OURA connects undergraduate students to research and artistry opportunities, where students can participate in a mentored investigation or creative inquiry that seeks to make a scholarly or artistic contribution to knowledge.

Research is a systematic investigation that contributes original intellectual developments to a discipline. While often associated with STEM fields and lab work leading to new understandings or technologies, research also encompasses designing and analyzing surveys to understand financial markets or social viewpoints, as well as interpreting texts or historical events from new perspectives.

Artistry is a creative contribution aimed at deepening the understanding of self and the human experience. It involves synthesizing coursework or independent investigations into a final product that engages the imagination and emotions of the audience. Artistic projects can be distributed in print or through visual, auditory, or other sensory means.