UNO Research Opportunities
Tolmas Scholars' Programs
Privateer Undergraduate Research & Scholarly UNO Experience (PURSUE)
The "Privateer Undergraduate Research & Scholarly UNO Experience," affectionately termed "PURSUE," connects students in all disciplines with faculty research mentors who will guide the students through semester-long research projects. It serves to engage freshmen and sophomores in the cutting-edge research being conducted across campus.
Applications open in the fall for participation in the Spring program. Women and minority students are encouraged to apply. Departments may offer undergraduate research credit for participating students.
Review the Mentor List to identify a faculty or staff member whose research interests align with yours.
College of Sciences Undergraduate Research Program (CoSURP)
The College of Sciences Undergraduate Research Program (CoSURP) serves to engage freshmen and sophomores in the College of Sciences in cutting-edge research, providing funding for laboratory supplies and student wages. CoSURP seeks to enrich the UNO undergraduate experience by:
- engaging students at the beginning of their studies at UNO;
- increasing the interaction between undergraduate students and faculty/graduate students;
- building lasting bonds through group educational opportunities and social activities.
Applications open in the fall for participation in the Spring program. Women and minority students are encouraged to apply. Departments may offer undergraduate research credit for participating students.
The College of Sciences maintains a list of relevant undergraduate research programs.
Undergraduate Student Travel Award
CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
The Undergraduate Student Travel Award offers financial assistance to undergraduate students traveling to domestic conferences/symposia to present research or creative/scholarly works. Awards will recognize students who have distinguished themselves through research, scholarship, and/or creativity in their fields.
The Office of Research will award up to half of the total cost of travel; students should solicit additional funds from the student's college, department, or other sources to cover the other half of travel expenses.
The Undergraduate Research & Creativity Council will review applications and make recommendations to the Vice President for Research & Economic Development, who will make the final determination.
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Eligibility
- At the time of application, the student must be a current degree-seeking undergraduate with a minimum of half-time enrollment.
- Travel must take place within one year of graduation from a Bachelor’s program at the University of New Orleans.
- At the time of the application submission, students do not have to show acceptance to the conference/symposium.
- However, prior to Travel Authorization approval, students do need to show acceptance to the conference/symposium. Airfare must be purchased by UNO—you cannot get reimbursed if you purchase yourself.
A student cannot receive more than one travel award in an academic year.
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Timelines
Fall Applications for Spring/Summer Travel Call for applications August 14 Deadline to submit applications October 15 Notification of awards November Travel will take place the following Spring/Summer Spring Applications for Fall Travel Call for applications January 15 Deadline to submit applications March 15 Notification of awards April Travel will take place the following Fall -
Apply
All materials should be emailed as a single PDF document to cur@uno.edu.
Applications should only include the following items:
- Nomination letter from research mentor
- Completed Undergraduate Student Travel Award Application
- Unofficial UNO transcript
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Reporting
- Submit to cur@uno.edu a copy of the abstract or statement of work, as posted in the conference proceedings 15-30 days after return from trip.
- Submit to cur@uno.edu a photo of you at the conference on the day that you present. This can be an action photo or a posed photo in front of the conference logo. Photos will be used for social media and in promotional material for the Office of Research.
- Present your project at the annual InnovateUNO research symposium.
Research in Catalysis/Photocatalysis in France
2021 Information TBA in Fall
This program is supported by UNO, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, and the National Science Foundation.
Exciting research positions for undergraduates are available in catalysis and photocatalysis in Lyon, France. The Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 and the Institute of Research on Catalysis and the Environment of Lyon are established European centers of excellence for catalysis and photocatalysis research. Selected undergraduate students will participate in pretravel virtual orientation programs, an on-site orientation in Lyon, research in catalysis or photocatalysis in Lyon, and additional enrichment activities in Lyon. Post-program follow up activities will also occur, and travel funds will be available for presenting research results at a regional or national conference in the US.
Full-time positions begin May 24, 2020 and end July 24, 2020*, and are accompanied by a stipend of $5,000. Housing, meal, and travel costs are also included.
Consideration of applications will begin by Jan. 24, 2020. Notification of acceptance to the program will be made via e-mail as early as Feb. 14, 2020.
*All program dates are tentative.
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Eligibility
College students entering the sophomore, junior, or senior year in Fall 2020 or students beginning graduate studies in Fall 2020 are eligible. Strong preference will be given to students with prior research experience.
