"Characteristics of Excellence in Undergraduate Research" ("COEUR") is based on the collective experience, over many years, of Council on Undergraduate Research members who have engaged undergraduate students in research, developed undergraduate research programs, mentored new faculty to include undergraduate research in their teaching repertoire, and coached institutions in the development of undergraduate research programs. Several undergraduate research experts have contributed essays to this publication that illuminate how "COEUR" can be used by departments, colleges, and universities to evaluate undergraduate research programs. Roger Rowlett, Linda Blockus, and Susan Larson have drawn on an extensive knowledge base to design an instrument to assist institutions to self-assess the maturity of their undergraduate research programs. [This report was produced by the Council of Undergraduate Research.]