As Virginia's largest public research university by enrollment, we encourage all our students to add to the world's knowledge through their own research projects.
Graduate Student Research Opportunities
- The Mason Impact prepares students to tackle significant global questions and challenges and offers students opportunities to explore research and creative activities, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and global activities. Knowing what’s available will strengthen your ability to mentor students and connect them with meaningful experiences.
- Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR) provides funding opportunities for undergraduate students, faculty, and staff, OSCAR encourages and supports research collaboration, travel opportunities, and more for the Mason community.
- Global Education Office: Connecting students with the world is a priority for Mason. The Global Education Office facilitates the study abroad application and scholarship processes.
- Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: CIE, housed in the School of Business, supports students across programs and schools at Mason in their entrepreneurial endeavors and interests.
- Office of Fellowships: Learn how to apply for and win competitive national fellowships.
Resources for Developing your Research Skills:
University Libraries
Mason's University Libraries offer a wealth of support for graduate-level research, from subject area librarians, online guides, and databases, to workshops and writing spaces that can be reserved.
- The library's Digital Scholarship Center (DiSC) provides assistance for digital research: finding and using statistical, geospatial, and qualitative data; digital project planning; tech-rich labs; consultations and training workshops.
- Frequent workshops on data management, citation management, search strategies, GIS, etc. offered by University Libraries [fix this] GRADReCon (Graduate Research Connections): a day of research skill-related workshops (cosponsored by Grad Life [internal link] and University Libraries; held fall semester)
- SP@RC at Fenwick Library (2nd floor) has support around producing digital and print research presentation materials (e.g., posters, videos)
- Subject Librarians are available for one-on-one consultations (including accessing public and managing personal research databases) through University Libraries
Office of Research Integrity and Assurance (ORIA)
This office provides resources to promote the ethical and responsible conduct of research. Prior to beginning research with human or animal subjects, you must submit applications to the Institutional Review Board or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, both of which are managed by ORIA. You can anonymously report a concern.
Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)
This office supports external funding for research by providing pre-award guidance on proposal submissions and budget development. The office also provides post-award contract review and coordination of funding disbursement. Some graduate-level grant and fellowship applications must be submitted and/or disbursed through OSP. The Office of Graduate Fellowships provides guidance in determining if your proposal requires OSP processing either pre- or post-award.