No French language skills are required, but a willingness to learn is necessary.
Program open to US citizens and permanent residents without graduate school enrollment prior to Aug. 1, 2020.
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Responsibilities
Program participants must commit to:
- Three afternoon virtual training sessions (Mar. 7, Apr. 4, May 9*)
- Obtaining a valid US passport prior to March 15 (expiration date no earlier than Jan. 31, 2021)
- Completing 30 minutes per week of French familiarization with Duolingo February through May
- Arriving in Lyon on May 25* (departing US on May 24)
- Attending all orientation programs in Lyon, France
- Participating in full time research activities on site at UCBL
- Participating in all scheduled enrichment activities in Lyon
- Presenting an end of program poster at UCBL on July 24*
- Participating in a post-program virtual workshop (afternoon of Aug. 15*)
- Completing program evaluation forms
- Sharing your experience with fellow students
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Benefits
Program participants will receive:
- $5000 Stipend
- Round-trip transportation from US to Lyon
- Housing in Lyon
- Meal allowance
- International health insurance
- French cell phone during program
- Lyon metro pass
- Funding to present research findings at a US conference (contingent on sufficient research progress)
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How to Apply
To apply, submit these items:
- Application form (link to come in Fall)
- Three letters of recommendation
- An unofficial college transcript (official transcript will be required if accepted to the program
Have letters and transcripts sent to be received by Jan. 24, 2020 to Liz Sigler at cur@uno.edu.
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Potential Research Projects
- Professor Corrine Ferronato: Photocatalytic degradation of organic micro-pollutants and identification of carboxylic acid based intermediates using HSTrap/GC/MS
- Professor Jean-Marc Chovelon: Photocatalytic degradation of furosemide and identification of its main intermediates
- Professor Anne Giroir-Fendler: Cobalt oxide catalyst for propane oxidation
- Professor Claude Descorme: Adsorption of micropollutants in water
- Professor Pascal Fongarland: Non-destructive extraction of hemicelluloses in ionic liquids for catalytic valorization
- Dr. Chloé Thieuleux: Development of bimetallic nanoparticles: looking for synergetic effects in catalysis
- Professor Peter Goekjian: Fluorous Solvent Droplet Catalysis in Fluorous Tag Oligosaccharide Synthesis
- Professor Peter Strazewski: Phospholipids and Designed Fluorophores for the Detection of Peptides Synthetized on and within Giant Vesicles
- Dr. Chantal Guillard: Photocatalytic Efficiency of Luminous Textiles for Pesticide Removal
- Professor Didier Leonard: Analysis of physical and chemical properties of surface functionalized materials, especially with ToF-SIMS and XPS characterization
Due to shifts in personnel and funding, available projects may change.
Tocqueville Scholars Program
Tocqueville Scholars is a fellowship program for outstanding undergraduate students at the University of New Orleans who are interested in issues connected to public policy, ethics, and the law. Participants receive competitive scholarship funding to work closely with faculty in the Urban Entrepreneurship and Policy Institute on interdisciplinary research and community-focused projects. Members of a lively intellectual community, scholars develop practical and analytical skills that prepare them for fulfilling lives, prosperous careers, and good citizenship.
Mentor Match
Do you want to pursue an independent study project? Then it's time to find a mentor!
Mentors assist students with research and scholarly efforts or independent study courses. The Mentor Match program offers an avenue for you to find someone with whom you would like to collaborate.
McNair Scholars Program
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, also referred to as the McNair Scholars Program, is a United States Department of Education TRIO initiative which seeks to provide intensive support to eligible undergraduate students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree. Students of the McNair Scholars Program are involved in research and other scholarly activities while pursuing an undergraduate degree.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Program Description: The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the flagship exchange program of the U.S. Department of State offering academic year grants in over 140 countries to support research and study in a broad variety of fields, as well as English Teaching Assistantships. To be eligible, by the time the grant begins you must (1) be a citizen or national of the United States and (2) hold a bachelors’ degree or equivalent.
Grant opportunities vary by country, and interested students are encouraged to explore the country program summaries and other program information on the Fulbright webpage.
Application Process: In the Spring, the application process and deadline (usually mid-October) are announced. Because the student applies through UNO, the university will have an earlier internal deadline (usually mid-September) for receiving applications.