Salient Features of Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Fellows

Prospective Fellows must be enrolled and in good standing with the Honors College. Any full-time TTU or TTUHSC faculty member is eligible to be a Mentor
Students and faculty from any discipline are eligible to apply for the URF program. However, the Honors College reserves the right to limit the number of Fellows per college, department, or mentor.
The Fellowship season begins in mid-September and generally end after the spring annual Undergraduate Research Conference. Summer extensions may be awarded to students who performed well in the program throughout the school year.
Fellows and faculty mentors must be on the Lubbock campus for both the fall and spring semesters.
Depending on availability, funds for conference travel may be awarded. Check with URF Coordinator.
Fellows are not guaranteed continued funding after one season, but they can apply for additional funding.
In addition, the following guidelines are in effect for all fellows:
- Earn an hourly stipend and may not be paid for than 20 hours per week.
- Maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.25 or better and be enrolled for 12 credit hours in both fall and spring semesters.
- May not simultaneously receive course credit and URF funds for the same research.
- Covered by worker’s compensation in the event of a job-related injury, but are not eligible for paid vacation or University benefits such as health insurance.

Submit accurate timesheets to meet payroll deadlines. A timesheet is a legal document and subject to audit.
Participate in TTU Undergraduate Research Conference held each spring semester by presenting their research in either a poster or paper presentation, whichever is appropriate to their field.
Engage in research, not routine tasks such as cleaning lab equipment or filing.

While it is recognized that research experiences will have some routine elements, faculty mentors do not ask Fellows to engage in primarily “go-fer” work or housekeeping tasks, such as cleaning lab equipment or filing.
Faculty mentors must provide appropriate safety and responsible conduct in research training for the field.
Mentors are asked to verify all hours worked by their Fellows and help meet timesheet deadlines.
Faculty Mentors receiving grant money for their research are asked to supply one-half of the funding for their student Fellows.
The Fellowship provides an hourly wage to the Fellow; faculty mentors should provide money for any extraneous costs, such as research supplies or equipment.

Fellows working in the summer do not need to be enrolled in classes and may not work more than 20 hours per week
Only current Fellows may apply for Fellowship funds for summer work, after completing one Fellowship season (runs from mid-September to Undergraduate Research Conference).
All summer research occurs on the TTU campus and Mentors must provide guidance and supervision. Maximum time of the fellowship is first day of class of Summer I to last day of class of Summer II.
In general, fellows are not allowed to continue research during the winter break. Written appeals justifying the need to work must be received by the URF Coordinator during the first week of December for consideration.