Boston College established the Undergraduate Research Fellows Program for the purpose of enhancing the academic experience of undergraduates by cultivating their research skills and fostering mentor relationships between undergraduates and faculty. The program provides a grant to pay for a student's research assistance for a faculty member's research project. It is considered student employment and the student may work up to 20 hours a week during the academic semester, up to 40 hours a week during semester breaks or the summer, depending on faculty need and student availability. Students may not receive academic credit for work done under an Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

The formal application for an Undergraduate Research Fellowship must come from the faculty member whose research project the student will assist. Application information and instructions may be obtained from the Boston College Campus Coordinator for the Undergraduate Research Fellowships, or from the Departmental Fellowships Sponsor in the student's department. Faculty interested in guiding an Undergraduate Research Fellow are urged to discuss their project and prospective student assistants with the Departmental Fellowships Sponsor. Applications are reviewed and funded three times a year, for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Information on the application process and deadlines can be found at the Undergraduate Research Fellowship website.

Even though the formal application for an Undergraduate Research Fellowship must be submitted by a faculty member, students interested in this opportunity should take the initiative in identifying a faculty member with whom they would like to work, whose research would interest them, and where assisting in such research would enhance their own academic experience. First, they should contact the Departmental Fellowships Sponsor in their department, to discuss the opportunity and to let the Sponsor know of their interest. The Sponsor may be able to guide the student to appropriate faculty members. Second, students should discuss their interest with their academic advisor in their department, and with any other faculty member whose area of academic focus or research are of interest to the student.