Research Programs
African-American Student Services Ubuntu Research Program
The Ubuntu Research Program is a cohort-based research initiative sponsored by the University of New Mexico’s (UNM) African American Student Services (AASS). Ubuntu provides a supportive environment, culturally responsible curriculum, and compensatory activities to support and empower Black students who are interested in research-based careers. By participating in the program, students should (1) develop a solid foundation in qualitative research methodology, (2) be able to engage in meaningful and culturally responsive research within Black communities, and (3) become competitive applicants in nationally renowned research programs, graduate schools, and research careers.
ASSURE (Arts & Sciences Support for Undergraduate Research Experience)
This program is designed to foster faculty-student research collaborations in the college of Arts & Sciences, and, as such, we are particularly eager to fund work through which students have the opportunity to engage in thoughtful and progressively sophisticated work central to the overall research program of the principal investigator. Because the awards are part of larger efforts to foster a culture of faculty-undergraduate research collaboration at UNM, we would like to see proposals engaging lower-division students and students from underrepresented groups. Visit our site for details and eligibility requirements.
MMUF (Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship)
- Have two years remaining before graduation
- Have an overall GPA of 3.5
- Be determined to pursue a PhD and an academic career in one of the MMUF fields
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident or DACA grantee
McNair & ROP (Research Opportunity Program)
The McNair Scholars Program is a federal TRIO program funded at approximately 187 institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico by the U.S. Department of Education. ROP is funded by the NM State Legislature and is only at UNM (main campus).
Benefits for Participants:
- Stipends ($) for completing research and scholarly activities
- Paid Travel Opportunities
- Scholars complete a research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor
- Seminars that prepare students for research and application to graduate school
- Summer research internship
- McNair-specific graduate school application fee waivers, scholarships/fellowships
- Intensive advisement
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) prep course
- Participants emerge from the program prepared for the rigors of graduate school
- Participants are recruited by graduate schools nationwide
- Eligibility is listed on our application
El Puente Research Fellowship
El Puente supports and promotes undergraduate research in multiple academic areas. Over two semesters, fellows work closely with graduate mentors and faculty as they increase their understanding and experience of academic research, and gain the knowledge and tools necessary to begin the research process, develop a research proposal, and prepare for graduate school.
Engineering & Computer Science Student Research Experience Program
Any UNM undergraduate School of Engineering student interested in gaining research experience in the Engineering and Computer Science fields is encouraged to apply.
U-RISE (Undergraduate Research Training Initiative For Student Enhancement)
- Full time student and 2 years away from graduation
- Commitment to pursuing a Ph.D. in a biomedical research field
- US citizen or permanent resident
- Member of an underrepresented group
- Minimum GPA 3.0
UNM-AMP (UNM Alliance for Minority Participation)
- Minority student (Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander, African-American)
- Admitted to STEM major in a UNM program and have a prospective research mentor
- U.S. citizenship or status as a national, refugee alien, or permanent resident per NSF guidelines
UREBS (Undergraduate Research Experience in Biomedical Sciences)
This opportunity allows UNM undergraduate students to earn credit (by registering for BIOM 410) for working on a research project with a faculty from north campus.
UPN (Undergraduate Pipeline Network)
This is a summer research opportunity at UNM’s Health Sciences Center that gives undergraduates (US citizens or green card holders) the opportunity to build research skills and prepare for post-baccalaureate education in the health sciences. Students are assigned to a faculty mentor for the 10 week program and earn a stipend for their work.
In addition to the UPN Program, UNM also offers the “Cancer Research—Scholarship and Training Experiences in Population Science” ( C-STEPS) Program. These activities will help you meet your graduate and medical school goals. Scholars in the C-STEPS Program are exposed to all activities in the UPN Program in addition to activities of the C-STEPS Program.
PREP (Post-Baccalaureate Research and Education)
PREP programs at The University of New Mexico provide enrichment opportunities for recent college graduates from underrepresented groups (as defined by the NIH) who are interested in pursuing a PhD in the biomedical sciences or a career in cancer research.
NIH funded PREP and ACS funded Cancer-PREPprograms provide post-bacs with a rigorous and fully immersive one- to two-year biomedical laboratory research experience. These programs allow scholars to cultivate skills essential for graduate school while also being employed as full-time staff, attending seminars (for both scientific and professional development), and benefitting from the mentorship of the UNM research faculty and community.
For more information, please contact PREP@unm.edu
