Freshman Research Initiative (FRI)
Want to feel what it’s like to be a professional scientist? Have your world rocked by the thrill of discovery? At UT Austin, nearly half of all brand new undergraduates in the College of Natural Sciences have that opportunity.
Many participate in our Freshman Research Initiative and its 30+ dedicated “research streams.” They conduct real-world scientific research in faculty-led labs, publish new knowledge, present their work and make discoveries.
What FRI Provides
- Life-changing experiences. You’ll work at the cutting edge of modern science with the latest equipment and technology and contribute to new knowledge in areas like artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and biochemistry.
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Course credit: Research in FRI counts towards your degree.
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Friendships and connections: Students forge relationships in their research streams that last through their college career, and many become mentors to newer students after their own first years.
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A leg up: Graduate schools and employers value the FRI experience. Our students do, too, with the persistence in STEM and knowledge that comes from seeing what research is like early on.
Not Just for Freshmen
Sophomores, juniors and transfer students can participate in a program similar to FRI: the Accelerated Research Initiative. What’s more, staff in the College Office of Experiential Learning are here to help match students with the right faculty lab, so you can get the most out of undergraduate research at any stage.
Inventors Program
Students connect with real-world research opportunities beyond our faculty labs in the Inventors Program. Private companies, public organizations and nonprofit or community-based partners present problems for STEM students to solve over the course of a semester or year. You’ll learn to take a new product to market, build skills and get course credit for solving real challenges with a team.
Explore Other Research Opportunities
There are so many ways to engage in research during your college experience. Check out more resources below about how to get research experience at UT and beyond.