Mentor Guidelines

Thank you for partnering with the CANR Undergraduate Research Program (URP) to support undergraduate student success. By sharing your expertise, you provide students with valuable opportunities to engage in research, develop professional skills, and contribute to meaningful scholarly work. We appreciate your commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists, scholars, and professionals. Please review the guidance below as you prepare to work with your student researcher.

Mentor Responsibilities

Faculty mentors may support one URP applicant per funding cycle.
Review the Application Guidelines and the Evaluation Rubric to understand the application requirements and evaluation criteria.
Help your student understand how their role contributes to broader research goals.
Discuss expectations for time commitment and responsibilities. Most students spend approximately 8-10 hours per week on their research project.
Meet with your student regularly to provide guidance, feedback, and mentorship throughout the project.

Reference Requirement: After a student submits an application, you will automatically receive a request to complete a mentor reference form. All reference materials must be submitted by the published mentor deadline.

Funding Details

If awarded, URP funds will be transferred to an account within the faculty mentor's department. At least 80% of the award must directly support the student through hourly pay, travel, and/or presentation expenses. The remaining portion of the award may be used for research-related lab or field supplies that directly support the student's work.

As part of the reference form, faculty mentors will be asked to describe any additional funding sources that will support the project (if applicable) to help demonstrate overall project feasibility.

Student Training

Please be sure your mentee understands your department’s individual, institutional, and professional responsibility for ethical practice and integrity in research and scholarship. Students receiving URP funds will be contacted by the MSU Office of Undergraduate Research to complete Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) training.

Presentation Expectations

URP recipients are expected to present their work at (1) the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) within one year of their research experience, and (2) one additional presentation venue.

Additional presentation venues may include a professional conference, departmental or college research symposium, campus research event, or other presentation opportunity.

Contact Rose Stewart at stewa684@msu.edu with any questions.