{"id":19686,"date":"2025-09-02T15:47:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T19:47:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/?page_id=19686"},"modified":"2025-12-10T13:24:25","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T18:24:25","slug":"getting-started","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/get-involved\/getting-started\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Started"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"139\" data-end=\"191\"><strong data-start=\"139\" data-end=\"191\">New to Research? Here&#8217;s How to Get Started at BU<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"193\" data-end=\"339\">Getting involved in research can be one of the most rewarding parts of your academic experience and we&#8217;re here to help you take that first step.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"341\" data-end=\"344\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"346\" data-end=\"382\">Step 1: Find a Faculty Mentor<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"384\" data-end=\"524\">To begin your research journey at BU, you\u2019ll need to connect with a faculty member conducting research in your area of interest. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"526\" data-end=\"1059\">\n<li data-start=\"526\" data-end=\"636\">\n<p data-start=\"528\" data-end=\"636\"><strong data-start=\"528\" data-end=\"561\">Explore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/opportunities\/on-campus-research\/\">current opportunities<\/a><\/strong> on the <a data-start=\"569\" data-end=\"586\" class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\">UROP website. <\/a>These are updated year-round so check back often!<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"637\" data-end=\"808\">\n<p data-start=\"639\" data-end=\"808\"><strong data-start=\"639\" data-end=\"663\">Browse past projects<\/strong> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/symposium\/\">UROP Symposium Booklet<\/a> or the list of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/achievements\/award-recipients\/\">previously funded UROP projects<\/a>. Take note of faculty names working on topics you find interesting.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"809\" data-end=\"966\">\n<p data-start=\"811\" data-end=\"966\"><strong data-start=\"811\" data-end=\"842\">Visit departmental websites<\/strong> and review <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/biology\/people\/faculty\/\">faculty profiles<\/a>. For example, if you&#8217;re interested in Biology research, start with the <a data-start=\"942\" data-end=\"965\" class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\">Biology department.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"967\" data-end=\"1059\">\n<p data-start=\"969\" data-end=\"1059\"><strong data-start=\"969\" data-end=\"983\">Need additional help?<\/strong> Schedule an appointment with a UROP staff member for personalized guidance.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"1061\" data-end=\"1064\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"1066\" data-end=\"1106\">Step 2: Contact Potential Mentors<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1108\" data-end=\"1177\">Once you\u2019ve identified faculty whose work aligns with your interests:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1179\" data-end=\"1422\">\n<li data-start=\"1179\" data-end=\"1269\">\n<p data-start=\"1181\" data-end=\"1269\"><strong data-start=\"1181\" data-end=\"1196\">Make a list<\/strong> of at least 10 faculty members to increase your chances of hearing back.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1270\" data-end=\"1359\">\n<p data-start=\"1272\" data-end=\"1359\"><strong data-start=\"1272\" data-end=\"1301\">Craft a thoughtful email.<\/strong> Not sure where to start? Check out our <a href=\"\/urop\/files\/2025\/09\/UROP-Intro-Email-Template.pdf\">UROP Intro Email Template<\/a><a data-start=\"1341\" data-end=\"1358\" class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\">.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1360\" data-end=\"1422\">\n<p data-start=\"1362\" data-end=\"1422\"><strong data-start=\"1362\" data-end=\"1375\">Follow up<\/strong> if you don\u2019t receive a reply within 1\u20132 weeks.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"1424\" data-end=\"1427\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"1429\" data-end=\"1479\">Step 3: Start Working with a Faculty Mentor<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1481\" data-end=\"1546\">Once a faculty member agrees to mentor you, make sure to clarify:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1548\" data-end=\"1835\">\n<li data-start=\"1548\" data-end=\"1585\">\n<p data-start=\"1550\" data-end=\"1585\">Your role in the research project<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1586\" data-end=\"1624\">\n<p data-start=\"1588\" data-end=\"1624\">Expected weekly hours and schedule<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1625\" data-end=\"1651\">\n<p data-start=\"1627\" data-end=\"1651\">Any required trainings<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1652\" data-end=\"1835\">\n<p data-start=\"1654\" data-end=\"1703\">How your research involvement will be structured:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1706\" data-end=\"1835\">\n<li data-start=\"1706\" data-end=\"1721\">\n<p data-start=\"1708\" data-end=\"1721\"><strong data-start=\"1708\" data-end=\"1721\">Volunteer<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1724\" data-end=\"1758\">\n<p data-start=\"1726\" data-end=\"1758\"><strong data-start=\"1726\" data-end=\"1758\">Research for academic credit<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1761\" data-end=\"1804\">\n<p data-start=\"1763\" data-end=\"1804\"><strong data-start=\"1763\" data-end=\"1804\">Paid position through faculty funding<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1807\" data-end=\"1835\">\n<p data-start=\"1809\" data-end=\"1835\"><strong data-start=\"1809\" data-end=\"1835\">Apply for UROP funding<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"1837\" data-end=\"1840\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"1842\" data-end=\"1865\">Volunteer Option<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1867\" data-end=\"1953\">If you\u2019ll be volunteering, you can coordinate your schedule directly with your mentor.