There are many opportunities for Penn undergraduates to conduct research in any discipline—regardless of their previous experience. Research positions can be: volunteer, arranged through work-study, paid—funded directly through a faculty member’s grant or via a program that provides a stipend, conducted for academic credit, or supported via a grant for which you apply. Have questions? CURF is here to help!
Resources for Getting Started
Undergraduate Research Canvas Site
This Canvas site contains self-guided modules to answer your questions about all aspects of your research journey at Penn, whether it's identifying your interests, finding potential mentors, or deepening your engagement.
visit our canvas site
RPAs
CURF Research Peer Advisors (RPAs) are undergraduates representing a variety of research fields who can help you navigate your own research journey at Penn!
learn about our RPAs
Finding a Faculty Mentor
Identifying a mentor is a key part of your research journey. The CURF Research Directory is a great tool for learning about potential mentors. Here you also will find tips on how to craft an effective email and prepare for meetings with faculty.
Learn about finding a mentor
Funding Opportunities
Utilize CURF's database to identify research programs, grants, and opportunities at Penn, elsewhere in the US, and abroad.
browse funding opportunities
Make an Advising Appointment
Still have questions? Find links to schedule time with Dr. Vernon-Grey or Dr. Milch!
schedule an appointment
RPA Podcast
Ever Thought About...? is a podcast created by Penn undergraduates with exciting episodes about a wide range of research undertaken around campus. Listen in as we chat with Penn professors about how they got started, hot topics in their field, and advice for undergrads.
listen hereUndergraduate Research Stories
See All Stories
My Research on Rainwater Harvesting
Krishna Chandrasekhara ('25), a Health and Societies major, conducted research on the public health benefits of rainwater harvesting. Krishna was mentored by Dr. John Kanbayashi (Department of History and Sociology of Science) and this project was supported by the Paul and Kathleen Barthmaier Award.
Art and Activism
Taryn Flaherty ('25), a History and Sociology double major, was an intern at Spiral Q last summer. The mission of Spiral Q is to use the power of art to connect people, actions, values, neighborhoods, organizations, and movements to create change. This internship was supported by the Summer Humanities Internship Program.
Clinical Research on Hearing Loss
Yoojin Jo ('27), a Neuroscience major, conducted research with Dr. Tiffany Hwa (Department of Otorhinolaryngology) on clinical methods to screen for hearing loss. This research was supported by the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.
Cervical Cancer Research in Botswana
Navjeet Kaur ('27) is a Nursing student who traveled to Botswana to research the effects and prevention of cervical cancer with Dr. Surbhi Grover (Department of Radiation Oncology). This research was done through the Center for Global Oncology and was supported by the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.