FYRE
The First Year Research Experience (FYRE) Program supports full-time, degree-seeking, first-year work students who are work-study eligible. Through the program, Federal Work Study awards support a job in research or creative activities under the supervision and guidance of a faculty mentor. Students are employed by the Office of Undergraduate Research and are matched with a position on campus. Students will commit to 5-10 hours per week on their assigned project and will be paid $10/hour. This year’s cohort will have the opportunity to participate in HuskerWork as part of their FYRE appointment.
Students
The FYRE Program allows eligible full-time, degree-seeking freshman to use their Federal Work Study award to find a job in a research or creative activities position under the supervision and guidance of a faculty mentor. Students are employed by the Office of Undergraduate Research and are matched with a position on campus.
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How It WorksEligible students will be invited in summer prior to the academic year to review the directory of FYRE opportunities and to complete a short application form that includes selecting their top three job choices. The Office of Undergraduate Research will share applicant information with faculty for all students who have selected the mentor’s project in their top three choices.
Faculty will make a shortlist of candidates and return to the Office of Undergraduate Research who will make the final placements. While there is no guarantee of a match or placement, every effort will be made to make a connection that works for both the faculty mentor and the FYRE student.
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Student EligibilityEligible students will be identified and recruited by the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid in summer. Eligibility requirements include:
- Having a minimum 2.5 high school GPA;
- Completing the FAFSA and accepting a federal work study award;
- Committing to at least 5-10 hours per week on the assigned project.
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Program TimelineApplications open: June 1, 2022
Deadline: July 15, 2022
FYRE placement announcement: August 22, 2022
FYRE begins: August 29, 2022
Faculty
Faculty members who wish to be considered for a FYRE placement will complete the job description form by May of each academic year.
The job description form includes the project/job title, project description, potential tasks and responsibilities, desired student qualifications and characteristics, and a place for additional comments. All job descriptions will be added to a directory of FYRE opportunities.
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ConsiderationsEach year, we seek faculty mentors who are interested in developing projects and opportunities for freshman and who are committed to student success through high-impact learning experiences like undergraduate research. There is no financial commitment required from the faculty mentor or department. The Office of Undergraduate Research will provide funding for the program.
Faculty should set their expectations appropriately and be prepared to spend the necessary time acclimating their FYRE student to their jobs and providing guidance and assistance throughout the year. We encourage faculty mentors to introduce their FYRE students to the other members of your lab or research group including post-docs, graduate students, and other undergraduate students, but faculty mentors should commit to working directly with their FYRE student on a consistent basis.
Learn more about the program by contacting ucare@unl.edu.
