Getting Started
Have questions about finding opportunities, finding mentors, or what research means? The best way to get started is to ask us questions! OUR staff and OUR ambassadors are here to support you.
Undergraduate Research

Examples of Scholarly Research Projects
- Going on archeological digs to learn about past cultures, societies or the evolution of life on Earth
- Designing complementary art for unique architectural settings
- Developing new ways to manage wildlife and plant populations and their habitat
- Studying ancestral lineages using the tools of modern genetics
- Defining product design based on marketing data
- Reinterpreting a literary author’s intentions based on the site where it was written
- Finding ways to grow more food on less land with less water, fertilizers and pesticides
- Predicting stock market shifts based on uncertainties of the last four years
- Developing inexpensive textile fibers that are soft, durable and easily cleaned
- Engineering nano-machines for administering potent drugs in small amounts into the body
- Want more examples? Take a look at our most recent Symposium abstract books!
Six Steps to Getting Involved
Not sure what to do or have questions about the steps below? Schedule an appointment or drop by the OUR to meet with one of our student ambassadors or staff members. We’re happy to help!
This document provides information on frequently asked questions regarding expectations and credit/paid opportunities.
In addition to the steps and suggestions below, check out the researcher database, ForagerOne. You can review faculty and staff for research interests and opportunities. Not all faculty/staff have updated profiles; ignore whether someone is marked as “actively recruiting”. If you see someone of interest, add them to your potential mentor list. We encourage the use of NCSU email versus ForagerOne messaging. Supplement ForagerOne perusal with NCSU department/program pages, etc. ForagerOne has been in use since 2020 and will be phased out Summer 2023 — look for the new database soon!