Assistantships
UROP Assistantships provide funding to students to partner with a faculty mentor to help on an existing project.
Award Amounts
- Summer: $2,000
- Academic Year: $1,000
Back to Student Grant Types
Notices
All grant applications are closed—but will reopen next fall for Summer 2024 and/or Academic Year 2024-25 projects.
Open opportunities will be posted late April to early May—join the alert list to be notified when projects are posted for Summer 2023 and/or Academic Year 2023-24. You can also add your name to the "Application Alert List" to be notified when applications reopen.
Assistantship Proposal
Introduction
Your proposal explains the “what,” “why,” “how,” and “when” of the research or creative work you plan in partnership with your faculty mentor—and argues its' importance.
Summary
- Context and Objectives
- Methodology and Strategy
- Learning Objectives
- Resources and Materials (Individual Grants Only)
- Timeline
University Compliance
In addition to the project proposal, you might need to complete additional steps to comply with university policy—if your project involves any of the following. Check out the compliance tab for details.
- Human Subjects
- Animal Subjects
- Work funded by the NSF and/or NIH
- Domestic and/or International Travel
UROP Prioritizes Learning Outcomes
You will also explain your “learning objectives,” or what you expect to learn—beyond project outcomes. UROP prioritizes student learning objectives over project outcomes even in Individual Grant proposals, so you should also clearly state what you will learn beyond the results of the project.
Context and Objectives
This is the first part of the proposal reviewers will see and serves as an introduction to the project. Your goal is to capture your reviewer’s attention and get them excited about your work.
Student Prompt
100 word maximum: State the specific objectives/purpose of your mentor's project. Explain the project's relevance and who stands to benefit.
Creative/Performance Projects: Tell us the objectives/purpose of your mentor's project, explaining the points of curiosity from which you're starting, hypothesis or question you're exploring and the guiding principles of the work. Discuss where and when the final project will be exhibited, displayed or performed.
Mentor Endorsement Prompt
100 words maximum: Comment on the development of this proposal, noting the origin of the idea and its potential impact in the field.
Advice
Keep in mind that reviewers might not be familiar with your topic, so you will need to provide some background. But avoid spending too much time introducing the project, which your mentor can do in their comments. Be sure to make the purpose clear and consider starting with your “thesis” sentence (where you state the purpose). Even though you might not have developed the project, reviewers need to see that you understand the project’s goals.
Methodology and Strategy
This section follows the introduction provided in the “context and objections” portion and serves to explain what you will do to achieve the project goals.
Student Prompt
100 word maximum: Note any experience, training and/or coursework required to conduct this project, and explain how you are preparing.
Mentor Endorsement Prompt
100 words maximum: Comment on your mentee's ability to perform this project, highlighting relevant coursework, experience with methods and/or materials, and other relevant certifications and qualifications.
Advice
Communicate clearly but avoid overly detailed and technical descriptions of methods. Make the overall strategy clear and highlight important skills and methodologies. Be sure to explain how you have the training and skills needed for the project or how you will learn them. You might have limited experience when applying for an Assistantship, but reviewers need to see how you will gain the skills needed.
Learning Objectives
This section follows the “methodology and strategy” portion of the proposal and serves to highlight how participation in the project will help you achieve your professional goals.
Student Prompt
100 word maximum: Describe how this project advances your personal, academic and/or professional goals, including how it fits within your degree plan.
Mentor Endorsement Prompt
100 words maximum: Respond to your mentee's learning goals, commenting on 1) how you and/or an additional supervisor will support these objectives and 2) how this project will advance their academic and/or professional goals?
Advice
UROP prioritizes student learning objectives over project outcomes, so you should clearly state what you will learn and how you plan to apply what you learn.
Timeline
This is the last section of the proposal and serves to highlight when you will do the activities outlined in the “methodology and strategy” portion.
Student Prompt
150 word maximum: Outline the major phases of your project, providing a timeline of activities.
Mentor Endorsement Prompt
Optional: Provide additional information about this project timeline.
Advice
Avoid overcrowding the timeline with details more suitable for other portions of the proposal. Be sure your timeline aligns to the grant term to which you are applying (summer or academic year). Students submitting proposals for projects continuing into the academic year might have similar proposals in their applications, but the timelines should be distinct.
Compliance
Human Subjects
Projects involving human subjects may require approval by the IRB and involve additional steps in the application and award process.
