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For Current Scholars

Acceptance is for ONE term of research. If you want to engage in research in subsequent terms, you will need to submit an application each term.

Getting Started

At the start of the research term (and preferably before the term begins), students and their faculty mentors should meet to discuss:

  • Work schedule: days/hours the student is expected to engage in the research
    • Students are expected to devote the equivalent time/effort to what they would for an academic class. That is estimated to be an average of 10 hours a week during a 10 week term (approximate total of 100 hours during the academic term).
  • Expectations: what the student is expected to accomplish during the term
  • Preparation: required trainings or certifications that the student may need to complete before starting the research
  • Meetings: schedule for the student and faculty mentor and/or other research supervisor to meet
    • This should be at least once a week and all or most of these meetings should be in person
  • Tracking: establish a document or system to track student time spent on the research and the tasks accomplished
    • The tracking document is important in confirming whether students have met the requirements of the program as students do not submit timesheets (students are not paid hourly wages).
    • This is particularly important for international students as these hours may be considered work by the U.S. government
  • Completion: You must complete the requirements of the term of research by the end of the academic term.
    • In most cases, this would be the last day of classes but can be extended to the last day of exams with permission from your faculty mentor and UGAR. No extensions will be granted beyond that.
    • If you have not completed the requirements at that point, you will be marked as withdrawn from the term.
    • Depending on your enrollment and D-plan, that may have implications for your ability to complete the program. You will be withdrawn from the program if you cannot complete both terms of the research assistantship during R terms of your junior year. 
  • Troubleshooting: what to do if the student has questions or difficulty with any of the research tasks or in identifying next steps in the project.
    • For students: it is your responsibility to let your faculty mentor and/or other research supervisor know when you have questions or need help with the research.
    • For faculty: it is your responsibility to provide adequate training and guidance as well as clear feedback about any problems or issues. 

End of term

At the end of the term, you will receive an email directing you to the student end of term confirmation and evaluation form. When you submit that form, it will generate an automated email to your faculty mentor directing them to the faculty end of term confirmation and evaluation form. Once BOTH of those forms have been submitted, stipends will be requested.

Click here for important information about stipend payments.

Research Video Competition

Consider submitting a 3 minute video about your research for a chance to win cash prizes! Short videos are a great way for you to share your research with the broader Dartmouth community. The MAD (Made At Dartmouth) Research Video Competition is jointly sponsored by UGAR and the Jones Media Center (JMC) in Baker-Berry Library. Check out the website for information about the competition and deadlines.

The Jones Media Center can help with your video by providing loaner equipment as well as tips and advice about shooting footage and editing your video.