Apply to participate in the Stern Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) for the Spring 2025 semester!
Founded in Spring 2012, the SPUR database connects you with world-renowned Stern faculty, providing a unique research opportunity outside of the classroom.
This experience will help sharpen your analytic skills and help you in your future studies and career. Besides being exposed to cutting edge research and working with individual faculty members, SPUR also allows you to explore potential career pathways in academia and gain an advantage when applying for graduate studies.
Over the years, several SPUR students have gone on to pursue research-related careers, having been accepted to PhD programs in Finance, Economics, Accounting, and Bio-Statistics at institutions such as Columbia, Chicago, MIT, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, and Yale.

 DEADLINE
All applications are due Thursday, January 30th at 9:00 AM EST
You must submit an application to the SPUR database in order to be selected and registered for a SPUR project. You will be notified within a few weeks following the deadline if you're selected for an opportunity.
View Opportunities & Apply!

 HOW TO APPLY
  • Log on to the database using your Stern username and password.

  • Browse the opportunities posted by Stern faculty. Apply for a position by selecting a research project of interest and submitting the appropriate information to the SPUR database.

  • If you are selected by a faculty member for a research opportunity, you will receive an e-mail notifying you of next steps on how to register for SPUR. Research projects need to be taken for course credit, and you must submit the appropriate paperwork in order to get registered.  

  • Even if you participated in SPUR in a prior semester and the faculty member has agreed to continue working with you, you must reapply and go through the registration process in order to receive course credit. 

  • SPUR credits will be counted as part of a student's 18 allowed credits per semester. Please see the important information below: 

    Students enrolled in 18 credits for the semester can participate in SPUR opportunities that are posted for 0 credits only.

    If a student wishes to petition to exceed 18 credits in order to apply for a SPUR project worth 1 or 2 credits, which will incur extra tuition, please refer to the process outlined on the Academic Policies page under Semester Course Loads

  • For any questions, contact uc.spur@stern.nyu.edu. 

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the criteria for acceptance?
Individual faculty members will have their own criteria for acceptance as it relates to their specific project. You can view pre-requisite requirements by clicking on individual research opportunities. However, if you do choose to apply, you should be ready and willing to participate in challenging, high-level academic research.
 
Can I sign up for more than one project per semester? 
No, you can only register for one project per semester. You can apply to as many research opportunities as you desire, but if you are selected for more than one project, you must choose only one in which to enroll.
 
How are SPUR projects graded?
Research projects can be 0-credit, 1.0-credit or 2.0-credit as indicated in the research posting. This opportunity is exactly like a graded course in the sense that students are expected to work hard and be challenged by the project. At the end of the project, you will receive a letter grade for your work from the faculty member, exactly like in a course.

Does SPUR count toward concentrations?
SPUR projects do not count towards concentrations. The grade will, however, appear on your transcript and factor into your GPA.
How does credit work for SPUR research projects?
SPUR credits will be counted as part of a student's 18 allowed credits per semester. Please see the important information below: 
Students enrolled in 18 credits for the semester can participate in SPUR opportunities that are posted for 0 credits only.

If a student wishes to petition to exceed 18 credits in order to apply for a SPUR project worth 1 or 2 credits, which will incur extra tuition, please refer to the process outlined on the Academic Policies page under Semester Course Loads
How do I register for SPUR if I get selected for a research opportunity?
Once you have been approved for a research opportunity by a faculty member, you will receive detailed instructions via email by the Stern SPUR Team on how to finish registering for SPUR. You must complete and submit the required paperwork in order to receive course credit and participate in SPUR.

Can I receive payment for participating in SPUR opportunities
No. You are not allowed to receive monetary payment of any kind for participating in SPUR opportunities. You receive academic course credit for your participation and should not be promised any form of payment. This includes those of you who participate in SPUR for zero-credit.

Can I participate in SPUR while studying away?
Students who are studying away at NYU London on a Student Visa may not participate in SPUR during their study away semester due to visa restrictions/government regulations. Students studying away at other global sites may participate in remote SPUR opportunities if they are enrolled in at least 12 credits of courses at their study away sites (remote/online courses do not count towards the 12 credit minimum requirement.)
Can I participate in SPUR while on a Leave of Absence (LOA)?
No, students on a Leave of Absence may not participate in SPUR, as LOA students are not eligible to enroll in courses while on leave.