Register for the OUR-Hosted Professional Development Workshops.

For students currently funded by the OUR, you must attend the entire workshop to receive credit towards your professional development requirement.

• Effective Communication with your Mentor: September 1, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
  • Communication in academia is unlike any other professional realm. Titles, personalities, and expectations all influence the ways we communicate with others. This workshop will prepare students to communicate respectfully, effectively, and efficiently with their faculty and research mentors throughout their college experience. Students will leave this workshop with some best practices around written and verbal communication that will help them now and beyond graduation!
• Managing Conflict and Creating Progress in Research: September 8, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
  • Conflict is inevitable. How do you make it work when it arises? This workshop will explore some of the ways conflict arises and how you can tackle it head on. Students will leave this workshop with strategies to help de-escalate disagreements and turn conflict into productive energy.
• Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program: September 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
  • The Graduate Research Fellowship Program is a multi-year funding opportunity to help ensure the quality, vitality, and strength of the scientific workforce and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time research-based master’s and doctoral degrees. The application is typically due in November each year. Join the Office of Undergraduate Research for a workshop covering the application components and how to have a competitive application.
• Applying to Graduate School: September 23, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
  • How do you get started with graduate school? This workshop will cover the basics of how to explore and network with different graduate programs, and how to craft a compelling application. Learn how to narrow down countless choices and how to put your best foot forward with funding and applying to graduate school.
• Applying to and Presenting at Research Conferences: September 29, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
  • Professional research conferences are a great way for undergraduates to expand their network, knowledge, and communication skills. However, finding, applying to, and navigating them can be tricky. The Office of Undergraduate Research will walk you through how to find conferences that are right for you, the application/registration basics, and how to get the most out of the experience. Attendees will also learn about OUR-specific resources for undergraduate students interested in presenting their work.
• Applying to Summer Research Programs and International Research Opportunities: October 6, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
  • Both summer research programs and international research opportunities require students to apply multiple months in advance. Join the Office of Undergraduate Research for a session on how to find, select and apply for summer research opportunities and international research opportunities. This workshop will help students think through competitive application components and how to set yourself up for success.
• Science Communication 101: October 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
  • Session description coming soon!
• Giving and Receiving Feedback Effectively: October 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
  • Scientific writing is a collaborative process, and often involves iterative rounds of feedback, which can differ from the feedback on graded assignments with which you might be more familiar. In this workshop, we will discuss what constitutes effective feedback, practice strategies for providing feedback to others, and develop plans for incorporating feedback about your own work that minimize stress while efficiently improving your drafts.
• Storytelling in Science Communication: October 27, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
  • Session description coming soon!
• Research Ethics: November 10, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
  • What does responsible conduct look like in research? Join us for a discussion and interactive dialogue into the ethical considerations and challenges researchers face in their work.
• Teamwork in Research Groups: November 18, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
  • Whether you’re in a lab or a classroom, you’re often expected to work alongside others. This workshop will uncover some of the common obstacles that teams encounter when working together. Explore different tips and tricks for how to create effective, efficient, and welcoming team environments for all members, and learn how to tackle challenges as a team!
• Graduate Student Panel: November 30, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
  • What is graduate school like? Join us for an interactive and engaginge panel discussion with students in different graduate programs on NC State’s campus!

Don’t see one you think belongs here? Let us know ([email protected])!

For students currently funded by the OUR, below are some possible options to fulfill your program requirement beyond OUR-hosted workshops, you are also encouraged to explore other options. You will need to attend pre-approved, in-person events, and photo-document your attendance to receive credit. Email Mr. Simpson at [email protected] for approval (be sure to include the link to the event).

• Multiple Dates and Times–NC State Libraries Workshops
• Multiple Dates and Times–The Gregg Museum Programs

To find other potential professional development activities, check out the University Events Calendar and utilize the different filters in your search.

These weekly zoom workshops cover a range of the commonly asked questions regarding how to find undergraduate research opportunities and how to get started. There will be time for Q&A at the end.

For students currently funded by the OUR, these workshops do not count toward your professional development activity requirement.

