So You're Interested in Undergraduate Graphics Research? Read On...

Great! Undergraduate research is a great chance to learn about a topic more in depth and determine if a career in academia (or even a just few years in graduate school) is right for you. Furthermore, it gives you a chance to engage a faculty member on a more personal level than coursework allows. This proves especially beneficial when looking for letters of recommendation or references.

Fortunately for undergraduates, research money is a bit easier to come by than it is for graduate students. That's not so say it is definite, but if you really want some money to do research, it is very likely you can get some.

Why? The answer is easy, really.

1. Few undergraduates go to the trouble to look for research opportunities. The competition for money is not too intense.
2. Lots of people agree research is an important part of an undergraduate degree and offer monetary support.
   • Governmental funding organizations (e.g., NSF, NIH) often have special pots of money to supplement research grants with funds specifically for undergraduate research. Ask a faculty member. They might have some.
   • The university. The University of Iowa has money you (or a faculty member) can apply for to support undergraduate research.
   • The college. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences also has money you can apply for.
3. There's one additional obvious reason, but I'll let you figure it out....

So what's the process for getting research money to work for me on graphics?

1. I need to know you. Typically this means you need to have taken 22C:151 (Computer Graphics), done reasonably well, and shown more than a passing interest in computer graphics.
2. You need to come talk to me, and ask about possible research possibilities. I often have lots of ideas, and not nearly enough time to do them all. But I probably do not have time to supervise you on a topic I know nothing about.
3. You need the ability to code, think, and experiment on your own, yet have the ability to recognize when you get stuck and come discuss the problem with me.
4. If I think you seem promising, we need to discuss funding options.
   • For all types of funding, except grant money earmarked for undergraduate research, certain deadlines and restrictions must be met.

What money is available?

1. Research grant money that I explicity control.
   • Pay and hours are directly negotiable, within limits.
   • Available to fund research during academic or summer terms.
2. Excellence in Undergraduate Research Awards
   • This is an award the University gives to support travel to present your completed research.
   • Around $1,000 for travel expenses and travel stipend.
   • Requires you to be on the ball -- it's limited to students who are returning the following year!
     • Complete your research by mid-spring of your junior year!
3. Undergraduate Scholar Assistant Program.
   • Stipend of $1,250 per semester.
   • Work 10+ hours per week.
   • Limited to academic year.
   • Support for up to four consecutive semesters.
   • Faculty (that's me) limited to one student at a time.
   • Deadline near the beginning of the semester.
   • I do not currently list opportunities with them, so extra time is necessary so I can perform any necessary setup.
4. Iowa Research Experience for Undergraduates (IREU).
   • Up to a $3,000 total grant. Beware that "total" does not mean you get $3,000, due to various things.
   • Faculty must write a short proposal by mid-semester for funding commencing the semester after.
   • Funding is likely, but not guaranteed.
   • Students who discuss a project well in advance of the deadline (mid-November and mid-April) have a better chance.
   • Pay and hours negotiable, but must be in the proposal.
   • Faculty (that's me) are currently limited to one proposal every two years.
   • Can support academic or summer term research.
5. Dewey Stuit Fund in the Liberal Arts and Sciences.
   • A $300 award for research or travel (to present research).
   • Can be initiated by either student or faculty, though you need a letter of support.
   • Can support work during summer, fall, or spring terms.
   • Deadlines in April and November (for the following terms).

Last Modified: Friday, November 11, 2005

Chris Wyman (cwyman@cs.uiowa.edu)