Campus Programs on One Page
CU Boulder's constellation of programs engages undergraduates in research and creative activity while connecting with the academic life of the campus—and beyond!
McNair Scholars
McNair Scholars is a federal TRIO program funded at 206 institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico by the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to provide disadvantaged college students with effective preparation for doctoral study through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. McNair participants are undergraduate students who have demonstrated high academic potential and are either first-generation college students with financial need, or members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented in graduate education as defined by federal TRIO regulations.
Faculty, Staff, & Instructors:
We encourage the nomination of outstanding students to apply to become McNair Scholars. Nominate a Student.
Arts & Sciences
Studio Lab was officially launched in 2020 to provide top-notch hands-on training for undergraduate students. We admit undergraduate students who are matched with mentor-led projects from a wide array of disciplines in the College of Arts & Sciences. Mentors include tenure-track faculty members, Ph.D. candidates, and full-time researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder. We hold social events for our students and mentors, and a big end-of-year reception at which everyone presents their work.
Studio Lab is a unique experience for students
- Recruits broadly and prioritizes admitting a diverse set of students. This will include connecting with CU Lead Alliance programs to promote the opportunity to historically under-represented groups on campus.
- Promotes an inclusive climate through lab events and student presentations
- Provides a stepping stone to future success. Studio Lab students gain valuable skills and experience to include on their resumes to make them competitive for prestigious scholarships and internships
- Develops real world professional skills including data collection and analysis, writing, presenting, publishing, and teamwork
- Includes a wide range of research including work on political theory and philosophy, quantitative social science research, public policy analysis, international relations, and politics around the world. Recent projects have included topics like covid-19 in Bolivia and Russia, understanding citizenship, peacekeeping, human rights, immigration policies in Qatar, policy shocks in the Middle East, and misinformation in the US media
Engineering & Applied Science
Undergraduates are an integral part of the research community in the College of Engineering & Applied Science. Students working on research projects work closely with faculty and graduate student mentors across all disciplines. Undergraduate research will help you develop critical thinking skills, gain hands-on experience, and increase your self confidence as you work through real-life problem solving. In addition, you will be building your network by engaging with faculty, graduate students and other undergraduate students in the lab.