The first opportunity to dive into the topic is coming up quickly: the annual SUROP Poster Symposium. It runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 1 in the first floor lobby of Miller Nichols Learning Center.

The symposium is an opportunity to learn about the research, scholarly and creative projects that students have completed with Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity (SUROP) grants. Nineteen students will present posters on topics ranging from the urban heat island effect in Kansas City, to health policies related to child obesity, to using 3-D printing to create structures that mimic living tissue. At a poster symposium, visitors can stop by any time to view posters and chat with presenters.

“We really encourage aspiring undergraduate student researchers to attend the SUROP Poster Symposium to be inspired by their peers and set goals for their own research projects,” said Audrey Lester, assistant director of undergraduate research.

Information about undergraduate research opportunities, funding and application deadlines is available at the Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship page.

Students seeking funding for a research project under the Students Engaged in the Arts and Research (SEARCH) program must apply by Sept. 16. SEARCH provides up to $1,250 in reimbursable research expenses undertaken during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Undergraduate research also can be a highly effective resume-builder. UMKC offers an Undergraduate Research Fellow honorary transcription designation to recognize the important work accomplished by undergraduate researchers, scholars and artists. This designation is noted on students’ transcripts and is included in the program for commencement exercises when a student graduates.

Students may apply for this designation at any point in their undergraduate career, but most typically students apply in the final semesters of their baccalaureate program. The application deadline for the Fall semester is Oct. 1.

Finally, mark your calendars for the EUReka! Symposium of Undergraduate Research and  Creative Scholarship on December 6. It’s an opportunity to get a look at undergraduate research conducted through Experiences in Undergraduate Research (EUReka) courses.

This hybrid symposium will feature presentations from in-person EUReka! courses in Pierson Auditorium and virtual presentations from online EUReka! courses in Canvas. In-person presentations will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6, and online presentations will be open for discussion Dec. 6 and 7.