LAS Undergraduate Research Initiative

LASURI provides an opportunity for LAS students to embark on research with faculty, grow academically, develop essential research skills, and build professional competencies.

• The LASURI Award is competitive.
• Undergraduate students in all LAS majors are invited to apply.
• Applicants do not need an established record of research experience.

Program Details

• LASURI Scholars receive a scholarship award of up to $1250 per semester. Most participants apply and are approved for two-semester projects, receiving up to $2500 for the full year.
• The application process takes place once a year, during the spring semester, and applies to the following academic year.
• LASURI faculty mentors receive a fixed amount to assist with costs associated with the student’s project.

The Liberal Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Research Initiative (LASURI) encourages students to develop their research skills by providing financial support to undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and their faculty mentors for one- or two-semester research projects.

LAS undergraduate students work closely with a faculty member to develop research skills and learn to propose, design, and complete projects with the guidance and encouragement of a dedicated mentor.  The LASURI award is open to undergraduate students in all LAS disciplines.

LASURI research may include archival searches, document and literature review, the composition of annotated bibliographies, design and completion of original research papers, creative/art projects, assisting in laboratories, the design and execution of experiments, fieldwork, mapping, statistical analysis, and information and data analysis, among others. Students do not need an established record of research experience to apply.

LASURI undergraduate recipients receive a scholarship of up to $1250 per semester. Most participants apply and are approved for two-semester projects, receiving up to $2500 for the full year. LASURI faculty mentors receive a fixed amount to assist with costs associated with the student’s project. The application process takes place once a year, during the spring semester, and applies to the following academic year.

LASURI aims to:

• develop the research, communication, and leadership skills of undergraduate students.
• provide pathways for long-term faculty-student mentorship relationships.
• facilitate the development of mutually beneficial research partnerships between undergraduates and faculty members.
• improve undergraduates’ awareness of research opportunities within LAS.
• prepare undergraduate students for post-baccalaureate academic and professional opportunities.
• encourage faculty to incorporate undergraduate research into their scholarly activities.
• foster intellectual and social community among UIC undergraduates.

LASURI Scholars – Why join

• Work closely with a faculty member to develop research questions and methods.
• Learn to propose, design, and complete projects with the guidance and encouragement of a dedicated mentor.
• Develop communication, project management, and leadership skills.
• Build long-term faculty-student mentorship relationships.
• Prepare for graduate and professional programs.
• Grow sought-after practical skills for “real world” careers.
• Participate in an intellectual and social community with other LASURI Scholars.

Faculty Mentors – Why join?

• Incorporate undergraduate students into their scholarly activities.
• Develop a mutually beneficial research partnership with undergraduate students.
• Improve undergraduates’ awareness of additional research opportunities, graduate programs, and careers in your field.