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1955\" data-end=\"1958\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"1960\" data-end=\"1994\">Earning Credit for Research<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1996\" data-end=\"2106\">Want to receive academic credit for your research? Contact your major department for details and requirements.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2108\" data-end=\"2111\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"2113\" data-end=\"2145\">Applying for UROP Funding<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2147\" data-end=\"2173\">To apply for UROP funding:<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"2175\" data-end=\"2505\">\n<li data-start=\"2175\" data-end=\"2257\">\n<p data-start=\"2178\" data-end=\"2257\"><strong data-start=\"2178\" data-end=\"2197\">Check <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/get-involved\/deadlines\/\">deadlines<\/a><\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"2202\" data-end=\"2256\">read our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/get-involved\/application-tips\/\">application tips<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/get-involved\/funding-eligibility\/\">eligibility criteria<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2258\" data-end=\"2324\">\n<p data-start=\"2261\" data-end=\"2324\"><strong data-start=\"2261\" data-end=\"2305\">Have your mentor review your application<\/strong> before you submit.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2325\" data-end=\"2403\">\n<p data-start=\"2328\" data-end=\"2403\">Your mentor will also submit a <strong data-start=\"2359\" data-end=\"2387\">letter of recommendation<\/strong> on your behalf.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2404\" data-end=\"2505\">\n<p data-start=\"2407\" data-end=\"2505\"><strong data-start=\"2407\" data-end=\"2434\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/current-participants\/calendar\/\">Schedule an appointmen<\/a>t<\/strong> with UROP staff to get feedback on your application before submission.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr data-start=\"2507\" data-end=\"2510\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"2512\" data-end=\"2536\">What Happens Next?<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"2538\" data-end=\"2711\">\n<li data-start=\"2538\" data-end=\"2624\">\n<p data-start=\"2540\" data-end=\"2624\">Your application will be reviewed and scored by the UROP Faculty Advisory Committee.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2625\" data-end=\"2711\">\n<p data-start=\"2627\" data-end=\"2711\">You\u2019ll receive a decision via email about a month after submitting your application.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2713\" data-end=\"2744\">If you\u2019re awarded UROP funding:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2746\" data-end=\"3001\">\n<li data-start=\"2746\" data-end=\"2792\">\n<p data-start=\"2748\" data-end=\"2792\"><strong data-start=\"2748\" data-end=\"2792\">Complete the award acceptance paperwork.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2793\" data-end=\"2865\">\n<p data-start=\"2795\" data-end=\"2865\"><strong data-start=\"2795\" data-end=\"2814\">You\u2019ll be hired<\/strong> as a student employee for the 10-week UROP period.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2866\" data-end=\"2950\">\n<p data-start=\"2868\" data-end=\"2950\">Your UROP funding is <strong data-start=\"2889\" data-end=\"2907\">taxable income<\/strong> and will be paid as part of a student job.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2951\" data-end=\"3001\">\n<p data-start=\"2953\" data-end=\"3001\"><strong data-start=\"2953\" data-end=\"3001\">Start your research \u2014 and get paid to do it!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New to Research? Here&#8217;s How to Get Started at BU Getting involved in research can be one of the most rewarding parts of your academic experience and we&#8217;re here to help you take that first step. Step 1: Find a Faculty Mentor To begin your research journey at BU, you\u2019ll need to connect with a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23772,"featured_media":0,"parent":68,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19686"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23772"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19686"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19686\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19903,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19686\/revisions\/19903"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/68"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/urop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}