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Faculty & Other Mentors

Connect with students eager to jump in and make meaningful contributions to your research.

Engage MIT students. Enhance your research.

MIT undergraduates are motivated and engaged, and UROP is a great way to make them an important part of your research. UROP connects you with undergraduates who want to become active, productive members of your team. Not only are they committed to making real, meaningful contributions to your work, but they are also excited to benefit from your experience, expertise, and mentorship.

New to UROP? Start here.

93% percent of MIT undergraduates complete at least one UROP. Here’s how to find the right students and set the stage for a mutually rewarding and productive experience.

  1. 01 Advertise your project

    Posting your project on the Experiential Learning Exchange Portal (ELx) is the best way to reach candidates and generate interest. An ELx posting lists key information about your project as well as eligibility requirements and deadlines. It also provides an application template you can use for vetting  students interested in your UROP listing in which students will provide details on their interests and backgrounds resume. You can also advertise your project by letting your department’s UROP coordinator know that you are looking, and by reaching out to previous UROP students or undergraduates in your classes.  

    Post your UROP project now.

  2. 02 Meet with students

    Review inquiries from interested applicants and arrange meetings with students who seem like they might be a good fit. Clearly communicate your expectations, and give them a chance to share what they hope to achieve by working with you.

    Visit the Mentor Tools & Resources page for advice and contact our team if you need additional tips on how to prepare for these student meetings.

  3. 03 Review project plans

    Once you’ve selected a student, they will write and submit a project plan/proposal that outlines the details of their specific UROP. They will upload this as part of the formal online application that will be submitted to the UROP Office.

    You will review project plans via the online application system submitting to your department’s UROP coordinator and then UROP staff for final approval.

  4. 04 Mentor and evaluate your students

    You are expected to mentor your student throughout the course of their UROP. We offer ongoing workshops designed to provide strategies for becoming an effective mentor, we also feature curated mentor resources on this site.  The UROP team is also here to answer questions or provide additional resources. Faculty mentors formally evaluate students at the end of each term via their UROP online system homepage.

Check out our comprehensive mentor resources!

Our team has curated these best practices, how-to-guides, and resources to aid all UROP mentors—whether you’re just planning your first UROP, or looking for practical advice to help you be the best mentor possible.

Explore Mentor Resources ✨