The Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study (NDIAS) invites highly-motivated students to apply to its Undergraduate Research Assistantship program for the 2017-2018 academic year. Those students who are selected will work side-by-side top scholars and scientists, Fellows in residence at the NDIAS, on major questions that span the humanities, social and natural sciences, arts, engineering, and law. This program at the NDIAS builds on a tradition at the University of Notre Dame of enriching undergraduate curricula with significant research experiences. The online application is available now; all application materials must be submitted by Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

The program seeks the most promising undergraduate students at the University of Notre Dame who wish to develop their skills for the study of big ideas across disciplinary boundaries and to utilize their experience at the Institute as a model for their own training and scholarship. Dr. Donald Stelluto, Associate Director of the NDIAS, explained “the Institute is pleased to provide this distinctive opportunity for undergraduates to explore integrative research that complements the classroom instruction and mentoring they receive from University faculty in their major.” He went on to add, “we’re committed to fostering interest among undergraduates for pursuing a life of the mind and preparing them for continued academic education and training at the graduate level.”

The 2017-2018 program, funded by ND Research, will provide opportunities for up to twenty undergraduate students. Assistantships may be for one semester or for the entire academic year. Student assistants work up to 10 hours per week for fifteen weeks per semester, at an hourly rate of $10 per hour, for an average total stipend, per student, of up to $3,000 per year or up to $1,500 per semester. Typical research assistant tasks include: identifying and retrieving research materials, conducting initial readings of primary and secondary sources, developing bibliographies and literature reviews, drafting notes and annotations, proofreading, copying, and editing.

Student research assistants are invited to participate in the academic life of the Institute and attend the twice-weekly seminars at the NDIAS for which they have interest, and as their class schedules allow. Research assistants meet on Friday afternoons, as a group, for unique programming that includes small-group sessions with University researchers and research workshops. Students are aided during their assistantships by a Coordinator for Undergraduate Research and the NDIAS Associate Director.

During their assistantships, students are asked to evaluate their experience, reflecting on new research skills learned; the improvement of pre-existing skills; how the experience has influenced their own understanding of ideas, concepts, and research; how it has affected their future educational or career plans; and how it has caused them to reconceptualize their own undergraduate education experience.

Interested University of Notre Dame students are invited to apply for the program using the online application available on the NDIAS website: https://ndias.nd.edu/engagement/undergraduate-research-assistant-application/. Because of its interdisciplinary nature, students from all majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants are asked to respond to several questions about research, submit their resume, and provide the names of two faculty references. Once again, the deadline for all application materials is Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Students will be informed of selection decisions between May 30 and June 15, 2017.

The program is administered by Dr. Don Stelluto, Associate Director of the NDIAS. Applicants are encouraged to review the Frequently Asked Questions page before applying; additional questions about the program may be directed to Dr. Stelluto at dstellut@nd.edu.