Cold Email for Research Opportunities

Reaching Out to Faculty About Research

We get it—faculty can seem intimidating to approach! But here’s the secret: most faculty actually love working with undergraduate students on research. It's part of their job, and they genuinely enjoy mentoring students who are curious, motivated, and eager to learn.

Even if you've never met a professor before, it’s totally normal to email them—yes, even “cold email” them—to ask about research opportunities. Professors are used to this and often appreciate students taking the initiative.

What’s a Cold Email?

A cold email is when you reach out to someone you don’t know personally (yet!)—like a professor—about a specific opportunity. In this case, you’re expressing interest in their research and asking whether they might have space for an undergraduate to get involved.

You don’t need to have research experience already, and you don’t need to be an expert in their field. What matters most is that you:

• Show interest in their work,

• Introduce yourself clearly, and

• Respectfully ask about opportunities.

Don’t Know Where to Start? Try This Email Template:

Subject: Inquiry About Research Opportunities

Dear [Professor's Last Name],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am a [Your Year] student majoring in [Your Major] at [Your University]. I recently came across your research on [specific topic or paper], and I am very interested in learning more about your work in [broad research area].

I am eager to gain research experience and develop my skills in [relevant skills or interests]. I would love the opportunity to discuss whether there are any research opportunities in your lab/group and how I might contribute. If possible, I would appreciate the chance to meet and learn more about your ongoing projects.

Please let me know if you are available to chat or if there are any next steps I should take to explore this opportunity further. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your University]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]

Quick Tips for Success

• Do your homework: Read the professor’s recent papers, project pages, or lab website so you can mention something specific.

• Keep it brief: Aim for no more than 3–4 short paragraphs.

• Be professional but friendly: You're not applying for a job—you're starting a conversation.

• Proofread! Typos happen, but a clean email shows respect and care.

• Don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back right away. Follow up after a week or so, or try reaching out to another professor!