From the laboratory to the legislature, undergraduate researchers are gaining the experience and mentorship that prepare them to lead tomorrow’s discoveries and innovations.
The University of Utah’s Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) has released its 2025–2026 Annual Report, highlighting another year of growth in undergraduate research opportunities and demonstrating the lasting impact of research experiences on student success.
Working in partnership with Undergraduate Studies, faculty mentors, colleges, and research leaders across campus, OUR continues to expand access to hands-on research experiences that prepare students to solve complex problems, pursue graduate education, and enter Utah’s workforce with real-world research experience.
The report reflects a university-wide commitment to undergraduate discovery—connecting students with faculty mentors, funding opportunities, professional development, and venues to present and publish their work.
Undergraduate research by the numbers
During the 2025–2026 academic year, the Office of Undergraduate Research:
- Funded nearly 700 undergraduate researchers
- Supported more than 1,800 students through publication and presentation opportunities, including the RANGE Undergraduate Research Journal, Undergraduate Research Symposium, and Research on Capitol Hill
- Collaborated with 1,032 faculty mentors and affiliates
- Educated more than 7,300 students through the Undergraduate Research Education Series
- Reached more than 526,000 people through social media and in-person outreach
These numbers represent more than participation—they reflect a growing culture of research engagement that spans disciplines across the university.
Research experiences that improve student outcomes
The report also reinforces what decades of research have shown: students who participate in undergraduate research are more likely to persist and complete their degrees.
Among students who participated in OUR programs:
- 60% graduated within four years
- 93% graduated within six years
Research experiences help students develop critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while working alongside faculty on projects that address real-world challenges.
Faculty mentorship remains at the center of this success, providing students with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to ongoing research while building the confidence and experience needed for future careers.
Investing in tomorrow’s research workforce
Undergraduate research is more than a high-impact educational practice—it is an investment in the future research enterprise.
Students who gain research experience as undergraduates often continue into graduate programs, research careers, industry innovation, healthcare, public service, and entrepreneurship. In many fields, particularly engineering and the physical sciences, undergraduate research also helps strengthen the domestic STEM workforce by preparing students to contribute to research and innovation that benefits Utah and the nation.
The continued growth of undergraduate research at the University of Utah reflects the collective support of faculty mentors, campus leadership, donors, and research administrators who make these opportunities possible.
As the university’s research enterprise continues to grow, undergraduate researchers remain an essential part of the discovery ecosystem—bringing fresh perspectives, advancing faculty research, and developing the next generation of scientists, scholars, innovators, and leaders.
Read the full 2025–2026 Office of Undergraduate Research Annual Report: https://our.utah.edu/about-us/our-success/
