Students can join the Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP), Undergraduate Special Opportunities in Artistry & Research (USOAR) or the Student Engagement Fund (SEF) if you are looking to start an independent research project, are interested in conducting a service learning project or want to study abroad.

SROP gives NIU undergraduate students the opportunity to connect with faculty mentors and apply classroom learning in the lab or field, according to an NIU news release. This is a paid opportunity that allows students to conduct research over the summer months. Apply online at bit.ly/1PUTCXs to get involved. The application deadline is Feb. 12.

USOAR is open to students from all colleges, all departments and all majors, according to an NIU news release. USOAR funds student-generated research projects, such as studies conducted on campus, somewhere else in the U.S. or internationally. Share your idea of research or artistry with a faculty member and send your proposal to [email protected] once your idea has been approved. Guidelines are available at niu.edu/usoar. Students have between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 to complete their USOAR project. The spring deadline for submission is Feb. 12. Students whose proposals are selected will be granted up to $2,500 to carry out their project.

SEF provides students with stipends working on faculty-mentored research projects. SEF is a collaborative effort by the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Apply online at bit.ly/1PUTCXs. The summer deadline for SEF is Feb. 15, and the fall deadline is March 15.

Contact the Office of Student Engagement & Experiential Learning at 815-753-8154 or email [email protected] for more information.