Research

Undergraduate Research

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Honors Research Assistant Program

The Honors Research Assistant Program provides Honors students an opportunity to work with professors as paid research assistants. Specific projects and the type of work entailed varies with each participating professor. Twenty-five HRAP positions are funded each fall and spring semester.

Deadline for faculty applications, spring 2026 - Jan 26

Deadline for student applications, spring 2026 - Feb 6

Criteria

Honors students can submit papers from any class
Non-Honors students can submit papers from any Honors class
Co-authored publications will split cash prize evenly among all authors.
No submission or page limit

HRAP Openings

Student Eligibility

Student must be an Honors College student in good standing, have at least 15 hours of college credit, and have at least a 3.40 GPA.
HRAP may not be combined with other Honors programs or requirements (such as Research 3980 or UROP).

Open HRAP positions will be listed below at the start of each fall and spring semester along with position dates. Positions are 10 hours per week for a period of 10 weeks, paid to the student at a rate of $10 per hour.

Review positions listed on this webpage and select one that interests you.
Download the Student Application for HRAP Position (PDF)
Complete the form and return to the faculty member hosting the position via email.
The professor will contact you regarding the position.
Positions will be open until filled.

Faculty Opportunities

Review the updated guidelines: HRAP Details & Guidelines (pdf)
Complete the Dynamic Forms application here.
Deadline to submit your proposal is January 30, 2026.

Contact honors@ou.edu with any questions or for more information.

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The Honors Undergraduate Research Journal

The Honors Undergraduate Research Journal (THURJ) is an annual publication that celebrates undergraduate research in all academic disciplines. Each spring, THURJ publishes the best undergraduate research papers from the previous year written by Honors students, as determined by an editorial board of their peers. The editorial board reads and evaluates submissions using a blind review process, and chooses between 8-12 papers for publication in the journal. All published authors also receive a $200 prize.

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Latest Issues:

THURJ 2025 (PDF)

THURJ 2024 (PDF)

THURJ 2023 (PDF)

THURJ 2022 (PDF)

Honors Research 3980

Research 3980 is an independent study course that proves an opportunity for Honors students to engage in an original research project about a question, issue, or subject that interests them. Most students use the results of 3980 as their Honors thesis submission (see below). Completion of 3 credit hours of 3980 is required for students planning to graduate with Honors in one major; students with more than one major may need additional credit hours of 3980 and should consult an Honors advisor.

Research 3980 can be completed in any college or department, including the Honors College, depending on a student's interests. It is the student's responsibility to seek out a professor who will serve as their mentor for 3980, and it is best to approach potential professors at least one semester prior to the planned enrollment. Most students complete 3980 with a professor they have already taken a class with, often within their major, but this is not always the case.

Consult an Honors College advisor about any questions related to completing the Research 3980 requirement.

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Honors Thesis

The Honors thesis allows students to build on the knowledge they have acquired during the course of their degree and produce a final product in which they take pride. The thesis should demonstrate (1) an understanding of the tools (methods, theories, and models) of a discipline and the ability to use these tools, (2) the ability to develop an informed, well-reasoned, and creative response to a question or problem, and (3) the ability to effectively communicate the results of a project in writing and/or creative media, depending on the academic discipline in which the thesis falls. Successful completion of the thesis demonstrates that a student is prepared to learn and work on their own.
Because Honors students come from all different disciplines and fields, no two theses will look alike. When enrolling, the student and professor should together craft a research plan that ensures the student will have an appropriate thesis project to submit by the end of the semester.

Honors Thesis Standards (pdf)

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Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) offers financial assistance for student-driven scholarly and creative projects under the mentorship of a faculty member. UROP grants can be requested for up to $1,000. UROP grants cover research expenses only.

Deadline for UROP Applications has been extended to February 4, 2026

Student Eligibility and Responsibilities

Open to all University of Oklahoma undergraduate students on the Norman and Health Sciences Center campus.
Student projects must have a faculty sponsor.
Students may apply for UROP either individually or as a pair. If applying as a pair or team, any amount awarded will be divided equally between the two applicants.Teams must have a student lead.
If you are selected to receive a UROP award, you will be required to submit a one-page final report summarizing the results of your project. This will be due by the end of the semester following the semester in which your project was awarded. This date will be included in your award letter.

How to Apply

View the UROP Details and guidelines (pdf)
Visit the Application link below.
You will need to be prepared with the following information: Summary/Abstract, Budget, Contact information of your faculty sponsor and department chair/director.

Apply for UROP

Contact honors@ou.edu with any questions or for more information.

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Faculty Sponsor Responsibilities

Supervise student UROP project.
Ensure compliance with all university safety and research subject requirements.
Submit the final report to the Honors College (honors@ou.edu), which should consist of the following: 1) A narrative report prepared by the student. 2) Copy of formal written approvals if indicated (e.g., IRB, IACUC). View the UROP Details and guidelines (pdf)

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