The purpose of this study is to investigate how a virtual mentored research program, the National Summer Undergraduate Research Project (NSURP), affects sense of belonging among underserved students in science fields. Examining the effects of virtual research programs can contribute to the body of research on ways to instill sense of belonging among underserved students, which can then increase the likelihood of their intentions to persist, and on strategies to support marginalized students and ultimately transform STEM fields into a diverse and equitable landscape. Using a mixed methods design, data were collected from racially minoritized students (N = 41) who participated in NSURP in summer 2023 through pre- and post-program surveys that included items on sense of belonging and through semi-structured interviews. Results from a paired-samples t-test and analysis of variance showed that students had an increase in sense of belonging following their participation in NSURP, with the increase being higher among first-generation students. However, these results were not statistically significant. Nonetheless, results from the interviews indicated that virtual research programs have the potential to inculcate sense of belonging by giving students representation and expanding their knowledge and skills. The results also indicated the importance of understanding the intersection of identities and how it impacts students’ experiences. Implications for practice, limitations of the study, and recommendations for future research are discussed
