UR2PhD
Undergraduate Research to PhD Mentoring Program at the University of Southern Mississippi.
What is UR2PhD?
UR2PhD is a program by the Computing Research Association (CRA) that helps students gain research experience early and prepares them for PhD studies in computing fields.
Program goals
- 01Prepare undergraduate students for research
- 02Increase interest in graduate (PhD) studies
- 03Build strong research and mentoring skills
- 04Expand access to research opportunities
How the program works
- Online live (synchronous) sessions led by CRA
- Students work in teams of 2 to 4 on research projects
- Guided by faculty and graduate mentors
- Focus on practical research skills
Who it is for
Undergraduates
- Learn how to read and write research papers
- Work on a real research project in a team
- Improve presentation and communication skills
- Connect with mentors and researchers
- Become eligible for funding opportunities
Graduate students
- Learn how to mentor undergraduate students
- Develop leadership and communication skills
- Gain formal training in research mentorship
- Receive a $1,000 stipend (if requirements are met)
- Continuing mentors may receive an additional award of up to $250.
Faculty members
- Save time training students on research basics
- Work with better-prepared students
- Build stronger research teams
- Research funding up to $4,000
Funding opportunities
- Undergraduate research Up to $8,000
- Conference travel Up to $2,000
- Graduate mentor stipend $1,000
- Faculty research Up to $4,000
Sessions
Live online (synchronous) sessions.
- Undergraduates
- Twice a week
- Graduate students
- Once a week
Why join?
- Students become research-ready early
- Less time spent teaching the basics
- A strong pipeline to PhD programs
How to apply
If you are an active and motivated student interested in UR2PhD, complete the undergraduate or graduate form and email it to Dr. Abdelfattah with the subject line UR2PhD_YourName.
Participants
Summer 2026 cohort · 23 students
- Malik Hassan Ahmad
- Abdullah Ahmed
- Ammar Ahmed
- Hammad Ahmed
- Suramya Angdembay
- Dikshant Aryal
- Samir Bhattarai
- Bishesta Bohara
- Sujjal Chapagain
- Hossam (Hosameldin) Darwish
- Rashika Karmacharya
- Manish Katel
- Barsat Khadka
- Viktoriia Lavrentiv
- Nhoojah Maharjan
- Munteeq Manzoor
- Aayush Marasini
- Kavya Pokharel
- Atabay Rajabli
- Meerab Rashid
- Muhammad Sabih Ul Hussnain
- Sakshyam Sigdel
- Abdelrahman Teima