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How to Participate in Research at SFU
At SFU, research is a core part of the learning experience – and undergraduate students are part of that community. Students have opportunities to contribute to creating new knowledge, advancing understanding, and supporting discovery while they study.
Across disciplines, SFU researchers explore questions related to health, sustainability, technology, society, culture and innovation. Undergraduate students can participate in this work through course-based research projects, faculty-mentored studies, and funded research opportunities, developing critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while gaining hands-on experience.
$286
million research funds
What is undergraduate research?
Undergraduate research is any structured opportunity for students to explore a question, test an idea, create new knowledge, or produce a scholarly or creative outcome with the guidance of faculty, graduate mentors, research staff, or a research community.
Research can take many forms depending on the discipline. Students may contribute to projects, work with research teams, or conduct their own investigations as part of their studies.
Examples of undergraduate research activities include:
- Designing and running an experiment in a lab, field site, or studio
- Analyzing data to answer a real-world question
- Investigating historical or cultural topics using archival sources
- Building a prototype, tool, or model
- Developing and evaluating a community-based research project
- Producing a creative research outcome such as a performance, design, or media work
info Did you know?
Undergraduate students contribute meaningfully to research.
Many co-author presentations and publications with faculty and research teams.
60+
research centres and institutes
Ways to participate in research
Students at SFU can engage in research in several ways throughout their degree. Opportunities range from course-based research experiences to funded research roles and opportunities to share research with broader academic audiences.
Credit-Based Research
Earn academic credit while conducting research as part of your degree.
This may include:
- Courses with a research component
- Directed studies with a faculty supervisor
- Honours theses or capstone projects
These opportunities provide structured research experiences that are closely connected to a student’s academic program.
Best for: Students who want structured research tied directly to their academic program.
Research Assistant Positions
Students may work as research assistants on faculty-led projects, typically in paid roles.
In these positions, students may:
- Contribute to active research projects
- Build technical and transferable skills
- Gain mentorship and professional references
These roles often require relevant coursework or previous experience related to the research area.
Best for: students who want hands on research experience and mentorship while contributing to faculty led projects.
Undergraduate Student Research Awards
Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs) provide an opportunity for students to apply for competitive funding that supports undergraduate research.
Through these awards, students may:
- Assist in or conduct research
- Receive financial support
- Focus intensively on research over a set period
USRAs are excellent preparation for graduate studies or research-intensive careers.
Best for: Students who want intensive research experience and are considering graduate studies or research focused careers.
Showcase Your Research
Students can share their work with the university and broader academic community.
Opportunities to present or publish research may include:
- The Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Undergraduate research journals
- Faculty or departmental research symposia
Showcasing research helps students build communication skills, connect learning to meaningful real-world impact, and strengthen applications for graduate school and future careers.
Best for: Students who want to present their research, build communication skills, and strengthen their graduate school or career applications.
2,900
Average journal articles published annually by SFU researchers
40%
of SFU researchers published journal articles are in the world’s top 10% academic journals
info Did you know?
Research opportunities are open to students across all disciplines.
Research at SFU takes many forms – from scientific experiments and data analysis to creative practice, archival research, and community-based projects.