Students: Talk to your mentor as soon as possible and review the resources and guidelines on the IRB website.
Additional Prompts
Have you completed training in human subject research (IRB)?
- Yes: Attach your IRB training completion certificate.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to complete the IRB training requirements for human subject testing.
Mentor's Prompt
100 words maximum: Explain how you will support your mentee's plans to work with human subjects.
Have you completed training in human subject research (IRB)?
- Yes: Attach your IRB training completion certificate.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to complete the IRB training requirements for human subject testing.
Has your project been approved by the IRB?
- Yes: Attach your IRB approval.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to receive IRB approval for your project, noting how you will identify and protect subjects during and after the project.
Mentor's Prompt
100 words maximum: Explain how you will support your mentee's plans to work with human subjects.
Has your project been approved by the IRB?
- Yes: Attach your IRB approval.
100 words maximum: Explain your plan to ensure all students complete the IRB training requirements for human subject testing and the project receives IRB approval, noting how you will identify and protect subjects during and after the project.
Animal Subjects
Projects involving animal subjects may require approval by the IACUC and involve additional steps in the application and award process.
Students: Talk to your mentor as soon as possible and review the resources and guidelines on the IACUC website.
Additional Prompts
Have you completed training the care and use of animals (IACUC)?
- Yes: Attach your IACUC training completion certificate.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to complete the IACUC training requirements for non-human animal subject testing.
Mentor's Prompt
100 words maximum: Explain how you will support your mentee's plans to work with animal subjects.
Have you completed training the care and use of animals (IACUC)?
- Yes: Attach your IACUC training completion certificate.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to complete the IACUC training requirements for non-human animal subject testing.
Has your project been approved by the IACUC?
- Yes: Attach your IACUC approval.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to receive IACUC approval for your project, noting how you will identify and protect subjects during and after the project.
Mentor's Prompt
100 words maximum: Explain how you will support your mentee's plans to work with animal subjects.
Has your project been approved by the IACUC?
- Yes: Attach your IACUC approval.
100 words maximum: Explain your plan to ensure all students complete the IACUC training requirements for non-human animal subject testing and the project receives IACUC approval, noting how you will identify and protect subjects during and after the project.
NSF and NIH Projects
Students participating in projects with NSF or NIH funding must complete appropriate training in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR).
Students: Talk to your mentor as soon as possible and review the resources and guidelines on the RCR website.
Additional Prompts
Have you completed training in the responsible conduct of research (RCR)?
- Yes: Attach your RCR training completion certificate.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to complete the RCR training requirements for working on NSF and/or NIH-funded research.
Mentor's Prompt
100 words maximum: Explain how you will support your mentee's plans to work on an NSF and/or NIH-funded project.
100 words maximum: Explain your plan to ensure all students complete the RCR training requirements for working on NSF and/or NIH-funded research.
Travel
Projects involving domestic and/or international travel require additional steps in the application and award process.
Students: University policy restricts travel to students who are 18 years of age or older, so you will need to certify your age.
Additional Prompts
Student Grants
- Will you be at least 18 years of age by the time you intend to travel?
- Destination(s): State/Province/Region, City, Zip/Postal Code
- Lodging(s): Name, Street Address, Phone
- Emergency Contact: Name, Phone, Email and Relationship
- Hospital or Medical Facility: Name, Street Address, and Phone
Mentor's Prompt
100 words maximum: Explain how you will support your mentee's domestic or international travel plans.
- Will you be at least 18 years of age by the time you intend to travel?
- Destination(s): Country, State/Province/Region, City, Zip/Postal Code
- Lodging(s): Name, Street Address, Phone
- Emergency Contact: Name, Phone, Email and Relationship
- Hospital or Medical Facility: Name, Street Address, and Phone
Have you completed the international travel registration process?
- Yes: Attach your approval email.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to complete the international travel registration process.
Mentor's Prompt
100 words maximum: Explain how you will support your mentee's domestic or international travel plans.
Check out the next tab for details on the international travel registration process.
Faculty Grants
- Destination(s): State/Province/Region, City, Zip/Postal Code
- Lodging(s): Name, Street Address, Phone
- Hospital or Medical Facility: Name, Street Address, and Phone
- Destination(s): Country, State/Province/Region, City, Zip/Postal Code
- Lodging(s): Name, Street Address, Phone
- Hospital or Medical Facility: Name, Street Address, and Phone
Have you completed the international travel registration process?
