Early Research Experience in E-Term

Updated March 10, 2023.

The 2023 EREE program is closed for Student Applications. Please check back again next year!

The Early Research Experience in E Term (EREE) program offers a first research experience to interested undergraduate students who have not yet had an authentic research experience. We will provide current first and second-year students an initial immersive research experience with a WPI faculty mentor. The goal of this program is to create pathways to deep and meaningful research experiences in STEM fields for undergraduate students, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM including underrepresented minorities, first-generation students, transfer students, and women.

EREE 2023 PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES
SUBMIT 2023 FACULTY PROJECT PROPOSAL

This research experience provides students with the following:

  • The opportunity to participate in summer research early in their academic career
  • A paid research experience ($4,500 over 10 weeks)
  • Close mentoring with a faculty member and graduate mentor
  • Preparation for additional research opportunities at WPI and beyond
  • Information and advice about future graduate research and career opportunities
  • Weekly professional development workshops

Program details: 

  • Undergraduate students do a full-time educational research position
  • The 2023 program will be held in-person in labs on the WPI campus
  • The program runs May 30 - August 4, 2023
  • Students attend weekly professional development workshops
  • Students will showcase their work in a presentation at the end of the summer on August 3, 2023 at the Summer Research Showcase
  • It is not recommended that students do IQP, MQP, or other classes at the same time as EREE research, or hold a second day-job or summer-day-job

Housing

  • Undergraduate students are expected to secure their own housing during the summer
  • However, we have very limited funds to provide a housing subsidy for need based students.
  • Recipients of Pell Grants or other WPI need based scholarships are eligible for the housing subsidy.
  • Requesting a housing subsidy will not affect a student’s chances of being selected for the program.

Who should apply?

  • Any undergraduate student who is looking for their first research experience. 
  • All first or second-year students interested in their first research experience
  • Students from conventionally underrepresented groups in STEM are strongly encouraged to apply
    • Underrepresented minorities
    • First-generation college students (neither parent has a 4-year degree)
    • Transfer students
    • Women

EREE selection and matching process: 

  • Faculty submit a project of a size and scope that is suitable for a student's first research experience
  • Interested students browse the list of available projects – (list of projects coming soon!)
  • Students looking for a paid summer research experience submit an application and indicate three (3) projects of interest
  • EREE Steering Committee makes a faculty-student match
  • Faculty applications are due by January 31, 2023

Student application process

  • Application available the week of February 8, 2023
  • Application due March 1, 2023 by 11:59pm ET.
  • Students should prepare these things before starting the application process:
    • Choose three (3) projects of interest from the listing of 2023 Project Opportunities. Pay close attention to the project numbers, as you will need these numbers for your application!
    • Write a resume – Need help? Contact the CDC for a virtual resume-writing appointment!
    • An official or unofficial academic WPI transcript - Need help? Instructions here.
    • You will need to agree to participate in the weekly professional development workshops, the Summer Professional Development Series for Undergraduates (SPuDS)
    • Answer this reflection question:
      • Each student brings a diverse set of skills and experiences (technical and non-technical) to a research group. Please describe three skills that you can bring to a new research group and three skills that you would like to learn or improve upon through a research experience. (Please limit your response to 300 words)

Faculty process

The most successful faculty proposals describe a project appropriate for a student who has no prior experience with scientific research. Faculty submissions are due January 31, 2023.

Faculty mentors will receive $400 toward their professional development fund.

Faculty Expectations Include:

  • Provide students with an authentic research experience
  • Mentor students in their academic and career goals
  • Support student’s participation in professional development workshops & programming
  • Coach students through the process of presenting academic research
  • Participate in the EREE program Faculty Mentor activities:
    • Attend mentor training
    • Attend end of summer undergraduate research showcase
    • Complete the faculty survey

Questions?

Contact the EREE Program Director, Professor Jessica Rosewitz at: jarosewitz@wpi.edu