Federal Research Updates: Please see Federal Research Updates 2025 for the latest updates on executive orders and policies impacting federally funded research.
Engaging Undergraduate Students in Mentored Research
Involving Undergraduate Students in Your Research
GW undergraduates can contribute in meaningful ways to faculty research. There are three primary avenues through which to engage an undergraduate student researcher:
- For-credit Research Internships and Independent Study: Students may receive up to four credits for their work on a faculty member’s research project. Eventually, students might pursue independent research projects on related topics.
- Research Assistantship: Students are paid an hourly wage for work as a research assistant, usually from the lab’s account. Note that paid administrative or housekeeping services performed for a lab do not qualify as undergraduate research.
- Noncredit Research Internships: The student works with a faculty mentor in their field of interest. Students may pursue unpaid internships to gain research training and experience as part of their education and prior to pursuing graduate school or a professional career. U.S. Law requires that an unpaid, uncredited internship must be primarily for the educational benefit of the student.
| Type of Position | Academic Credit? | Compensation? | Grant/ Stipend Eligible? | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For-credit Research Internships & Independent Study | Yes | Possible | Yes |
|
| Research Assistantships | Possible | Yes | Yes |
|
| Noncredit Research Internships | No | Possible | Yes |
|
Offering a Research Internship or Independent Study Project
To offer a research internship or independent study project, post the position details on GW Student Research Commons. You will be prompted to provide the educational benefit and confirm that a final project will be completed by the student.
To provide credit, the student must be enrolled in an undergraduate research course and must receive a grade for their participation.
Hiring an Undergraduate Research Assistant
Career Services at GW can assist you with hiring a student researcher. Most paid positions that are research-related will automatically appear on GW Student Research Commons.
The Federal Work Study (FWS) program is a great way to provide students with an opportunity to work with you, grow professionally, and earn funds that will help them support themselves. In the FWS program, campus employers are responsible for contributing only a portion of the wage for FWS-eligible students, currently only 25%, while funds allotted to GW via the Department of Education will cover the rest.
- Benefits of Hiring FWS Students (PDF)
- How to Get Started Hiring FWS Students
Recruiting Undergraduate Researchers
Once you’ve posted your position to GW Student Research Commons (for-credit or research internship) or through Career Services at GW (paid, including Federal Work Study positions), consider advertising your opportunity through your department or school listserv and/or recruiting talented students from your classes.
Time Commitment for Undergraduate Researchers
It is important to discuss a schedule with your undergraduate researcher and to ensure the researcher has adequate supervision and guidance during work hours. We typically suggest 10-15 hours per week for non-credit research, but some students work as few as five. Undergraduate researchers should not work more than 20 hours a week in order to preserve time for their studies and other activities.
Many faculty mentors incorporate a “trial” semester when taking on undergraduate students. This establishes a distinct time period during which expectations are set and evaluated and after which the faculty and the student can have a conversation about continued involvement. This trial period might involve an undergraduate shadowing a graduate student and/or technician, participating in journal clubs and literature searches, and/or learning basic procedures/protocols before transitioning to an increasingly independent role that both parties feel is appropriate.
Zero-Credit UG Research Transcript Notation
A zero-credit transcript notation is appropriate in very specific circumstances, either as additional recognition for a paid research experience or when a student has reached their course credit cap. It is not intended to replace other course-based research requirements or credited research opportunities. Review the transcript notation program details to determine if a transcript notation is the appropriate way to recognize a student’s work.