Elevate Undergraduate Research at NAU
At NAU, the Office of Undergraduate Research is dedicated to transforming education through hands-on discovery. We believe that research and creative activity are not extras—they are essential experiences that deepen learning, build confidence, and prepare students for meaningful careers.
Over the past five years, our office has expanded its reach by 71%, connecting more students than ever before with faculty mentors, independent research opportunities, and scholarly experiences. Thanks to generous donors and partners, we’ve been able to open doors that shape futures.
Giving Day Priorities & Our Future Vision
Today, funding for experiential learning in higher education is increasingly limited. While NAU continues to prioritize core academic needs, opportunities like independent research and conference participation are becoming less accessible, especially for students without financial means. This is where donor support makes a transformative difference.
Your support to the Undergraduate Research Fund on NAU Giving Day will help Undergraduate Research...
- Send 10+ students to present their work at regional and national conferences
- Fund year-long independent research projects for five or more students
- Provide 30+ students with opportunities to tour world-renowned research labs, explore summer internships, and connect with leading scientists and program directors
Looking ahead, Undergraduate Research hopes to...
In 1 Year...
- Increase our reach by 25%
In 5 Years...
- Ensure that 100% of Flagstaff-Mountain students graduate with research experience
- Reinstate critical travel funding so students can share their work on professional stages
- Increase student placement in competitive summer research internships by at least 20% annually
How Research Shapes Student Lives
The impact of undergraduate research goes far beyond the classroom. Hear more about how research shapes the trajectory of one NAU student's life:
"One NAU student was accepted to present at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research as a sophomore. Thanks to a travel award, she was able to attend—an opportunity that would have otherwise been financially out of reach.
During the conference, a casual conversation at an evening event led to an unexpected connection. Another attendee recognized her research and introduced her work to a faculty mentor in a similar field. The next day, that mentor visited her poster presentation.
What followed was a two-year mentorship that led to a full-tuition graduate opportunity in his lab. She accepted, completed her graduate degree, and went on to work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
These moments of connection, discovery, and opportunity happen again and again when students are given the chance to engage, present, and belong in the broader research community.
Your Support Fuels Possibility
Thank you for your #AxeofKindness. Your gift empowers students to ask questions, seek answers, and step into spaces where they can grow as scholars and professionals. It ensures that opportunity is not limited by financial barriers. Every gift—of every size—helps create pathways for students to discover their potential and connect with opportunities that can shape their futures.
Thank you for investing in the next generation of researchers, innovators, and leaders at NAU!
