ABSTRACT
The potential benefits of undergraduate research for both the individual student and the academic community have contributed to an increased commitment to such activities at the national level. Though not focused specifically on undergraduate research, the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) has played an indirect role in the advancement of undergraduate research at the national level, through its work in support of undergraduate honors programs. Such programs provide gifted and talented students with a variety of academic enrichment opportunities, which often include undergraduate research. Another association that has contributed significantly to the advancement of undergraduate research, within the context of a broader organizational mission, is the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). The Foundation's Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) program aims to promote faculty scholarship involving undergraduate students, to enhance the research culture of PUIs, and to promote the integration of teaching and research within such institutions.
