UR2PhD is building capacity in computer science to expand participation in research.
The Undergraduate Research to PhD program (“UR2PhD”, pronounced ‘you are to PhD’) engages undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty mentors, universities and colleges, and non-profits to increase the quantity and quality of mentored research experiences while sustaining student interest in research.
Learn more about why and how you can be a part of UR2PhD
To explore tailored information for you, select the category that best describes you.
Program Features
The UR2PhD program is comprised of several virtual activities.
Pre-Research Experience Course
Introduces students to research by supporting them in replicating an existing CS research experiment.
UndergraduateResearch Training Course
Equips undergraduates with fundamental research skills to support the start of their work with a research mentor.
Graduate Student Mentor Training Course
Provides graduate students with theoretical and practical support for building professional skills.
Research Engagement and Awareness Workshops
Increase student understanding of research, research careers, and pathways.
Graduate SchoolApplication Workshops
Prepare students for applying to master’s and doctoral computing programs.
The UR2PhD program intends to support students and faculty at North American institutions.
Please note: workshops are open to any student interested in exploring computing research and/or interested in learning more about graduate school applications. Courses are space-limited and follow an application process. To learn more about how to apply, please go to the undergraduate and/or graduate student pages.
Program Objectives
UR2PhD aims to help prepare students for research experiences, so that students will feel more comfortable and confident pursuing graduate study.
The UR2PhD program specifically focuses on scaling the quality and quantity of undergraduate research opportunities available while also closing the gap between a first research experience and a successful PhD application.
Upcoming Deadlines
Institutional Partnerships:
- Institutional Partner Application (Learn more about this opportunity)
- If you plan to participate in the summer, please apply by April 30
- If you plan to participate in the fall, please apply by August 15
Graduate Student Mentor Training Course:
- Graduate Student Mentor Training Course Application (Learn more about this opportunity)
- If you plan to participate in the summer, please apply by May 18
- If you plan to participate in the fall, please apply by September 7
Undergraduate Research Training Course:
- Undergraduate Research Training Course Application (Learn more about this opportunity)
- If you plan to participate in the summer, please apply by May 21 or June 10 (depending on section)
- If you plan to participate in the fall, please apply by September 9
Undergraduate Pre-Research Experience Course:
- Pre-Research Experience Course Application (Learn more about this opportunity)
- If you plan to participate in the summer, please apply by June 1
Graduate Student Continuing Mentor Funding:
- Continuing Graduate Student Mentor Funding Application
- If you plan to apply for spring funding, please apply by March 1
- If you plan to apply for summer funding, please apply by June 1
- If you plan to apply for fall funding, please apply by October 1
Additional Opportunities:
- Technical Conference Travel Funding Application (Learn more about this opportunity)
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; please apply as soon as you learn about your presentation opportunity
- REU Funding for Students Application (Learn more about this opportunity)
- We are not currently accepting applications.
- REU Funding for Mentors Application (Learn more about this opportunity)
- We are not currently accepting applications.
- Undergraduate Mentoring Workshop & Research Showcase (Learn more about this event)
- This event happened on Friday, April 24, 2026. View the list of student speakers.
FUNDING | The Computing Research Association received a $5 million grant from a philanthropic partner to support the UR2PhD program. UR2PhD also received a $2 million grant from an industry partner.
UR2PhD: Undergraduate Research Methods Course by Computing Research Association’s UR2PhD Program. This work, “UR2PhD Undergraduate Research Methods Course”, is adapted from “Early Research Scholars Program” by Christine Alvarado, UC San Diego, used under CC BY 4.0. “UR2PhD Undergraduate Research Scholars” is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the Computing Research Association’s UR2PhD Program and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
UR2PhD: Graduate Student Mentor Training Course by Computing Research Association’s UR2PhD Program is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
