Fall 2025 Newsletter: Director’s Note

Aloha mai kākou, and welina mai to another new academic year at UH Mānoa. It is great to once again see our campus bustling with life and student activity after the lull of the Summer. I hope that everyone is newly arriving or returning to our campus from the Summer break refreshed and ready for the opportunities and challenges that await all of us over the coming academic year. UROP is excited to build on last year, which was a record year for interest in our programs and funding opportunities. In fact, it was such a great year in terms of student and mentor interest that we had to turn away a good number of deserving applications. As a result of this enhanced interest in our office, we are working to expand both the programming and funding available for our undergraduate students and mentors to engage in mentored research and creative work. For example, an award to UROP from the Tyler Center for Global Studies last year provided funding for an additional 6 students to conduct projects internationally, and we are optimistic that we will receive renewal funding for students to apply to in the Spring semester for international Summer projects. This is also the third and final year of current funding for the NSF-IRES Galápagos Summer research program (applications due October 15). Whether you are a student or a mentor interested in getting involved in UROP’s programs or just want more information, we encourage you to come to an upcoming information session, check out our online resources, or reach out via phone or email with questions or to arrange a meeting. ʻAʻako aku i ka hana!