- Yes: Attach your approval email.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to complete the international travel registration process.
Check out the next tab for details on the international travel registration process.
International Travel
UROP International Travel Policy
If planning international travel, applicants must complete the International Travel Registration process as stipulated in the Policy on Student International Travel and Programs.
Applicants are responsible for paying the cost of the program and all related fees directly. UROP recommends starting the process no later than 3 months prior to departure.
To begin, email registertravel@colorado.edu.
COVID-19 Policy
Travelers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in accordance with the decision made by the University of Colorado. Due to the continued fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic and global response, UROP recommends closely following the advice of the CDC, International SOS, U.S. Department of State and local on-site contacts. As you're planning for your time abroad, be prepared for last minute changes in your ability to travel internationally and potential financial ramifications.
High-Risk Locations & Travel Advisory Suspension Appeals
All travel to a country and/or area designated as a “High-Risk Location” is restricted and requires an appeal to the campus International Risk Committee for Student Travel for permission to travel. Please note that the IRC may withdraw approval for international travel at any time based on changes in the security, health, or safety situation of a location. Additionally, the IRC may request a review of travel plans for approval at any time, regardless of the current US Department of State Travel Advisory level.
UROP International Travel Procedure
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UROP will notify Education Abroad (EA) of all applications proposing international travel. For student grant applicants, notices are sent to EA as faculty mentors complete and submit the Mentor Endorsement form.
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Applicants will be contacted by an EA representative and are expected to follow up in a timely manner—to start the International Travel Registration process, determine if additional compliance procedures are necessary and establish a timeline appropriate for their travel plans.
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EA will notify UROP that applicants have started the International Travel Registration process and alert UROP if an applicant's travel plans require an appeal from the International Risk Committee (IRC).
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UROP will send decision notices after EA confirms that applicants have started the registration process.
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Applicants travelling to locations that do not require an appeal from the IRC may be issued payment before the travel registration process is completed.
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Applicants travelling to locations that require an appeal from the International Risk Committee or additional compliance procedures will be issued payment only after their travel plan has been approved. Award offers will be withdrawn if an applicant's travel plans are not approved by the IRC. Applicants are responsible for notifying UROP of final IRC decisions.
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COVID-19 Risk
You will be required to agree to the following statement acknowledging the risk of COVID-19:
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, there are enhanced risks associated with travel. Please review these terms and provide your acknowledgement and understanding of the enhanced risks associated with your destination so that you can make informed decisions and reduce the potential risks associated with travel.
- I understand that the World Health Organization has classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. I further understand that COVID-19 is a highly contagious and dangerous disease, and that contact with the virus that causes COVID-19 may result in significant personal injury or death to me or others. I am aware of and and accept all the risks inherent in traveling and participating in this program.
- I have reviewed the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory for my travel destination, including their COVID-19 Travel Information.
- I have reviewed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) country-specific information for my destination as well as their COVID-19 Information.
- I understand that it is possible to contract COVID-19 even if I follow all safety precautions and guidelines recommended by the CDC and other federal, state and local government health officials. I recognize that my participation in this program may expose me to inherent, unforeseeable risks not within the control of CU Boulder.
- I understand that any unanticipated travel or lodging costs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic will be my responsibility.
- I understand that I am subject to all local laws, regulations, ordinances or other government-related orders while participating in this program.
- I am responsible for my own personal health and safety. I assume the responsibility for obtaining all required medical advice, and/or medications from a healthcare professional prior to traveling.
- I will take the necessary steps to prepare myself and manage the risks of traveling.
General Advice
State your “thesis” first
Start with the purpose of your work to get reviewers’ attention.
Frame the “bigger picture”
Place your project in the context of the field of study.
Highlight broader impacts
Be clear about the benefits of your project beyond impact in the field of study.
Answer the “so what?” question
Be sure reviewers understand why the project is needed.
Communicate urgency
Explain why the project is not only needed—but needed now.
Avoid jargon/technical language
Use language accessible to reviewers who might not be familiar with the topic.
Leave out citation references
UROP accepts the mentor endorsement as verification of sources without citation.
Consult with the Writing Center
Consider consulting with the CU Boulder Writing Center as you draft your proposal.