Student Researcher FAQs
Q: Who is eligible to be a summer researcher?
A: All continuing Trinity College undergraduate students are eligible to be Research Assistants.
Q: What support does the program provide to student summer researchers?
A: Students receive a stipend of $550 per week for 8-10 consecutive weeks of research work, as well as on-campus housing. Meals are your responsibility. If you have concerns about how participation may impact financial aid status, please contact the Financial Aid Office. Due to the complexities of international tax laws and employment regulations in each country, stipends cannot be paid for remote research to students living outside the United States this summer, regardless of citizenships.
Q: Can Research Assistants earn credit for summer research work?
A: Students are eligible to earn an optional co-curricular credit for summer research work through the Trinity Plus Curriculum. Grades are evaluated by faculty supervisors on a Distinction/Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. Summer research credit is charged a fee of $350 for 1.0 co-curricular credit. This fee will be waived for students on need-based financial aid. Students may earn co-curricular credit, stipends, and on-campus housing.
Q: Will I have the option to conduct research remotely as well as in-person?
A: All students are expected to work with faculty in person over the summer.
Q: How do interested students identify a faculty supervisor?
A: Talk to your professors and ask them if they are applying to fund a Summer Research Program project. If a faculty member has a project of interest, inquire about position availability and fit within your academic pursuits. Ask to see if you can support by being a Research Assistant.
Q: I have been talking with a faculty member about their project. How do I get involved?
A: The faculty member should include your name in the funding application. If the research project is awarded funds, you will be contacted via email to provide feedback about your role as a Research Assistant. Visit the how to apply page for additional information.
Q: Can I hold a Research Assistant position with more than one faculty member or on multiple research projects?
A: You can hold a Research Assistant position on only one awarded SRP project. It is expected that you dedicate your full commitment to your role on that project.
A: The Faculty Research Committee will notify faculty applicants via email by mid-March. Students will be approached and expected to provide feedback about the position by April 4 to accept a Research Assistant position.
Q: Can I have additional employment or take a summer course during the summer research period?
A: Students should understand that a research assistant position will be the primary focus of their summer work and the expectation is that you will be working on the project the equivalent of full-time for the 10-week period. The ability to take on additional employment opportunities or complete a summer course throughout the duration of the summer research period is determined by the specific nature and time commitment of each research project.
Q: Do I need to submit feedback on my work at the end of the summer?
A: Yes, each student is required to submit a summary of work to the dean of academic affairs at the completion of the project. The summary should describe the academic gains that you made as a result of your work with your faculty supervisor. Summary reports are due by October 1, following the research period. You are also encouraged to present your research at the annual Summer Research Symposium held in September.
Q: What opportunities are available for humanities-based summer research?
A: The Public Humanities Collaborative, a component of the Summer Research Program, brings together students, faculty, and Hartford-area humanities partners to explore themes in the humanities and creatively engage both scholarly and public audiences. In this program, you will spend half your time (approximately 15 hours) on campus doing academic research with a faculty member (likely working with them on a journal article or book chapter) and the other half collaborating with a Hartford-area humanities partner to produce their public humanities work (such as an oral history collection, interactive website, community discussion, or public performance) for a wider audience. This program is particularly useful for students interested in learning about a variety of possible careers available in the humanities. Students from all majors are encouraged to apply. For more information email Erica Crowley or Hilary Wyss, or visit the PHC website.
