Join RAP!
The UW- Whitewater Research Apprentice Program (RAP) is a wonderful opportunity for Freshman and Sophomore level students to get their feet wet in research and get paid for it! Our office offers research opportunities to all majors and areas of interest on campus, even the arts! Our program is a great way for students to improve upon and learn new skills in their area of interest. As a paid and flexible position on campus, you don't want to miss out on RAP.
Watch the video below as the former Undergraduate Research Program's Director, Ana Caballero Mengibar, and the former Research Apprentice Program's Coordinator, Mike Unhoch, share what RAP is and why freshmen, sophomores, and first-year transfer students should consider joining the program during their time at UW-Whitewater.
RAP Student Application- Academic year 2024-2025 (Deadline September 13, 2024)
The Research Apprentice Program (RAP) provides eligible students with a paid research opportunity to assist a faculty mentor with a research project for an hourly wage up to 125 hours per academic year. Due to limited resources, spaces are limited, applications close on Friday, September 13th, 2024. Students can apply with a particular faculty/staff member in mind or the Undergraduate Research Program staff will attempt to match students and mentors with similar research interests.
RAP Mentor Application- Academic year 2024-2025 (Deadline September 13, 2024)
If you are a faculty/staff member who is looking for research assistants, please click the link above to request student assistants. The link above is ONLY for mentors. Depending on your research needs, you can request up to 125 hours from your research assistants and we can pair you with students with comparable interests/availability. The URP/RAP office will consider all information given to match faculty with students whose academic interests align with the department of the project. Due to limited resources, spaces are limited and will be filled mostly on a first-come basis, however final decisions will be made by the URP team.
Eligibility
Eligible RAP Students:
- Priority will be given to student who have completed less than 72 credits
- Can be traditional, non-traditional, transfer, or international students
- Priority is given to students who are enrolled full-time on campus and are first degree seekers
Ineligible Students:
- Students who have previously participated in RAP
Application Review Process
Applications are reviewed by the Undergraduate Research Program staff.
- Students and mentors that have identified a preference to work together are matched first
- Student applicants who have not identified a mentor may be matched with a mentor of similar interest
- The Undergraduate Research Program staff will send the matched faculty or staff member and student information once they are matched
- Once the match is confirmed, the student and mentor will complete an online obligation form
- The student must attend an orientation meeting with the Undergraduate Research Program staff to complete hiring paperwork
- Once the paperwork is completed, students can begin logging hours with their mentor.
Funding Information
Student Hourly Wages:
- Students involved in RAP earn an hourly wage for up to 125 hours on the faculty-led research project for one academic year
- Students can only work a total of 20 hours per week for all student hourly positions at UWW
- If the student does not use all 125 hours, they CANNOT carry over the hours into the following academic year
Mentor Research Expenses:
Permitted Expenditures:
- Mentors will be given money towards research supplies: $200 per student they mentor
- Materials for conducting the research project (software, equipment, supplies, etc.)
- Books
- Travel costs for conference presentations (RAP students are marked as co-presenters)
- Publication fees with RAP students as co-authors
- All materials purchased with RAP funds belong to the university. Request for purchases can be submitted here.
Requirements and Expectations
If awarded an apprenticeship, students must:
- Submit an obligation form
- Attend an orientation meeting
- Comply with UWW hourly student employee policies and procedures
- Complete a web survey at the end of the academic year
- If research involves human or animal subjects, the following CITI training courses must be completed
If awarded an apprentice, mentors must:
- Complete an obligation form
- Provide student(s) with mentorship throughout the research project
- Complete a web survey at the end of the academic year