Undergraduate Student Opportunities in Academic Research (USOAR)
Call for Faculty Mentors
Interested faculty members should read the information below and complete a project submission form to be considered as a mentor for the following academic year.
What is USOAR?
USOAR is a program that matches first-year, second-year, and transfer undergraduate students who do not have previous research experience* with a paid Federal Work Study research position in Charlottesville. USOAR strives to introduce students to the enriching experience of participating in research and to provide the opportunity to build strong relationships with faculty. Students will spend 5-10 hours per week during the academic year working with their faculty supervisor on research-related tasks or projects.
* “Previous research experience” means any research experience under a faculty member’s (or high school teacher’s) supervision, whether at UVA or elsewhere. (This does not include writing an academic research paper as part of a course or participating in a required taught lab component of a course. However, it does include participation in AP Research in high school.)
What does the program provide?
We will post your position description(s) to the USOAR website and open the application process to incoming and returning students that meet the eligibility criteria. In August, we will facilitate a matching process (details below).
Student wages will be funded 100% by Federal Work Study and by the Office of Citizen Scholar Development. Our office will manage the HR processes related to hiring student workers and ensuring payment. However, faculty will be required to approve hours on a bi-weekly basis. Students will take a one-hour Introduction to Academic Research I&II course series throughout the academic year, which serves to equip them with a better understanding of how to contribute meaningfully to the research experience. All students will present at the University of Virginia’s Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in April.
Students who fulfill all program requirements in their first year in the program will be permitted to continue for one additional year in research funded by Federal Work Study and the Office of Citizen Scholar Development.
How do I participate?
Interested faculty members should read the guidelines for mentors below and complete a project submission form by May 28, 2025.