The University of Tennessee would like to recognize students who participate in undergraduate research and fellowships programs/experiences. Through the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, students may apply to receive a cord or the cord & medallion to be worn during graduation.

There are two levels of recognition:

• Excellence in Undergraduate Research and Fellowships – receives a cord
• Distinction in Undergraduate Research and Fellowships – receives a medallion & cord

If you have any questions on your application or criteria met, please feel free to reach out to urf@utk.edu or request a 1-on-1 research advising appointment.

Three items from either list will qualify you for the Excellence in Undergraduate Research cord. Starred items are repeatable through multiple event participation.

Excellence in Undergraduate Research & Fellowships

• Discovery Day – Presenter*
• EURēCA or ASUReS – Presenter*
• Annual Student Art Competition – Participant*
• Celebration of Excellence Music Competition – Participant*
• DRA (Departmental Research Assistantship) – Recipient
• FRAF (Faculty Research Assistants Funding) – Recipient*
• SURGE (Summer Undergraduate Research Group Experience) – Participant*
• AURA (Advanced Undergraduate Research Activity) – Recipient*
• URSA (Undergraduate Research Students’ Association) – Symposium Presenter*
• URSA (Undergraduate Research Students’ Association) – Leadership Position
• Nationally Competitive Fellowship – Applicant*
• Pursuit Journal of Undergraduate Research – Reviewer
• Pursuit Journal of Undergraduate Research – Leadership Position
• TEDxUTK – Leadership Position
• Completion of Honors or Senior Thesis (or planned completion by graduation date)
• ORNL Research Internship*
• UTK discipline specific conference presentation of your research

Two additional items from the list below (after obtaining the level of Excellence) will qualify you for a Distinction in Undergraduate Research medallion. Starred items are repeatable through multiple event participation.

Distinction in Undergraduate Research & Fellowships

• Chancellor’s Award for Undergraduate Researcher of the Year – Recipient
• EURēCA or ASUReS – Award Winner
• Annual Student Art Competition – Award Winner
• Celebration of Excellence Music Competition – Award Winner
• Research Abroad (minimum of 8 weeks)
• Pursuit Journal of Undergraduate Research – Author*
• Nationally Competitive Fellowship – Recipient*
• NSF REU (Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates)
• NIH REU (Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates)
• NCUR Presenter*
• Posters at the Capitol (Nashville) – Presenter
• Posters on the Hill (D.C.) – Presenter
• Research Abroad (minimum of 8 weeks)
• Peer Reviewed Publication – Author*
• Non-UTK discipline specific conference for your research – Presenter*
• Off-Campus (non-UTK) Research & non-UTK related experience (excluding ORNL, min 8 weeks) – Participant*

Complete the form below to submit your request to receive the cord or the cord & medallion.

You must provide documentation (for example: award or acceptance letters, links to publications, screenshots, etc.) for each qualifying activity so that we can verify your eligibility in a timely manner. Please upload a single pdf that includes all of the documentation for your activities.
Criteria must be completed by the application date to be valid. To allow for verification time and ordering of materials, applications received after the deadlines posted may not be awarded the cord or medallion in time for commencement ceremonies.

Applicants will receive an email after the deadline with further pickup instructions. The verification window will occur after the application deadline but may occur sooner if applications are submitted earlier than the deadline. Additional information may be requested if needed.