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Undergraduate Research Awards (URAs) are granted to promote undergraduate research in a scientific laboratory setting. Interested students should explore the lab sites listed on the faculty directory to learn more about research areas.

New URAs

The Spring 2026 URA Application form is closed.

The new URA Summer application form will open on Monday, 25 May 2026 at 8:00 a.m. and close on Monday, 22 June 2026 at midnight.

To apply, you will need to do the following:

  • Discuss your interest in the URA with your faculty mentor before applying.
  • Complete the URA Proposal and Mentoring Plan Template. Upload it to the application at the link above.
  • Attend the training session the first week of Summer classes.
  • Register for a chemistry research course (CHEM 297R, required for Fall and Winter. See Eileen, Erin, or Valerie in C100 for an add code).

Renewing URAs

To continue your URA, you will need to do the following:

  • Submit your end-of-semester progress report and end-of-semester form via Learning Suite for Chem 297R, 497R, or 498R. These are due on the last day of class each semester.
  • Take the ELMS survey* (from byu-csm@csm.symplicity.com)
    • each year in March/April
    • when you complete your URA for the last time.
  • Register for Chem 497R or 498R** during Fall and Winter semesters.

*ELMS Survey

URA students must complete the ELMS survey once each year (March/April) and after their final semester/term. This survey will come from byu-csm@csm.symplicity.com.

**Concurrent Enrollment

Enrollment in one of the following research classes is required during Fall and Winter semesters. This requirement is waived during Spring and Summer terms.

Please come to C100 to get an add code from Eileen Hargraves, Valerie Maker, or Erin McPhee.

*Full-semester section: 001. Second-block-only section: 002

  • CHEM 297R is intended for students who are new to a research lab. This course is 0.5 nonmajor credit hours and graded on a pass/fail basis.
  • CHEM 497R is for students continuing work in a research lab. This course is 1 nonmajor credit hour and graded on a pass/fail basis.
  • CHEM 498R is a research capstone course that requires an extensive research paper. This course is a variable credit course with a letter grade. 3 credits may be counted toward graduation. This course should only be taken once.



Contact Information

URA Administrator

Eileen Hargraves
Phone (801) 422-5823
Email: coffice@chem.byu.edu