91ÉçÇø

Research for everyone

At 91ÉçÇø, we believe scientific research should be for everyone, which is why we developed a program for students who have no experience to those with extensive research backgrounds. From day one, you'll become part of a collaborative community of first-year researchers investigating critical social, environmental, technological, and health challenges to impact people in your community, around the country, and throughout the world.

How can FRI impact you?

• Academic Credit

  In this three-semester program, you will earn 10 credits toward your degree while conducting research. You’ll take a Research Methods seminar (FRI Semester 1) in the fall of the first year, which is followed by two Research Stream courses (FRI Semester 2 & 3) on the concepts and theory related to a discipline. In the Research Stream courses, you will learn research techniques, acquire background on a research question, and follow through on the initial phases of a research problem. Your FRI courses count for multiple general-education, major and minor requirements. 

• Community

  In a small cohort size, you’ll become part of a close-knit community where friendships forge long-term bonds through shared exploration, making your first year both socially engaging and academically meaningful.

• Collaboration

  In research teams of 5-7 students, you’ll collaborate with like-minded students who share your interests in a research topic and work with other experts in the field, such as faculty members, international scholars, and community members.

• Mentorship

  Guided by a strong culture of mentoring, you will experience supportive relationships from prior FRI students and a research educator to guide you in your research. In addition, the FRI team will provide you with personal and professional advice on a range of topics, including course selection, research opportunities, career development, and extracurricular activities.

• Research Skills

  With research-grade equipment and software, you’ll learn cutting-edge methods and techniques used in numerous disciplines.

• Career Skills

  With our tailored curriculum to help you achieve your career goals, you'll develop key skills such as critical thinking, oral and written communication, and project management through a research experience.

• Discovery

  With countless local, national, and global problems to solve, you’ll work on interdisciplinary research teams to tackle social, environmental, technological, and health challenges and then disseminate findings among professionals to fuel innovation.

• Personal Impact

  With our transformative experiential approach to personalized learning, you’ll take ownership of your research experience and develop growth mindsets that lead to more reflective, resilient, confident, and independent scholarship. Your FRI experience will clarify self-direction and catalyze your future success.

• Networking

  By building connections with 91ÉçÇø professors, administrators, and staff members, you’ll find new opportunities, other research labs, related student groups, and other resources. Your FRI experience will lay the foundation for requesting valuable letters of recommendation, which are often required for scholarships, internships and graduate school applications.