research Symposium (April), or at another scholastic event or professional meeting approved in advance by the Honors Dean.
An undergraduate researcher whose paper or poster has been accepted and who plans to present research results at a professional meeting may apply for up to $800 to help defray travel expenses.
Projects that lead to publication of full-length papers in peer-reviewed journals may qualify for up to $500 toward publication expenses. To qualify, the published paper needs to list the undergraduate researcher as an author and acknowledge the support of the ACES Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program.
Requests for supplemental funding (application forms downloadable below) should be directed to the Honors Dean and need to provide evidence that an appropriate research paper or poster has been scheduled for presentation and/or accepted for publication. Requests for travel funds should be submitted to the Honors Dean at least 30 days prior to professional meetings.
Undergraduate researchers may receive academic credit (typically up to three hours) by registering for an independent study course (usually a 200-level course [for non-James Scholars] or a 300-level course [for James Scholars or Chancellor's Scholars]). Standard registration procedures should be observed, with the final grade to be assigned by the Faculty Research Mentor when all project requirements have been met.
Established in fall 2017, the Campbell Scholars Program provides undergraduate research funding to students enrolled in the College of ACES who are James Baldwin Turner (JBT) scholarship recipients. Similar to the ACES Undergraduate Scholarship funding, this award provides money for research to be completed. Up to $2,500 per project is possible. Please follow the links below to access more information about this program and download the application form. The next proposal submission deadline is Monday, April 12, 2020, at 5 p.m. (CDT).
The ACES Office of Academic Programs is offering summer internships to qualified students. Applications are being accepted from sophomores and juniors currently enrolled in the College of ACES with an overall GPA of 3.00 or above.
Please refer to Handshake @ Illinois to apply.
Inquiries and application materials should be directed to: Jean Drasgow, Director of Career Services ACES Academic Programs 115 ACES Library jdrasgow@illinois.edu
The Ignite Program pairs incoming freshman students with a faculty member in their major to assist with that professor’s research. The goal of this program is to encourage freshman to connect with others in their major and engage in research to solve real-world problems.
Ignite students are paid hourly for their work up to $1,500 for the academic year. Additionally, Ignite faculty-mentors are provided with a $500 stipend to facilitate undergraduate research. After completing the Ignite program, it is possible that students remain employed in their mentor’s program.
In addition to performing undergraduate research, Ignite students are also offered the opportunity to participate in a series of workshops about undergraduate research and other enrichment opportunities in the College of ACES. Ignite students present the results of their research in the spring or fall of the year by given a two- to three-minute presentation about one thing they learned during their experience.
Membership in the Ignite Program is offered to high-achieving incoming freshman. Students admitted to majors that are participating in Ignite will be sent an application form via email. Once students are selected for the program, students must compete the needed paperwork to be employed by the university when they arrive on campus.