Register for How to Get Started in Research Workshops

• Friday, August 21st at 11:00 A.M.
• Join us at Race Into Research on Aug 26-27, 2:00-4:30pm in DH Hill’s Multimedia Seminar Center (2131)
• Wednesday, September 2 at 10:00 A.M.
• Tuesday, September 8 at 1:00 P.M.
• Monday, September 14 at 4:00 P.M.
• Friday, September 25 at 12:00 P.M.
• Wednesday, September 30 at 2:00 P.M.
• Tuesday, October 6 at 9:00 A.M.
• Tuesday, October 13 at 2:00 P.M.
• Wednesday, October 21 at 4:00 P.M.
• Friday, October 30, 1:00 P.M.
• Monday, November 2 at 12:00 P.M.
• Wednesday, November 11 at 10:00 A.M.
• Tuesday, November 17 at 3:00 P.M.
• Monday, November 23 at 2:00 P.M.

The OUR is here to help you prepare your research oral and poster presentations! Join us as you are getting ready to present at one of the many opportunities on- and off-campus for students to showcase their hard work. We’re also happy to help you one-on-one, and can point you towards additional opportunities to present.

For students currently funded by the OUR, these workshops do not count toward your professional development activity requirement.

Registration for Research Presentation Support Workshops is open! You can register for these workshops via the Fall 2026 Poster & Oral Presentation Workshops form. Register to receive the Zoom link.

Poster & Oral Presentation Workshops

• October 13, 2026: 2:00-3:30 p.m.
• October 22, 2026: 1:00-2:30 p.m.
• October 28, 2026: 3:00-4:30 p.m.

The OUR is here to help you prepare your abstracts in preparation for your research oral and poster presentations! Join us as you are getting ready to present at one of the many opportunities on- and off-campus for students to showcase their hard work. We’re also happy to help you one-on-one, and can point you towards additional opportunities to present.

For students currently funded by the OUR, these workshops do not count toward your professional development activity requirement.

Registration for How to Write an Abstract Sessions is open! Register for an abstract session via the Fall 2026 Research Abstract workshops form. Register to receive the Zoom link.

• September 10, 2026: 1:00-2:00 p.m.
• September 16, 2026: 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• September 21, 2026: 1:00-2:00 p.m.

These sessions provide key information on applying for Project Supply Grant funding. Applicants must attend one full help session prior to submitting their first applications. Zoom attendees must keep their camera on during the entire session and must be actively paying attention. Driving, walking, or completing other tasks while attending a virtual help session will not count for completing this requirement. Once this requirement is met, applicants may continue to submit applications in the future without attending additional help sessions.

Once you register, you will receive a calendar invitation with the specific room location or Zoom link. 

For students currently funded by the OUR, these workshops do not count toward your professional development activity requirement.

Register for Project Supply Grant Help Sessions via the registration form.

• September 22, 2026: 10:00-11:00 a.m.
• September 28, 2026: 1:00-2:00 p.m.
• October 8, 2026: 2:00-3:00 p.m.
• October 14, 2026: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• October 16, 2026: 2:00-3:00 p.m.
• October 21, 2026: 10:00-11:00 a.m. & 7:00-8:00 p.m.
• October 26, 2026: 11:00-12:00 p.m.
• October 27, 2026: 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Application Processes, Crafting Personal Statements, Discussing Research on Resumes, Campus Resources for Applicants, Introductions to Graduate School and Industry Positions

Management and Leadership Skills, Working as Part of a Team, Supporting High Performance

Oral and Poster Presentations, Engaging Different Communities, Translating Your Jargon, Storytelling, Data Visualization

Using R, Working with ArcGIS, Data Management in Google Sheets, AI Tools, Data Visualization

Participating in Conferences, Networking, Dealing with Failure and Imposter Syndrome, Library Resources, Publishing, Ethics, Approaching Faculty and Other Mentors

Approaching Faculty and Other Mentors, What is Reseach, Types of Research, Getting Started

Types of Research, Summer Opportunities, Research Abroad, Self-Guided Research