Research Opportunities

Research is an important component of an interdisciplinary liberal arts education. Students in the Honors College are frequently involved with original research and creative work. Listed below are a few of the ongoing research opportunities available and some examples of past projects to give an idea of what might be possible.

Honors Research Institute (HRI)

The Honors College Research Institute (HRI) provides support to promote collaborations between honors faculty and students engaged in research in either scholarly or creative pursuits. Honors faculty from any field—humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, fine arts, and mathematics—may work with 1-4 undergraduate students on a specific project related to their scholarly interests. By working with the honors faculty member, students will gain professional knowledge and skills by learning and practicing specific methodologies of investigation and research conducted in a field environment.

For more information about HRI opportunities, visit this page.

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF)

UNM is one of forty-eight member schools that participate in the program. The MMUF program is designed to encourage fellows to enter PhD programs that prepare students for professorial careers in academia. In addition to funding, students get one-on-one mentorship with a faculty member and complete a research project during the two-year program.

To learn more, visit the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program website.

Diane and Gordon Myers Funding for Engineering Students

For honors students completing a major or minor in any field of Engineering, funding from a generous donor is available to support student research in two ways.

  • Substantial Research Projects: Juniors or seniors completing any honors degree/credential and a degree in any engineering field may submit a proposal for funding to support substantial student-driven research projects (up to $5,000).
  • Travel Funding for Professional Activities: Students at any level completing any honors degree/ credential as a degree in any engineering field may apply for funds to cover travel expenses to participate in an engineering or honors professional conference, symposium, seminar, or workshop.

For more information about these funding opportunities, visit this page.

National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) and Western Regional Honors Council (WRHC)

The UNM Honors College is a member of the National Honors Collegiate Council (NCHC) and the Western Regional Honors Council (WRHC). Faculty members, students, and staff attend and present their work at these conferences annually. UNM honors students presenting at the NCHC and WRHC may print conference materials, including poster presentations, in the Honors College Flex Lab free of charge. In addition, NCHC and WRHC provide scholarships and awards to students for oustanding research projects and study programs in selected National Parks and cities around the world. Scribendi, the Honors College’s literature and arts magazine, unveils its magazine each year at the WRHC conference.

Undergraduate Research and Design (URAD)

The UNM Undergraduate Research, Arts & Design Network (URAD) is a collective of UNM faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders committed to expanding and improving student engagement opportunities focused on research, arts, and design.