Student Research
Nothing beats real world experience. With a student-faculty ratio of 9:1, students work closely with faculty on exploring research opportunities in the lab, the local community and around the world. Many schools have funding programs to support student research so that research experience is accessible for all.
Research Opportunities & Scholarships
The chance to practice high-level scholarly inquiry is at your fingertips. Take advantage of a wide range of centers and scholarships that can propel you forward.
Using Your Education to Solve Problems
Being enrolled at USC comes with beyond-the-classroom learning opportunities, such as improving the well-being of our immediate community, addressing questions with national and global implications, and much more.
Student Research News
Take a peek at just a few standout examples of students taking their inquiry out into the real world.
USC Leonard Davis faculty member receives Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star in Aging Research award
The American Federation for Aging Research recognized Bérénice Benayoun for her research.
Fluoride exposure during pregnancy linked to increased risk of childhood neurobehavioral problems
USC researchers conducted the first U.S.-based study examining the link between prenatal fluoride and childhood social, emotional and behavioral functioning.
A new ‘rule of biology’ may have come to light, expanding insight into evolution and aging
Living things usually prefer stability to conserve energy and resources, but instability might also play a vital role, USC Dornsife molecular biologist John Tower says.
U.S. schools are not racially integrated, despite decades of effort
May 17 marks the 70th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional. To learn how things have changed — and haven’t — read this piece USC Rossier Dean Pedro Noguera wrote in 2022.
Graduating engineer’s seeks solutions for global water challenges
COMMENCEMENT: Ana Luiza Behisnelian is using her environmental engineering degree to take on the mission of protecting one of our planet’s most important resources.
Detecting influence campaigns on social media with AI and network science
USC researcher Luca Luceri is co-leading an effort to identify and characterize influence campaigns on social media.
Jazz innovator named USC Thornton artist-in-residence
Acclaimed jazz pianist/composer Gerald Clayton returns to his alma mater as a role model for the next generation.
USC researcher discovers drug that may delay onset of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and treat hydrocephalus
Young-Kwon Hong and his team have developed a drug that can help clear fluid and cellular debris from the brain.
Voters underutilizing free tool to track status of vote-by-mail ballots, USC report finds
Less than one-third of voters used the free BallotTrax tracking tool in 2022, USC Price’s Center for Inclusive Democracy says.
How can we make AI more humanlike — and how far should we go?
Researchers at USC’s Information Sciences Institute are exploring the possibilities of creating chatbots that are more conversational and humanlike.
USC Bridge Institute
A launchpad for projects combining diverse disciplines in science, engineering, medicine and the arts, Bridge Institute leverages the strengths of diverse experts to act as a connector that trains fearless researchers, supports convergence and empowers collaborative problem-solving.
Opportunities for Graduate Students
Opportunities for Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate research is a key part of the complex, robust research ecosystem that makes up USC. Take a look at just some of the many funding opportunities you can explore.
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Various schools and divisions offer funding for fields of research that fall under their disciplines.
- USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
- USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
- USC Sol Price School of Public Policy
- USC Viterbi School of Engineering
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The USC Bridge Institute is training the next generation of students to explore across scientific disciplines and connect with the arts to understand science in a deeper way. Learn more.
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MMUF is a partnership between the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and USC’s Office of the Provost to identify, support and mentor highly qualified underrepresented undergraduate students and other students interested in diversifying fields of study in higher education. Learn more.
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Founded to increase the number of women in faculty positions and increase the representation of women in science and engineering, WiSE gives upper-level undergraduate women first-hand experience in laboratory-based research and other programs. Learn more.
Tech4Good Opportunities
Students also lead their own initiatives to better the world. There are several Tech4Good organizations that allow students to engage with issues that matter to them: Code the Change, Shift SC, and CAIS++.
Shift SC is USC’s student-led platform for human-centered and socially responsible technology. Students who participate are focused on interdisciplinary conversation and action around the social implications and ethical issues of tech.