Early Research Experience in E-Term

2023 EREE group shot
2023 EREE President Wang & student
2023 EREE candid floor shot
2022 EREE candid presentation

Updated March 5, 2024.

The 2024 EREE summer program is closed for student applications. Student applications are currently in review.

The Early Research Experience in E Term (EREE) program offers an in-person, on-campus, full-time first research experience to interested undergraduate students who have not yet had an authentic research experience at the college level. The Office of Undergraduate Studies 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.

2024 Dates:

  • Faculty proposals due January 31
  • Student application opens February 5, 2024 and closes March 1, 2024 at 11:59pm
  • Faculty and students notified of selections at the earliest March 15, latest April 15
  • Program starts May 29 with Summer Research Orientation
  • Program ends and Summer Undergraduate Research Showcase on August 1

More about EREE

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, in-person, on-campus educational research position
  • The 2024 Summer program will be held in person in labs on the WPI campus
  • The program runs during E1 and E2 terms
  • Students attend weekly professional development workshops
  • Students will showcase their work in a presentation at the end of the summer on August 1, 2024, at the Summer Research Showcase
  • It is strongly recommended that students do not enroll in 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

Student application process

  • Student application available the week of February 5, 2024
  • Student applications are due March 1, 2024 by 11:59pm ET.
  • Students should prepare these things before starting the application process:
    • Choose three (3) projects of interest from the listing of 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.
    • Agree to participate in the weekly professional development workshops, the Summer Professional Development Series for Undergraduates (SPuDS), weekly throughout the program on Wednesday mornings
    • Agree to prepare and present a poster at the Summer Undergraduate Research Showcase on August 1, 2024
    • 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)
    • NO letters of recommendation are needed.
2023 Student Presenting Live 3
2022 EREE group photo
2023 Student Presenting Live
2023 Student Presenting Live 2

Faculty process

The most successful faculty proposals describe a project appropriate for a student who has no prior experience with scientific research.

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

Faculty Expectations Include:

  • Provide students with an in-person authentic research experience during the E1 and E2 terms
  • 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 prior to program start
    • Attend the Summer Undergraduate Research Showcase 
    • Complete the faculty survey afterward

Have Questions?

Contact the EREE Program Director, Professor Jessica Rosewitz at... 

 

Partner Programs

The EREE Program is grateful for the continuing support from our partners at WPI:

The Great Minds /CoMPASS Scholars Programs at WPI, providing scholarships and a network of support designed to ensure the academic, personal, cultural, and professional success of our students. NSF Award # 1930461.

Preview

NSF-smallest

The continuing partnership from the Northeast Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Scholar Program is an enduring committment from 6 local New England universities to build community and support minority students, encouraging them to pursue research opportunities. NSF Award # 2110083.

Preview

WIN logo

Through the Women's Impact Network (WIN) Grant Program, we are thankful for the funding that supports the WIN Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program created to lay the foundation for successful women’s careers in Science and Engineering.

Preview

ODIME-smallest

The WPI Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME), promotes and oversees all student facing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) learning experiences, programs, services, trainings, and initiatives for WPI.