Highway to Undergraduate Research in the Academic Year (HURAY)

About HURAY

HURAY is OURSD’s newest (and first of its kind) paid academic year undergraduate research and creative inquiry program. HURAY was created in spring 2023 and continues to provide funded research fellowships to eligible students with federal work-study funding and little to no prior research experience. HURAY fellows can be funded for up to one academic year (i.e., two consecutive semesters, fall-spring) at the discretion of OURSD and the student’s faculty research mentor. HURAY fellows also participate in OURSD’s Researcher Development Workshop Series and present their projects at the annual Meeting of the Minds research symposium each spring. 

The HURAY program supports students from all majors, departments, schools, and colleges across the university and requires no financial support from faculty research mentors. Unlike other OURSD programs, HURAY does not have a student-initiated application process (see “How it Works” below). The HURAY program begins annually at the start of the fall semester.

Program Structure

• Due to current funding limitations, HURAY can only fund one student per faculty member over two consecutive semesters (fall-spring). 
• The fellowships will provide funding at $12/hr for up to 135 hours each semester (270 hours over the course of the academic year).
• OURSD will provide a required orientation session in September to prepare students to get the most out of their research experiences, and will offer accompanying researcher development activities throughout the year. HURAY fellows are required to participate in these activities and will receive details on them once they have joined the program.

How it Works:

1. OURSD sends a call for projects to faculty during the spring and summer to solicit projects for the upcoming academic year.
2. OURSD contacts Federal Work-Study-eligible students with an invitation to express interest in HURAY.
3. After confirming eligibility, OURSD shares faculty project information with prospective HURAY students on a first come, first served basis.
4. Faculty receive inquiries from interested students, conduct interviews, and select their HURAY student at their discretion.
5. Selected fellows participate in OURSD’s registration and hiring process prior to, or at the start of, the fall semester.

Eligibility requirements for students who wish to apply for HURAY include:

• Currently enrolled Carnegie Mellon undergraduates in good academic standing who have already completed at least one semester as a full-time student at Carnegie Mellon
• At least $1296 of FWS funds to use towards HURAY during the academic year (check your financial aid award letter in SIO or contact The Hub if you are unsure about your available work-study funds)
• No prior participation in OURSD research programming (HURAY, SURA, SURG, SURF)
• Little to no prior experience with mentored research or creative inquiry outside of the classroom

HURAY Timeline and FAQs:

HURAY information for Faculty

HURAY information for Students

Please note: At this time, OURSD does not have the financial resources to offer HURAY fellowships to students who are not receiving sufficient federal work-study funding as part of their financial aid package. However, students who are ineligible for HURAY can still participate in research during the fall and spring semesters by finding a willing faculty research mentor and enrolling in independent study/research courses through their academic department. For more information about how to enroll in one of these courses, students should contact their academic advisor.