Faculty Resources

Most undergraduate research involves faculty mentorship. Faculty generally view their mentoring of undergraduates as a deeply satisfying form of teaching, although one that can require a major commitment of time and resources. Some are energized by the enthusiasm and fresh perspective that undergraduate can bring. Others feel the responsibility to “give back”, and honor the faculty who mentored them by helping the next generation.

  • Faculty gain personal satisfaction for working closely with students and passing on their knowledge and skills.
  • Faculty gain by learning from students and making joint discoveries.
  • Faculty can benefit by distributed workload on larger research projects.
  • Faculty increase opportunities for a number of external grants that require participation of undergraduates.
  • Though they may be less experienced and skilled than graduate students in your field, undergrads who seek out research work are often enthusiastic and ready to be shaped into productive, insightful workers.
  • Undergraduate students can open possibilities for you to become more involved in the university community and its surroundings, thus helping to raise the profile of Queens College as a center for active learning.

Mentors, if you are looking for undergraduate students to work with you on your research projects, you can now notify us using this form.

URME – Undergraduate Research and Mentoring Education
The Undergraduate Research and Mentoring Education (URME) program at Queens College funds outstanding activities in which undergraduates and faculty collaborate in research or other scholarly or creative work.

CUNY IDEA Grant – Research in the Classroom
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research is offering grants that will be awarded on a competitive basis to fund innovative ideas for incorporating authentic research projects into the undergraduate curriculum.

NSF Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI)
The Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) funding supports research by faculty members at predominantly undergraduate institutions (PUIs < 20 PhDs in STEM last two years). RUI proposals support PUI faculty in research that engages them in their professional field(s), builds capacity for research at their home institution, and supports the integration of research and undergraduate education.

NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
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.

Cottrell Awards
Cottrell College Science Awards jumpstart the research work of early career scientists at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions, helping them achieve lifelong, productive roles as scientist-educators.

Mentoring Undergraduate Researchers: Where to begin?
“A mentor is someone who takes a special interest in helping another person develop into a successful professional.”

Entering Mentoring: A Seminar to Train a New Generation of Scientists
Effective mentoring can be learned, but not taught. Good mentors discover their own objectives, methods, and style by mentoring. And mentoring. And mentoring some more.

Nature’s guide for mentors
Having a good mentor early in your career can mean the difference between success and failure in any field.