Office of Undergraduate Research
Established in 2023, the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) aims to increase research opportunities for undergraduate students at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). We will launch programs in phases over the next few years to ensure we accomplish our vision for OUR.
For students interested in joining a mentored research experience, we invite you to attend OUR workshops!
OUR Vision
OUR Goals
- Creating a culture of research by cataloguing and tracking research endeavors across the university.
- Developing new research programs and initiatives to help all students become engaged in the high impact practice (HIP) of research at CSUN and in the surrounding communities.
- Preparing students through training for rigorous research experiences.
- Collaborating with existing offices, programs, centers, and faculty to increase research capacity at CSUN.
- Promoting undergraduate research opportunities at CSUN and across the nation.
- Strengthen capacity for faculty, programs, and offices that engage undergraduate students in research by serving as a resource hub.
OUR Timeline
OUR Workshops
Below are the registration links for the workshops. Please click on the link to see the available times each workshop is being offered and to register.
Entry to Research Series:
Finding a Mentor
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsdeutqDwjEtEQS5fxEsUg9_L8Wfg5aSsD
Email Etiquette
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsf-uhqz8rHNyVwIDcm_JAunyg2DxTOdoq
Mentoring Relationships
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsd--rrDwrHNIYLgU1qJsPT5Ex14dVOIS7
Time Management
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtcumqpzsqE9Ore5V7bxK5udKp8zFlC2b7
What is Research?
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqf-uuqj0oHtO64Q_VJHnEwMa2-xDgrjR2
Research Conference Series:
Writing a Conference Abstract
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvd-CurjMvHtJS1ZehfpUshOTs_1GfBd8c
Attending a Research Conference
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvcu6trD0iGt1pJn8ACVNtjb9vtzPVGBeZ
Creating a Research Poster Presentation
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwucu2qqj0tH9DnNEoPDRr3ARkSm7ihyIJy
Creating an Oral Research Presentation
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvf--hqz8oGdytqpby3aqyMvM6DSvp44tI
Elevator Pitch
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsc-ihpzsqGNI_iutJxSude7nwaPEgfRvZ
Professional Development Series:
Writing a CV/Resume
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwof-yhrT0sGdC2A99nkyTsoKVE1gLK4X8U
Summer Research Opportunities
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkcOGtpjMiGdMn4ydivauV6EsvXKLpBrOO
Getting Strong Letters of Recommendation
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuduupqD0jHNXltuQ-E_qftbwGCQOFkNSR
Responsible Social Media Use
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/nkksv4rZT2uP141LYOr-Sg
Intro to Research Ethics
https://csun.zoom.us/meeting/register/3r6S8WxpSjqVJkIQhAJT-Q
ESTUDIO Program
Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2022, ESTUDIO, short, for Excellence in Student Training for Undergraduates, Diversity Initiative Office, is an equity-based research training hub for undergraduate STEM students. In Spanish, ESTUDIO is a “study” or “research” and will allow STEM undergraduate students to earn research skills-building, research ethics training, and professional development certificates in preparation for entering mentored research experiences (including summer programs) and employment preparation.
Affiliated Initiatives:
- Summer JumpStart: (a two-week intensive skills-building opportunity for new researchers)
Council on Undergraduate Research
CSUN is now an enhanced Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) member!
Students, Faculty, and Staff can join CUR for free and enjoy the benefits and resources for engaging students in undergraduate research. Interested in becoming a member? Go to CUR.org and click on "Membership."
Research Supplies Grant (up to $500 per academic year)
The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Research Supplies Grant supports undergraduate students in research, performance, and scholarship. It is designed to encourage collaborative scholarly research and creative work between undergraduate students and faculty.
An undergraduate student in a mentored research, scholarly, or creative project may request up to $500 for supplies and equipment towards completion of their project. Undergraduate students (part-time and full-time) are eligible to apply. Students are eligible for funding only once per academic year.
Priority will be given to students engaged in OUR (e.g., attending workshops, certificates, LAEP, NCUR). Priority will be given to students whose mentors do not have external research grants. A faculty mentor can have a maximum of 3 funded requests per academic year.
If approved, you will be required to attend three OUR workshops: Understand Mentoring Relationships, Create a Curriculum Vitae (CV), and Summer Research Opportunities.
Applications available here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/1bb9a7ad96164bb294dd4e27db33eadf
PODER Undergraduate Student Research Assistant
P R O G R A M O V E R V I E W
- Paid Research Employment
- Work in Faculty-mentored Research
- Federal Work-Study or OUR-Funded
- Develop new research and professional development skills
- Explore diverse research topics in your field of study
- Join a community of scholars
E X P E C T A T I O N S
- Work 11 hrs/week (total 165 hrs) with a faculty mentor each semester
- Present at CSUN’s annual research symposia, CSUNPosium (in April)
- Attend four (4) OUR workshops each semester
- Complete a survey at the beginning and end of each semester so we can track your skills as you are developing throughout your journey in research.
B E N E F I T S
- Pay: $17.50/hr for up to 165 hours/semester of mentor-led research
- 4 additional paid hours to attend OUR workshops
- 2 paid hours to complete surveys
Apply Here: https://csun.joinhandshake.com/explore
- If you are eligible for Federal Work Study, search for Job# 9315808
- All others, please apply to Job# 9319388
Summer JumpStart Training
4 core areas of training will be provided:
- Quantitative Research Methods
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Biology Technical Skills
- Intro to Python
Eligibility:
- Must be a rising CSUN Sophomore or rising Junior enrolled at CSUN for Fall 2025
- Must have a minimum CSUN total GPA of 2.8
- Must be work authorized (able to work legally in the U.S.)
Priority is given to students who have attended OUR workshops.
Click here to apply, deadline is April 4, 2025.
Getting into Research 2024
Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP)-Discontinued
Other Opportunities
Travel Scholarship (up to $250 per academic year)
The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Travel Scholarship supports undergraduate students to present their research at a professional/academic conference.
An undergraduate student presenting as the first or second author on a poster or oral presentation may request up to $250 for a travel scholarship. Students are eligible for funding only once per academic year. Priority will be given to students engaged in OUR (e.g., attending workshops, certificates, events). There are financial aid implications for this scholarship, more information is available on the application.
Recipients will be required to attend two OUR workshops: Attend a Research Conference and either Create Your Own Poster Presentation or Create an Oral Research Presentation.
Applications available here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/bb6f876b4dc84bd999df7bbe5deb71ed
OUR Peer Mentors - Drop-In Hours
Spring 2025 Drop-In Hours
Adriana Perez
- Wednesdays from 6pm-7pm, via Zoom:
Click here for Zoom link
Crystal Venegas
- Mondays and Thursdays, 11am-1pm, via Zoom:
Click here for Zoom link - Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4-5pm, in person:
University Library 21
Luis Paz de la Vega
- Tuesdays from 5pm-6pm, via Zoom:
Click here for Zoom link
Renee Medina
- Thursdays from 3pm-4pm, via Zoom:
Click here for Zoom link