Experiential Student Scholars Program

The Experiential Student Scholar Program allows students to engage in learning through the dynamic process of research where students can develop knowledge, skills, and values from direct experiences outside of a traditional academic setting. If approved, students will receive a $1000 stipend to conduct their research and have the opportunity to work with a TWU faculty or staff mentor of their choice.

Mentors of approved scholars will receive $500 to be used for direct and indirect costs related to the student's project. Materials and equipment acquired with funds provided to the mentor/department under this program are the property of TWU. Mentors will receive the funds via their departmental accounts.

Not sure how to begin a research project or find a mentor? Get started here!

Research Resources

Experiential Projects require engaged learning characterized by:

a female student solves a math equation on a clear board
  • Active collaboration with a faculty or staff mentor;
  • Application of discipline specific theories;
  • Real-world problem solving; and
  • Simulation of skills external to the classroom

Eligibility criteria can be found below.

Categories

Applied Research and Creative Activity – Projects in this category are designed to utilize theoretical concepts in conjunction with primary and/or secondary data in developing solutions to real-world problems related to the student's discipline. Such projects make original contributions to the discipline by providing practical and actionable solutions to specific phenomenon, situation, or problem. (Example projects: creation of an artifact, program, or set of strategies that solve the identified problem).

Basic or Scientific Research – Projects in this category are hypothesis-driven and designed to address and/or test specific scientific questions and theories. (Example projects: theoretically-sound conceptual research designs which may include scientific experimentation related to the student's discipline).

Eligibility

To apply to the Experiential Student Scholars Program, students must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Be a current TWU student-enrolled for both fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters;
  • Commitment to enroll in both fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters;
  • Be in good academic standing (not on academic probation or academic suspension);
  • Receive a TWU faculty or staff mentor’s approval to apply for the program; and
  • Be able to complete the proposed project by March 2025
  • Students must be engaged in their own original research/project and not the work of their faculty/staff mentor. This program is to support student research experiences.

We welcome all students who meet the requirements to apply, but priority consideration will be given to applicants who have not previously been selected as a scholar for this program.

Important dates

  • Monday, August 26, 2024: First day of fall 2024 semester
  • Friday, September 6, 2024: Fall 2024–Spring 2025 Applications close @ 12:00 p.m. No extensions will be given and late applications will not be accepted.
  • Friday, September 20, 2024: Experiential Student Scholar decisions sent via email
  • Friday, September 27, 2024: Accepted Scholars must complete the following components:
    • Orientation Quiz
    • Pre-Reflection Report
    • Letter of Acceptance
  • Friday, December 6, 2024: Last day of fall classes
  • Tuesday, January 13, 2025: First day of spring 2025 semester
  • Monday, January 27, 2025: Mid-Project Report due
  • Friday, January 31, 2025: Deadline for IRB submission (if missing)
  • Friday, March 28, 2025: Poster templates due*
  • April 2025: TWU Creative Arts & Research Symposium
  • Monday, April 28, 2025: Final Project Report due
  • Friday, May 2, 2025: Last day of spring classes

*Experiential Students Scholars are required to participate in the Creative Arts and Research Symposium. Students can select a poster, platform, or virtual presentation to showcase their projects. If students would like to present a poster, poster templates are due on 03/28/2025 for printing.

Page last updated 8:50 AM, June 18, 2024