CRA Announces $2M in New Funding to Extend and Expand the UR2PhD Program
By Erik Russell, CRA Director of Educational Initiatives
The Computing Research Association (CRA) is excited to announce $2 million in new funding to extend and expand the UR2PhD Program through 2026, a critical initiative aimed at increasing student interest in computing research that leads to the pursuit of a PhD. This support from Google.org, the company’s philanthropy, will enable a range of new initiatives designed to sustain and deepen engagement with undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty mentors, and the broader computing research community.
Launched in 2023, the UR2PhD Program has already begun establishing itself as a transformative force in preparing undergraduate students for research careers and pathways to PhD programs in computing. With this new funding, the program will launch two key initiatives to further its mission:
New REU Funding Opportunities
The additional funding will support a number of Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) opportunities for students who have successfully completed the UR2PhD Undergraduate Research Training Course. This initiative will provide financial support for students to engage in faculty-mentored research, further enhancing their skills, confidence, and competitiveness for graduate study. By bridging the gap between training and research experience, this funding aims to sustain students’ enthusiasm and commitment to research careers.
Undergraduate Mentoring Workshop and Research Showcase
In 2026, the UR2PhD Program will host its first Undergraduate Mentoring Workshop and Research Showcase, bringing together undergraduate researchers, their mentors, and leaders in the field. This in-person event will provide a unique platform for students to present their work, build professional networks, and receive tailored mentoring on research practices and pathways to graduate school. This new initiative reflects CRA’s commitment to fostering a community of support for students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in computing.
These new efforts align with the UR2PhD Program’s mission of broadening participation in computing and ensuring undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty mentors, and universities and colleges have the resources and support they need to sustain student interest in research.
“We are deeply grateful for this generous support, which allows us to expand our efforts to increase the pipeline of future computing researchers,” said Kelly Shaw, one of the UR2PhD Program Leaders. “These initiatives will help us engage students more deeply, sustain their momentum, and provide invaluable mentoring and community-building opportunities.”
The UR2PhD Program looks forward to sharing more updates as these initiatives take shape. For more information about the program and how to get involved, visit cra.org/ur2phd.
This announcement underscores CRA’s unwavering commitment to advancing computing research. With this new funding, the UR2PhD Program is poised to have an even greater impact on shaping the future of the field.
