Program information

Students in Dartmouth ERAS are matched with faculty mentors in the sciences for part-time paid research experiences.

What is Dartmouth ERAS?

Program mission

The goal of Dartmouth ERAS (Early Research Access in the Sciences) is to provide faculty-mentored research experiences in the sciences to first-year students. Those who have not yet had access to research opportunities outside of the classroom are particularly encouraged to apply. Students arrive at Dartmouth with varying levels of preparation in math and the sciences, and early hands-on research experiences with faculty mentors are an effective way to prepare students for success in the sciences.

Encouraging exploration

Students are encouraged to go outside of their comfort zone and consider a broad range of research projects. They may enter Dartmouth with an interest in a particular topic or field but then discover a new passion through an early research experience. Many first-year students will enter the program with minimal background or preparation. This will be a learning experience for them, so faculty should be prepared to provide guidance and mentoring.

Matching process

In this program, students are matched with faculty mentors by program staff.

  • Students and faculty who arrange research experiences outside of the matching process are not eligible for Dartmouth ERAS. If they set up a research agreement outside of the matching process, it is not eligible for funding through this program.
  • Matches are based on a variety of factors including but not limited to student and faculty preferences.
  • The program is intended to introduce students to research in the sciences. Students are not expected to have prior research experience.

Program information

Students engage in the research part-time during winter and spring terms.

  • Students devote 6-10 hours per week to the research for each of the two terms, up to a maximum of 100 hours per term. 
  • Students are required to be on campus and enrolled in classes for both terms of the internship.
  • Students submit biweekly time sheets and are paid hourly wages consistent with the College's student minimum wage. 
  • These internships do count toward work-study requirements. 
  • The nature of the work will vary depending on the project.

Students should think carefully about their coursework and extracurriculars in deciding whether they have the time to devote to the program. 

Eligibility and selection criteria

This is a competitive program; eligibility and priorities for funding are as follows:

  • Only first year students are eligible to participate. 
  • Students may not participate in Dartmouth ERAS if they are participating in another Dartmouth-funded research program during their first year (e.g. EE Just-DALI internship, URAD, FROiC).
  • Only students who engage in the interview process and are matched with faculty mentors by program staff are eligible for funding.
  • Students must be eligible to work in the US and must complete the I-9 employment verification process prior to the start of the internship.
  • Students who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents must ensure that they are eligible to receive wages from Dartmouth. Questions about eligibility should be directed to the Office of Visa & Immigration Services PRIOR to the interview and matching process.

Additional notes:

  • Students who have not had previous opportunities to engage in science research outside of the classroom are especially encouraged to apply.
  • Students who do not apply or are not matched in Dartmouth ERAS can consider other research programs for first-year students.
  • Be sure to also review the general eligibility guidelines for all SURFD programs.

Research experiences

Early hands-on research experiences are a great way for students to immerse themselves in scientific inquiry and to get to know faculty, graduate students and other undergraduates.

First-year programs in the sciences include:

After the first year, undergraduates can apply to SURFD's other research programs, in any discipline.

And consider joining DURA (Dartmouth Undergraduate Research Association) to connect with other undergraduates pursuing research!