Research Programs and Cohorts
If you'd like to take your research further, explore the opportunities to join programs tailored to your area of study or your needs.
Universitywide programs
- See K-State Graduate School research opportunities at this link
- Follow these social media channels to see campus research assistantships as they are available:
- Facebook: K-State Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research-SDUR
- Instagram: @kstatesdur
The Developing Scholars Program (DSP) offers all incoming, transfer, and current K-State students the opportunity to conduct research projects in their field of study with faculty mentors. For over 25 years, the Developing Scholars Program has helped fulfill K-State’s land grant mission by increasing access and broadening participation in undergraduate research. Scholars accepted into the Developing Scholars Program receive academic, social, and financial support while becoming integrated into the intellectual climate of the university. Visit the DSP website to learn more.
Summer opportunities
If you are interested in paid summer research opportunities outside of K-State, see our Finding Summer Research programs resource page at this link.
In partnership with K-State and Montclair State Univeristy, undergraduate students are encouraged to apply for a Summer 2026 Green Team.
The PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies is pleased to announce that undergraduate student applications are now open to join our summer 2026 Green Teams Internship Program running from May 27 - Aug. 6, 2026. This program pays a stipend plus housing. Travel grants are also available.
This is the tenth year that this program brings together students from diverse backgrounds, universities and majors to address complex sustainability challenges for a wide array of organizations including but not limited to corporations, local businesses, municipalities, community groups, government agencies, and nonprofits. Visit the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies website for more information.
Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research (SDUR) is proud to host summer undergraduate research experience shared programming. Any summer undergraduate summer programs are welcome to register and join these events. Through a partnership with existing summer experiences, SDUR will facilitate the following events with the purpose of creating a strong network and sense of community for summer undergraduate researchers:
Professional Development Session 3: Short Summer Synopses preparation
- 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, July 10
- Location: Town Hall, Leadership Studies Building, https://ksu.zoom.us/j/92188861708
Professional Development Session 3.5: Nationally Competitive Scholarship and Fellowship Applications
- 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, July 17
- Location: Town Hall, Leadership Studies Building, https://ksu.zoom.us/j/92188861708
3-Minute Pitch
Inspired by 3-minute Thesis events commonly hosted, this event will showcase brief reviews of the discoveries made by undergraduate researchers this summer. Any member of the university community is welcome to attend. A schedule of events will be announced in mid-summer.
- Tuesday, July 23, 2-5 p.m.
- Location TBD
The 10-week summer program offers students an opportunity to perform cutting-edge research. Each student will be paired with a faculty research mentor. The program includes lectures and presentations by Physics professors and Dr. Bruce Glymour, Professor of Philosophy, will lead discussions of ethical issues in physics, including case studies of some famous ethical violations in recent years. Students will develop a web page, give regular research updates, and give an oral or poster presentation summarizing their research project. Sophomores and juniors who have completed a course in modern physics are eligible. US citizens and permanent residents are encouraged to apply. Rolling admissions begin Feb. 1.
Learn more about K-State Physics REU here.
During eight weeks, 12 undergraduate students will have the opportunity to visit K-State and carry out research projects under the mentorship of the mathematics department's faculty. This REU encourages applications from students preparing for graduate studies in mathematics, and those from community colleges who might otherwise not have an opportunity to experience mathematics work and consider graduate studies. Since a subset of the student population we plan to recruit will be early in their studies, and hence expected to have limited experience with mathematical proof, the REU will feature a series of talks by Philosophy faculty on epistemology of mathematics and propositional logic. SUMaR receives its support from the National Science Foundation, the K-State Mathematics Department, and K-State SUROP.
Mission
- Help students to be independent researchers
- Enhance their understanding of basic mathematics and the areas involved in their own project
- Develop a sense of sound mathematical reasoning
- Create a sense of community among the REU students and our own students and faculty.
The Chemistry REU Program is sponsored by the NSF Research experience for undergraduates program and provides research opportunities for students who have had limited exposure to independent research at their home institution. Both four-year and community college students are encouraged to apply.
As part of this program students spend 10 weeks conducting cutting edge chemistry related research projects under the guidance of experienced researchers.
In addition to the research experience, the students will also learn about and use the various types of instrumentation critical to chemists, learn about the importance of ethics in scientific research, gain a better understanding of the nature of science, and learn how to write up and present their research results.
Accommodations and meals are paid for by the program. Students may also have the opportunity to travel to a national chemistry conference and present their results. Students who have completed one and preferably two years of chemistry coursework are eligible to apply. Rolling admissions begin Feb. 21.
