We highly encourage our Fulton Schools undergraduate students to pursue a research project during their studies. Not only does it help develop their interests, but it makes a great impression on future employers and graduate programs.
We have two great ways students can add research to their undergraduate experience.
Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative
Through the Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative, or FURI (pronounced like “fury”), students conduct hands-on, independent research in a lab environment under a faculty mentor. Faculty mentors receive $500 for each FURI student they mentor up to five students. Students can apply for up to $400 in research supply funding per semester, which can help support projects you’re mentoring students in. Students can apply for up to two semesters of FURI research. Their FURI experience starts with a research proposal created with the help of a faculty mentor (or post your own research opportunities) and then students apply for funding. Once accepted, they perform research, attend workshops, prepare research summaries, design a research poster and participate in the research symposium. Don’t miss the Fall 2017 FURI Symposium on Friday, November 17, 2017!
Fall 2017 FURI Symposium
Friday, November 17, 2017
1–3 p.m.
Memorial Union (MU) Ventana Ballroom, Tempe campus [map]
Cortney Loui
Students interested in applying for FURI for the spring 2018 semester should watch Inner Circle and the FURI application page for application details and deadlines. Encourage your undergraduate students to apply.
Undergraduate Fulton Schools students conducting research with a faculty member who have been accepted to present their research at a conference can also apply for funding to travel and present their research through the Undergraduate Research Travel Grant program. Professional conferences are also a great place to compare data and network with peers.
Many FURI participants have gone on to apply their unique experience to work in industry, as well as graduate studies in engineering, medicine, law and other disciplines.
Cortney Loui, coordinator of student engagement, provides undergraduate research resources and opportunities to students through FURI. Cortney supports FURI students throughout the semester and coordinates the research symposiums near the end of each semester.
Kae Sawyer is the Associate Director of Student Engagement in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. She oversees a team that promotes, supports and facilities a comprehensive portfolio of co-curricular and extracurricular offerings for Fulton Schools students to explore their interests and develop valuable skillsets through hands-on design experiences, research opportunities, entrepreneurship and innovation, global engagement and service learning while promoting leadership development, diversity and inclusion of all students.
Grand Challenge Scholars Program
Our students can combine and apply research skills and entrepreneurial mindset to global challenges through the Grand Challenge Scholars Program. GCSP aims to prepare tomorrow’s engineering leaders to solve society’s fourteen 21st century grand challenges through innovative curriculum, cutting-edge research and service learning.
Select freshmen are invited to GCSP, but any sophomore, junior or senior who meet the minimum criteria are welcome to apply.
Kae Sawyer also works with the Grand Challenge Scholars Program.
