College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Academics

Thank you for sharing your research expertise with the next generation of academic scholars through the Undergraduate Research Program (URP).

Undergraduate research provides excellent training, experience and preparation for students who will pursue graduate degrees, medical and other professional school, as well as government and industrial research and development activities.

To make the best use of time, talent and resources provided by undergraduate research grants, please keep the following hints in mind.

Mentor recommendations

The URP funds are for students whose primary major is in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) only. Seniors in their last semester before graduation are not eligible for research funds.

Students can be expected to work eight to 12 hours per week. If their duties will require more or less time at certain points of the semester, give your student advance notice of the expected intense work periods.

• Request support for only ONE student applicant for this CANR URP funding source per funding cycle.
• Acquaint your research mentee with the scope of your project. Although students may have specific duties with a narrow aspect of the work, a vision of the big picture helps students understand the importance of their duties.
• Review the Hints for Applications and the Evaluation Rubric for URP Applications to better understand what students will be submitting and your role.
• Check in with your research mentee frequently by email or in person and invite to project staff meetings when appropriate.

NOTE: Once students submit an application, their faculty mentor will be pinged to submit a reference.

Funding details

Funds for these students will be channeled to your project budget. At least 80% of the grant amount must support the students as project salary, travel and/or presentation expenses. Any remaining funds can be used toward lab/field supplies used by your research mentee that would not otherwise be covered by your project budget.

Research training

Although undergraduates are not required to attend training in responsible conduct of research, all research participants are encouraged to do so. Please be sure your mentee understands your department’s individual, institutional and professional responsibility for ethical practice and integrity in research and scholarship.

Plans to present research

Students are expected to participate in the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) within one year of their research experience. Presentations and poster sessions at other professional conferences are encouraged as well.

The CANR Research Round Up is another opportunity for CANR students to present a progress report of their project during their funded research experience. This gives the students an opportunity to practice giving a poster session or summary oral presentation to their research peers and mentors. Please plan to support your mentee’s efforts at this event.

Contact Stratton Lee at leestrat@msu.edu with any questions.