Learn more about Chemistry Research Experience for Undergraduates (Chemistry REU) here.
The Department of Plant Pathology offers summer (9-week program) internships in plant health. This research and extension experience for undergraduates program has research projects that cover plant health subject matters such as plant pathology, entomology, agronomy, genetics, and horticulture. Selected candidates receive a stipend.
Learn more about Summer Internships in Plant Health here.
K-State research programs by college
College of Agriculture
There are a variety of opportunities to get involved with undergraduate research within the College of Agriculture. Explore individual department opportunities by following the links provided below.
Our faculty have a wide range of expertise and frequently take undergraduate research students for research training opportunities in their labs. Many of our faculty also participate in the Interdepartmental Genetics Program.
Our faculty research interests include:
- Plant Disease
- Plant Health
- Genetics (Plant genetics of models and crops, fungal genetics, population genetics, host plant resistance genetics)
- Microbiology (Fungi, Bacteria, Viruses)
- Pathogens (Fungi, Bacteria, Viruses, Nematodes)
- Plant-Microbe Interactions
- Molecular biology
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
- Biotechnology
- Epidemiology
- Applied Plant Pathologyand Microbiology
- Disease diagnosis and management
College of Architecture, Planning and Design
Research and experimentation are at the core of great design. Explore current projects and find research opportunities in APDesign at this link.
College of Arts and Sciences
Undergraduate students enrolled in any major in the College of Arts and Sciences are invited to apply for research awards to conduct projects with faculty members in the college. Learn more. In addition, please visit individual department websites to explore research options that fit your academic interests.
Students who participate in undergraduate research work closely with K-State chemistry professors and internationally known scientists and are given opportunities to present their work at meetings and conferences which provide additional opportunities for networking and interacting with other scientists. Learn more about chemistry research here.
The Communication Studies program is dedicated to research that advances the fields of communication and rhetoric. Students and faculty are involved in a number of scholarly activities. Learn more about Communication Studies here.
The Department of Geology is deepening its research focus in three critical areas including energy and mineral resources, earth surface processes and the environment, and evolution and solid earth. Learn more abou geology research here.
The K-State History Department offers substantial scope to cover several thematic areas of concentration. Read more about department-wide opportunities here.
The Chapman Center for Rural Studies offers internships to undergraduates. Internships in the Chapman Center are allocated $1000.00 per semester and are not based on financial need. Under the direction of the Research Director, interns are expected to work a set number of hours per week on a thematic project leading to a larger goal (ie, publication of a book, database, website, museum installation) and keep a log of their activities each week that should be turned into the Research Director. Learn more about the application process.
The Center for the Integration of Undergraduate, Graduate, and Postdoctoral Research (I-Center) within the Department of Mathematics fosters groups of undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, and faculty jointly working on cutting edge problems in applied mathematics, pure mathematics and interdisciplinary areas. Learn more about mathematics research here.
The Department of Psychological Sciences encourages Psychology majors to become involved in research activities as part of their undergraduate experience. Learn more about how to get involved.
Undergraduate students enrolled in any major in the College of Arts and Sciences are invited to apply for travel funding. The program supports students who want to attend conferences or other professional venues to present their research activities conducted with faculty members in the college. Students also may apply for funding to travel to conduct their research or to learn research techniques. Learn more about the application process here.
College of Business Administration
The College of Business Administration strives to develop and implement a set of initiatives that assist it in achieving national recognition in targeted niche areas. Explore research happening in CBA at this link.
College of Education
For decades, the College of Education has engaged in important partnerships with educators across the state of Kansas, and it is our view that these partnerships are integral in the improvement of education. The Leaders, Educators, and Researchers Network, established in our Research and External Funding office, is focused on supporting the faculty and student research infrastructure in the college and on connecting that research with practitioners in the field. Learn more about COE research opportunities at this link.
College of Engineering
Visit this link to learn more about research opportunities in the College of Engineering.
College of Health and Human Sciences
Faculty and students in the College of Health and Human Sciences are engaged in multidisciplinary research and scholarly activity that impacts the health and well-being of individuals, their families, and the environments in which they live. Find opportunities to engage with HHS research at this link.
College of Veterinary Medicine
Although the College of Veterinary Medicine is primarily equipped to serve graduate students, interested undergraduates can participate in mentored research and receive credit through DVM 599. Visit the College's website to learn more.
Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research
336 Hale Library
1117 Mid-Campus Drive North
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-3422
785-532-6542 fax
sdur@ksu.edu