Research Grants

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)

The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) is a competitive grant program managed by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities. UROP awards support original student-driven research, creative, and other scholarly activities under the mentorship of a CU Denver | Anschutz faculty mentor. Full grants of up to $1200/student are awarded each spring. Mini grants of $500 are awarded each fall.

2020-2021 Grant Deadlines

Spring Full Grant Deadline: Friday, March 5, 2021, 5:00 p.m.

Professional Development Funds: Friday, April 16, 2021 

Fall Mini Grant Deadline: Re-opening in Fall 2021

Types of Projects

UROP supports projects across all fields of study and we love to see creative approaches to understanding everyday problems. Recently funded projects include:

  • Analyzing the effects of common pesticides on Japanese beetles and bees in the Denver metro area
  • Understanding how the use of anthropomorphism, the assignment of human characteristics to animals, creates more impactful storybooks
  • Designing a high-speed, vacuum-compatible electric vehicle to take part in the 2019 SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition

Want more ideas? Visit the Grant Project Archive or Virtual RaCAS to see what other types of research undergraduates are engaged in at CU Denver | Anschutz.

Getting Started

Book an appointment with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities to talk through your project ideas, brainstorm how to find a mentor, and more!

*NEW PROGRAM* UROP Professional Development Funds

We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of UROP Professional Development Funds to support undergraduate attendance at virtual conferences and workshops during the 2020-2021 academic year. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from November 16, 2020 - April 16, 2021 or until the funding pool is exhausted. Students can request up to $400 to cover the cost of attendance at virtual events that will aid in their exploration of research and creative activities. All awarded funds must be spent by April 30, 2021 (no exceptions).


Funding decisions will be provided to the student and faculty sponsor within two weeks of submission and funds will become available shortly thereafter. Questions? Contact undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu