Undergraduate research is widely recognized as a High-Impact Practice (HIP).  Most academic professionals cite research and teaching experiences during their undergraduate years as pivotal to their career development. However, accessing these experiential opportunities can be challenging.

The UMass PROPEL program, through its dedicated platform, promotes equitable access to academic, research, teaching, and experiential learning opportunities for all undergraduate students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, regardless of background.

The PROPEL platform streamlines the process by allowing Research Mentors to post positions during five scheduled rounds each year. Students can log in, explore available opportunities, and submit applications, while mentors benefit from reviewing candidates from a larger, more diverse pool. This structured approach increases transparency, broadens awareness of opportunities, and simplifies the application process for students.