Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge (TURC) - University of Tulsa
Research

Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge (TURC)

Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge (TURC) is an innovative program that enables undergraduates to conduct advanced research with the guidance of top TU professors.

TURC was founded in 1992 to encourage and support undergraduate students who engage in innovative research projects while also devoting substantial time toward serving the community. Its aim is to create leaders in scholarship, research, and public life through an emphasis on undergraduate research and community involvement.

TURC incorporates research, publication and community service — essential elements to create future leaders.

  • What is TURC?

    TURC offers talented undergraduate students:

    • The opportunity to conduct significant scholarly research while working side-by-side with faculty mentors
    • Challenging coursework, including graduate-level courses
    • Opportunities for innovative service to the community
  • Why is TURC important?

    TURC incorporates research, publication and community service — essential elements to create future leaders. TURC also advances TU’s academic mission and enhances its national reputation. In addition to winning national scholarships, TURC students present papers at conferences, write articles that are published in academic journals, and initiate service projects with a broad and meaningful impact on the community.

  • Application process

    Students may apply for TURC Team Projects or for Student-Led TURC Projects. In both cases, the first step is to secure the sponsorship of a faculty mentor. Students may only submit one application per year. Within one year, students may be funded only for a summer or for the academic year, but not for both. The TURC year runs from May through April.

    Please click on the menu in the upper left-hand corner for more information about these two types of projects and the application process.

    A directory of TURC Team projects that are seeking undergraduate co-investigators/creators will be posted on the TURC web pages by January 10, 2024.

    Interested students should email a letter of interest to the faculty leader of the project by Feb. 10, 2024. If the professor conveys willingness to sponsor their application, the student should then submit an application to the portal. The portal will be available on this web page by Feb. 10, 2024. The deadline for applications to the portal is March 1, 2024.

    Current TURC Scholars are eligible to apply for a renewal of funding on the same project, or apply for admission to another project, if they can demonstrate measurable outcomes for the preceding year’s work.

  • How to support TURC scholars

    You can help TU students gain hand-on research experience. Learn more.

  • Contact TURC

    Questions about TURC?

    Please email any questions to TURC Faculty Fellow Laura M. Stevens, Ph.D., at laura-stevens@utulsa.edu.

    TURC Faculty Fellow

    Read a welcome note from Professor Stevens, TURC Faculty Fellow and Chapman Professor of English.