Provost Undergraduate Research Assistantship

duet at a harpsichord

Provost Undergraduate 
Research Assistantship

The Provost Undergraduate Research Assistantship is an invitation-only opportunity for high-achieving incoming students who want to begin their University of Oregon experience with curiosity and exploration. The program introduces students to research and creative work during their first year, encouraging them to approach new ideas and academic fields.

Research Areas   |   Timeline   |   Faculty Mentors   |   FAQs

provost christopher p. long

 

This assistantship recognizes your curiosity and readiness to pursue meaningful research. From your first day on campus, you will be immersed in serious inquiry — working with faculty mentors, developing your skills, and contributing to work that expands human understanding and serves the public good.
Provost and Senior Vice President Christopher P. Long
oregon performance research lab

The Student Experience

Whether in a lab, studio, archive, classroom, digital environment, or the field, students will get hands-on opportunities to conduct research and work on creative projects—no experience needed. Students receive a one-time $5,000 award, connect with supportive faculty mentors, and join a cohort of peers who are eager to learn and discover. Over the course of the year, they will gain confidence and establish a strong foundation as they begin their journey at UO.

student works on painting in UO fine art studios

Areas of Exploration

  • Art, Design, and Creative Innovation
  • Biological and Health Sciences, Bioengineering, Human Behavior, and Psychology
  • Business, Economics, and Entrepreneurship
  • Chemistry, Material Science, Physics
  • Cultural Studies and Heritage  
  • Data Science and Computer Science
  • Digital Humanities and Media Arts 
  • Global Studies and Social Justice  
  • History, Language, Literature, Philosophy
  • Sustainable Environmental Studies and Geography
  • Urban Planning and Sustainable Development   
student doing research in lab

The Inaugural Year

The research assistantships will begin in fall 2026 with a seminar that introduces students to fundamental research skills and highlights the wide range of opportunities available at a major research university. In winter and spring, students will commit eight to ten hours each week to a research or creative project under the mentorship of a UO faculty member. The experience culminates in a presentation at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Program Timeline

Faculty Mentors: A Closer Look

The following profiles introduce some of our faculty mentors and the kinds of research and creative projects students may take part in as Provost Undergraduate Research Assistantship participants. Their work reflects the wide range of hands-on learning opportunities available across disciplines.

Meet Faculty Mentors

emily simnitt
Emily Simnitt
Teaching Professor, English
The Oregon Public Memory Project explores how collective memory is shaped by public communication, power, and inequality, focusing on Oregon and the University of Oregon campus. Students can get involved contributing to archival research, oral history, public exhibits, and fostering public dialogue on contemporary issues facing Oregon. Activities include visiting archives, conducting interviews, and developing public-facing content like websites and exhibits. 
keat ghee ong
Keat Ghee Ong
Professor, Bioengineering
Our lab develops implantable, wireless sensor technologies that are integrated directly into orthopedic implants to monitor mechanical loading, healing progression, and implant performance in real time. We are actively seeking motivated undergraduate students who are excited about integrating hands-on laboratory research with entrepreneurship and clinical collaboration to translate engineering innovations into real-world medical impact.
jennifer o'neal
Jennifer O'Neal
Assistant Professor, Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies
The Indigenous Knowledge and Data Sovereignty Research Center is dedicated to upholding the rights of Indigenous Nations to control their information about their peoples, land, and resources. With an Indigenous research approach, students can participate in researching and contributing to archival research, oral history, public exhibits, briefing reports, trainings and workshops.