Multi-step Application Process
Eligible students may apply to the Undergraduate Research Scholars (URS) thesis program each summer. The application process includes multiple steps: submission, review, and approval.
All stages of the URS thesis program application will be completed within a single online platform. To prepare, use the application template and carefully follow the Application Instructions & Examples Guides.
Important
Applicants must work closely with their faculty advisors while preparing their proposal documents and before submitting their applications. Once an application is submitted through the portal, the faculty advisor will receive an email with a link to approve the proposal. Faculty approval is required before submissions are considered for review.
Proposal responses should show a well-developed plan for conducting independent research and writing a thesis within the program’s timeframe (August 2026 through April 2027).
Undergraduate applicants must be the primary authors of their proposals. Team projects are permitted, but each team member must contribute equally to writing the proposal and thesis. Proposals must not include language taken from existing grants, prior proposals, or material written by graduate students, faculty advisors, or others.
Application Deadlines
Early Deadline (August 12, 2026)
Applicants only need to meet this deadline if their faculty advisor requires them to be officially accepted to the URS thesis program before they may register for a related course (such as 491, 485, 497, or another advisor-specified course).
In this case, submit your complete application by August 12, 2026 at Midnight (11:59 PM) Central Time so we can review and process your acceptance before the first day of fall 2026 classes on August 24.
Final Deadline (September 8, 2026)
All other applicants, including those whose course registration is not dependent on prior program acceptance, must submit their complete application by September 8, 2026 at Midnight (11:59 PM) Central Time. This is the last date we will accept URS program applications.
If you are unsure which deadline applies to you, please check with both your faculty advisor and UGR staff.
Application Review Process
Once applications are approved by faculty advisors, they are assigned to one of our volunteer proposal reviewers. This person may be a faculty member or postdoc in your field or in a similar field.
The purpose of the proposal review process is to assess whether the submitted research plan is acceptable within the scope of the URS thesis program. Depending on the level of detail provided in the application proposal, as well as writing clarity, proposal reviewers may request multiple rounds of revision before they will recommend acceptance.
We recommend providing as much detail as possible in your proposal document. Be as granular as possible in your timeline, focusing on specific research tasks in addition to program deadlines. Consider all possibilities in your contingency plan.
Students and faculty will receive a separate and final acceptance notice from UGR staff confirming acceptance into the program.
Team Applications
- Undergraduate Research Scholars teams may consist of 2-5 students working with the same faculty advisor.
- ALL team members must individually submit an application. The application must be identical for all members. We recommend that all team members work together to submit all parts the application.
- Teams must select one member as the Primary Contact. This member will be the primary point of contact for all submissions and correspondence in the URS program.
- Faculty advisors must individually approve each team member's application.
Honor and Student Conduct Code Acknowledgement
Any type of honor or student conduct code violation from student rules will result in a review and possible dismissal from the program. Additionally, any type of honor or student conduct code violation after completion of the program will result in a review and ineligibility to receive the Undergraduate Research Scholar honors transcript distinction.
- Students in the URS thesis program must be in good standing at the university while they are in the program, at the time of graduation distinction audit, and through graduation to be eligible for the Undergraduate Research Scholar honors transcript distinction.
- Students who receive the F* sanction for academic misconduct at any time from entry to Texas A&M University through graduation are ineligible to participate in the URS program or receive the Undergraduate Research Scholar honors transcript distinction.
- Students who have been found responsible for a violation of the Student Conduct Code and sanctioned with suspension or expulsion at any time from entry to Texas A&M University through graduation, or any sanction that has resulted in their not being in good disciplinary standing while they are in the program, at the time of graduation distinction audit, and through graduation are ineligible to participate in the URS program or receive the Undergraduate Research Scholar honors transcript distinction upon final resolution of their case.
- Students may not be awarded the Undergraduate Research Scholar honors transcript distinction retroactively after completing the Academic Integrity Development Program.
- Currently be and remain in good standing (prior offenses where students were not in good standing are not considered if the student is in good standing at the time they apply to the program through graduation)
- Have never received an F* from entry to Texas A&M University through graduation
- Have never received a sanction of suspension or expulsion from entry to Texas A&M University through graduation
| Guide | Link |
|---|---|
| 2026–2027 Universal Instructions & Help Text | TBA |
| 2026–2027 Application Planning Template | TBA |
| 2026–2027 URS Application Example – STEM | TBA |
| 2026–2027 URS Application Example – Arts & Humanities | TBA |
| 2026–2027 URS Application Example – Creative Works | TBA |