Undergraduate Research Program

Interested in gaining hands-on research experience and preparing for your future career? The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) Undergraduate Research Program (URP) provides funding for CANR students to work with a faculty mentor on a research or scholarly project. Through undergraduate research, students develop technical and professional skills, contribute to meaningful research, and explore future career and graduate school opportunities.

The URP offers funding opportunities three times per year (spring, summer, and fall) and is supported by the MSU Provost's Undergraduate Research Grant Program and the CANR Office of Academic and Student Affairs.

Apply for Undergraduate Research Funding

Link to 2026-27 URP Application Coming Soon!

Spring 2027 Funding Application Deadlines & Notification Dates

Student Application Deadline: Monday, November 2, 2026
Research Mentor Reference Deadline: Monday, November 9, 2026
Notification of Decision: by Friday, December 18, 2026
Funds will be disbursed early in the Spring 2027 semester

Summer 2027 Funding Application Deadlines & Notification Dates

Student Application Deadline: Monday, March 1, 2027
Research Mentor Reference Deadline: Monday, March 8, 2027
Notification of Decision: by Friday, April 16, 2027
Funds will be disbursed early in the Summer 2027 semester

Fall 2027 Funding Application Deadlines & Notification Dates

Student Application Deadline: Monday, April 12, 2027
Research Mentor Reference Deadline: Monday, April 19, 2027
Preliminary Feedback*: by Friday, May 14, 2027
Notification of Decision: by Monday, August 23, 2027
Funds will be disbursed early in the Fall 2027 semester

*Fall applicants will receive preliminary feedback by the end of the spring semester indicating whether they remain under consideration for funding. Because funding availability is not finalized until the beginning of the next academic year, final award decisions for fall cannot be made until August.

After an application is submitted, the applicant's research mentor will automatically receive a request to complete a reference form. Applicants will receive a confirmation email once the mentor's materials have been submitted. Mentors must submit all materials by the mentor deadline listed above.

Eligibility & Program Details

Applicants must:

Be an MSU undergraduate student with a CANR major.
Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Have at least one semester remaining before graduation when funding is awarded.

Additional program details:

Awards are limited to $2,000 per funding cycle.
At least 80% of the award must directly support the student through wages, travel, and/or presentation expenses.
No more than 20% of the award may be used for travel expenses.
Up to 20% of the award may be used for lab or field supplies.
Students may receive URP funding once per semester, with a maximum of two URP awards during their undergraduate career.
Award recipients are expected to present their work at UURAF and one additional professional venue within 12 months of completing their project.

Getting Started

Interested in applying? Review the resources linked below:

Before You Apply: Learn about funding cycles, identifying a faculty mentor, and the application process.
Application Guidelines: Review requirements for the project description, statement of benefits, presentation plan, and research budget.
Mentor Guidelines: Information for faculty mentors supporting a URP applicant.
Evaluation Rubric: See how applications are evaluated by the URP Selection Committee.

Undergraduate Travel Grants

CANR also offers travel grants to support undergraduate students attending professional conferences and events. Awards typically do not exceed $500 per student. Complete the CANR Undergraduate Travel Grant Requests Form for consideration.