For Faculty

As a leading research university, the University at Buffalo is driven by discovery, creativity, and the pursuit of new knowledge. Undergraduate research is an essential part of that mission—connecting students to the practices, values and impact of research across disciplines.

Faculty mentorship is central to this work. By engaging undergraduates in research and creative activity, faculty help cultivate the next generation of thinkers while strengthening a campus-wide culture of inquiry.

Work with Undergraduate Researchers

Undergraduate researchers bring curiosity, fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to research and creative projects. Through mentored experiences grounded in learning by doing, students develop skills in inquiry, reflection and application, and faculty gain collaborators who grow more capable and independent over time.

Working with undergraduates can:

  • Support exploratory, ongoing or long-term research agendas.
  • Foster deeper engagement with learning in and out of the classroom.
  • Create opportunities for reflection on methods, questions and outcomes.
  • Strengthen connections between teaching and scholarship.
  • Contribute to a vibrant and inclusive research community at UB.

These experiences align with practices that emphasize doing, reflecting, thinking and applying—benefiting both students and mentors.

Partner with the Office for Undergraduate Research

The Office for Undergraduate Research supports faculty who engage students in research across all disciplines. Whether you are mentoring undergraduates for the first time or have long integrated students into your work, the office serves as a resource and connector.

Faculty can partner with the Office for Undergraduate Research to:

  • Share undergraduate research opportunities with a broad student audience.
  • Connect with students at different stages of their academic journey.
  • Access mentoring guidance and support resources.
  • Support student dissemination through presentations, showcases and related opportunities.
  • Provide guidance and letters of support for grant applications including undergraduate researchers.

The office helps streamline connections and logistics so faculty can focus on mentoring and scholarship.

Advance a Shared Research Mission

Undergraduate research strengthens UB’s mission as a research-intensive institution by fostering curiosity, collaboration and reflective learning. Faculty mentorship helps students move from participation to insight, and from insight to contribution.

Explore the resources in this section to learn how the Office for Undergraduate Research can support your work with undergraduate researchers.