Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is leading a new, multi-institutional effort funded by the National Science Foundation to improve mentorship and expand opportunities for undergraduate research experiences in engineering. Rose-Hulman will receive $126,043 of the $699,701 award to be distributed over the next three years to the five institutions through NSF’s Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program, which will support the creation of an Undergraduate Research Excellence Network (UREN).

Rose-Hulman faculty members Irene Reizman, PhD, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, and Michelle Marincel Payne, PhD, Roland E. Hutchins Endowed Chair and Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, are heading the initiative. Partner institutions include Georgia Institute of Technology, Lawrence Technological University, Baylor University, and the University of Washington Tacoma.

Undergraduate research offers students valuable opportunities for creative problem-solving, hands-on application of classroom concepts, and professional growth. However, high-quality experiences also depend on faculty and graduate student mentors who may not always have the time, training, or resources to guide student researchers effectively. The new UREN will provide coaching, training materials, and workshops to support faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students in developing sustainable and impactful approaches to mentoring undergraduate researchers.

A special focus of the network will be helping students adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging them to take ownership of their projects and understand how their work can create value. Over the course of one year, participating mentors will receive coaching, develop action plans for implementing best practices, and present case reports on their results. The collaboration will also leverage existing training materials—such as activities and videos for undergraduate researchers and mentors—originally developed with support from the Kern Family Foundation. Seed funding from the Kern Family Foundation helped bring together the partner institutions for this proposal.

“This project reflects Rose-Hulman’s commitment to leading national initiatives that strengthen engineering education,” said Rose-Hulman President Robert A. Coons. “Undergraduate research is one of the most powerful ways students can learn to think critically, solve complex problems, and gain confidence in their abilities. We are proud to partner with the National Science Foundation, the Kern Family Foundation, and our fellow institutions to expand access to high-quality research experiences for the next generation of engineers.”

The NSF IUSE program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program backs promising practices and tools that enhance learning outcomes and broaden participation in STEM.