Eligibility

Applying

Student Grants

Students

Students must be degree-seeking undergraduates at the University of Colorado Boulder to apply for UROP funding and should not plan to graduate before the end of a proposed project's grant term—no exceptions. All student grants must be supervised by an eligible mentor.

Mentors

Tenured/tenure-track research and teaching faculty, professional researchers and practitioners, and postdoctoral scholars at the University of Colorado Boulder and Anschutz Medical Campus are eligible to mentor Student Grants and apply for Faculty Grants.

Additional Supervisors

Graduate students may serve as the "Additional Supervisor" on student grants and provide the majority of mentorship, but the project mentor must provide some direct mentoring to the undergraduate.

Special Circumstances

Students may not receive UROP funding for CUREs (course-embedded research)—that is, they are enrolled in a course with a research component. Students may earn course credit for their project activities while receiving UROP funding in the following circumstances:

  • The student is enrolled in an independent study course with their mentor.
  • The student is enrolled in a thesis or thesis prep. course.

Students graduating in the Fall Term (December) may apply for Academic Year Grants if they meet all other eligibility criteria and should be aware the following guidelines:

  • Fall graduates will only be awarded half the value of the grant funding amount.
  • Students must indicate the intent to graduate in the Fall when applying.
  • The Final Survey deadline will be earlier for students graduating in the Fall term (December).

Students pursuing concurrent Bachelor’s/Master’s degrees are eligible for UROP funding until they transition to “graduate status."  Students should consult with their departmental advisors about their program guidelines before applying for UROP funding.

Because UROP Grants are categorized as income, all student-athletes regardless of sport or scholarship status, may receive funding without financial aid implications. But student-athletes must report the award to CU Athletics.​
If you are an undocumented and/or DACA student, we will work with you to find the best payment option for your circumstances. Contact us at urop@colorado.edu for instructions and documentation—and let us know as you have questions.

International students may apply for UROP Grants if they meet all other eligibility criteria. If you are a non-resident, we will work with you to find the best payment option for your circumstances. If you do not have a social security number (SSN), you might need to apply for one to receive payment from UROP (or arrange an alternative form of payment).  Contact us for instructions and documentation—and let us know as you have questions.

UROP supports research and creative work that involves travel, and we encourage students planning travel to connect with us early in the planning process. Our guidelines require that 1) students’ travel plans are necessitated by project goals, AND 2) the majority of the students’ time abroad is invested in project activities. Students participating in institutionally or externally organized programs are not eligible for UROP funding during the grant term in which the program occurs—even if the program involves on-site research OR students intend to pursue projects either concurrently or consecutively with the study abroad program. Students may apply for UROP funding in a grant term either before OR after a term involving a study abroad program. For example: If a student plans to participate in a study abroad program during the Summer term, they may apply for UROP funding in the following Academic Year. Conversely, students may apply for UROP funding for the Summer term—even if they plan to participate in a study abroad program in the Academic Year.

EligibilityTimelineExpectationsComplianceReview

  Presentation: 
     Writing Grant Proposals

  Worksheet: 
     Student Compliance

  Worksheet: 
     Assistantships

  Worksheet:
     Individual Grants

Avoid these common errors:

The proposal contains inaccurate information, typographical errors, etc. Be sure to carefully proof your writing well before the application deadline.

Either the student or their mentor are not eligible to apply for UROP funding. Review the eligibility guidelines and consider adding ineligible mentors as an "additional supervisor."

The proposal contains personally identifiable information (PII), such as the student or mentor's name. Remove all PII—even on the mentor's endorsement.

The application misses an important campus policy compliance procedure. Talk to your mentor if you have questions about working with human or animal subjects, planning travel or contributing to an NSF and/or NIH-funded project.

 

 

Summer 2025

Open Opportunities

Explore funded, open opportunities mentored by CU Boulder faculty!

 

 

Academic Year 2025-26

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) represents an opportunity to enable student-centered education that makes the most of CU Boulder’s global leadership in research and creative production. With well-documented benefits from persistence to postgraduate success, engagement in the research and creative life of the university can clarify career paths and prepare students for the future of work. Donations support empowering opportunities in all fields of study. Give Now.