As a major research university, UNH provides all students with the unique and valuable opportunity to conduct research during their undergraduate years.
UNH's Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research provides the resources and financial support for the research, scholarly and creative projects of UNH students. Whether it's investigating moose habitat, examining the effects of the European monetary union, or composing music for a dance concert, each year students from all fields of study receive grants to embark on their own explorations.
Learn about the programs. Meet some of our students. Read about the research other students have done. Then find out how to start a project of your own.
Mission
As a major research institute, the University of New Hampshire strives to ensure all students have the opportunity to engage in research in their undergraduate years.
The Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research exists solely to support this mission. Since its inception in 1987, the Center has funded and administered awards and fellowships to support over 3500 students in their pursuit of research, scholarly, and creative projects. Today, students in all academic disciplines engage in inquiry-based projects in labs, museums, fields, forests, international cities, and remote corners of the world.
Our History
In 1987, the University of New Hampshire had the foresight to establish the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). From the outset, UROP was a university-wide program. In 1997, UROP received a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to create the International Research Opportunities Program (IROP), a first-in-the-nation program enabling students to pursue advanced, independent research at sites throughout the world. In 2004, Inquiry, UNH’s online journal of undergraduate research, was launched. In 2006, thanks to a generous gift from Mr. Dana Hamel and family, the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research was dedicated to administer UROP, IROP and all future undergraduate research enhancement opportunities.
In 2010, the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research joined the national Council for Undergraduate Research (CUR). That same year, founding director of the Hamel Center, Donna Brown, received the Presidential Award of Excellence. In 2012, the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research celebrated its 25th anniversary.
- Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research Celebrates 25 Years
- Hamel Center: Passport to Opportunity
- Any Student. Any Place. Any Time.
Funding
The Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research has flourished through support from the UNH Classes of 1952, 1959, and 1962, the UNH Parents Association, and the generosity of private benefactors such as the Cogswell Benevolent Trust, the Rogers Family Foundation, Mrs. Elizabeth Knowles, Mrs. Patricia Bell, Mrs. Helen Hepler Clapp and family, Mrs. Dorothy P. O' Neil, Dr. Kenneth Manning, Mrs. Patricia Flowers, and Mr. Dana Hamel.
Currently, 100% of the funding for undergraduate research awards and fellowships comes from donor gifts.
