Information for Students
Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) is a new program at IUB supported by our office of Undergraduate Research, but it is part of a nationally recognized consortium! VIPs are faculty-led experiences that extend over multiple semesters and bring together teams of students from a wide range of disciplines. Graduate students and upper-class undergrads mentor new team members to advance research or another project based in the faculty member’s area of expertise.
Why join a VIP team:
By having the opportunity to be part of a team for at least 2 semesters, or even years, students can develop real expertise and sustained relationships with mentors and peers. VIP gives you hands-on research experience that goes beyond the classroom –– working on real-world problems alongside peers from different majors helping build the cross-disciplinary skills that employers seek.
What VIP students do:
- Attend weekly meetings (scheduled times), complete independent work, report on progress, and identity tasks for the coming week
- Contribute to innovative research and project-based work alongside undergraduate and graduate peers
- Document work for grading, research teams, intellectual property, and personal portfolios
Joining a VIP team
VIP soft launched in Spring 2026, with 5 current teams. We plan to add 5 more teams in Fall 2026, and we’re currently inviting applications to join a team.
Application Process
We don’t require a GPA or resume, you just have to be in good academic standing. It’s also ok if you don’t have prior undergraduate research experience! Some teams may be involved in more traditional academic research, while many others may be applied, with connections to industry or the community.
The application asks for basic info, like your major and other relevant skills, as well as a 350 character statement of interest explaining why you want to join either an existing VIP team or the program in general. If you don’t have a specific team in mind, briefly share your academic and career interests.
The Fall 2026 deadline has passed. If you weren’t placed on a team this cycle, we encourage you to check back for Spring 2027 and beyond as we continue to grow the program.