Get a competitive edge with hands-on experience
The Undergraduate Research Program is an initiative of the Office of Academic Affairs and the Perry Honors College designed to promote, support and fund the involvement of undergraduate students in the active research community at Old Dominion University.
Benefits of research experience
- Give yourself a competitive edge for research careers and graduate school
- Increase your knowledge through hands-on and inquiry-based experiences
- Develop exciting academic and career paths
- Hone your critical thinking, communication, and quantitative skills and abilities
- Begin research that will lead to an honors thesis or capstone project
- Get connected to other students involved in ODU's active research community
- Make a difference by offering your expertise to community organizations locally and around the world
Attention Research Mentors
Please consider nominating an Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award!
This award honors individuals who have exemplified excellence in research and/or scholarship while undergraduates at Old Dominion University. The University Undergraduate Research Committee will make awards based on the uniqueness of research/scholarship, longevity of experience, contributions to the discipline, and presentations, publications, and/or performances. The award recipients will receive a $500 cash prize. Multiple nominees may be selected.
All nominations materials should be collated and emailed to Perry Honors College perryhonorscollege@917877.com by February 15.
Undergraduate Research Honors Scholar Program (URHS)
Registering for the URHS is the first step to receiving information about undergraduate research funding, research opportunities, and other research-related resources. Registered students can also apply for essential supply and equipment grants to offset the costs of their URHS activities.
Program Highlights
Program for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (PURS)
The Old Dominion University Office of Undergraduate Research, part of the Division of Research and Economic Development, offers grants to support one-year pilot projects in research and other creative work activities. These projects are designed to provide undergraduate students with authentic research and creative activity experiences as a primary objective. Eligible applicants include research faculty, tenured faculty, and tenure-track faculty.
For the next 2025-2026 academic year, this program will evolve into a more robust initiative aligned with the new offerings planned by the Office of Undergraduate Research. Stay tuned for updates on these initiatives and the upcoming launch of the new “PURS” program.
- Questions should be directed to Orlando Ayala, PhD (oayala@917877.com).
- The deadline for PURS is January 31, 2025.
- View PURS Proposal Instructions and Forms (PDF)
Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program.
More ways to get involved
Take a Research Apprenticeship Course
The Honors College offers two research apprenticeship courses (HNRS226 and HNRS326)
Visit the Career Development Services Website
We've teamed up with Career Development Services to offer listings of undergraduate research opportunities on the ODU Careerlink website.
Ask Your Professors
Most ODU faculty members have active research programs in areas related to the courses they teach.
Contact Us
We will be happy to help you find research opportunities in your area of interest and help you connect with a mentor in your area of interest or major. Email David Metzger at HCUndergradResearch@917877.com.
Research Courses
Many departments offer credits that count toward your major for participating in supervised or mentored research projects in conjuntion with a faculty member. See Course List