Apprentice Program

Students and mentors from any discipline on campus are eligible to apply. Applications from faculty should include as much detail as possible about their project. URiCA sets no research priorities; therefore, we will consider applications from all disciplines.

• The Undergraduate Research, Innovative, and Creative Activities Program will allocate up to $250 per project for research supplies and provide students with a minimum of 50 hours of work at a rate of $15 per hour.
• The research supply funds can be used for research or project supplies, travel expenses, and other related costs.
• All Universities of Wisconsin and UW-Whitewater spending policies will be followed, and no exceptions to these rules will be allowed.

 Deadlines:

• Student: September 15, 2026
• Mentors will have two opportunities to apply: By the May 15, 2026 for the 2026-2027 academic year (these spots will be advertised at freshmen and transfer student SOAR events over the summer) and September 15, 2026

Notification: Students will be informed when their application is received, and an interview time will be scheduled before September 30, 2026. Mentors will be notified within one week of their research proposal's 

Award Period: The grant and expenditure periods will be during the 2026-2027 Academic Year (October 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027), with the start date adjusted based on when the application is received. The Universities of Wisconsin and UW-Whitewater have set cutoff dates for specific purchases; these dates are strict and cannot be changed. Expenditures are only permitted for the proposed project and cannot support other projects or future mentor initiatives.

Mentor applications must include a one-page summary:

• Should be formatted  single-spaced, a 12-point font, and one-inch margins
• Overview describing the project and its significance, including any special skills the student might need to be hired as a student research assistant.

For Students:

• Submit your application through the online interest form posted each year with the announcement.
• Priority is given to students who apply by the deadline.

For Mentors:

• Submit your completed proposal as one Word document or PDF.
• Email it to urica@uww.edu. Use this subject line: (P.I. Last Name) RAP Application.

After Submission:

• URiCA staff will review your application within 48 business hours and send you an acknowledgment of receipt.
• If any parts are missing, you will be notified and have 48 business hours to respond.
• Applications not submitted within 48 business hours of notification will be rejected.

At least one member of the URiCA and ORSP staff will review faculty proposals and student applications, evaluate them, and match faculty proposals with student applications.

Awarded proposals will be notified to students and faculty mentors listed in the proposal within one week of accepting their research proposal.

All personnel involved in awarded projects must agree to the following before beginning work on the grant, the students and mentor must:

• Attend RAP Orientation by the URiCA staff.
• Complete a Responsible Conduct of Research course.
• If working with human subjects, complete a course in Social, Behavioral, and Educational (SBE) Sciences.
• If working with human subjects, ensure an approved protocol is on file with the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
• Complete the obligation form, agree to the Seed Grant responsibilities, and supply the requested demographic data for URiCA records.

Documents and Presentations

• If any changes are made to the project's scope or expenditures, these changes must be submitted to URiCA in writing before the scope or budget is altered. URiCA has the right to deny any of these requests.
• Personnel should notify URiCA in writing if any student enrolls in research hours (e.g., 498, 498R, 499 courses) for credit related to this project.
• Respond promptly to any communications from URiCA (i.e., within two business days).
• Finish an end-of-year review of your experience with URiCA.
• RAP students are required to present at UWW’s Spring Undergraduate Research Day in April. A mini-poster option will be offered.