Student Researcher FAQs

Q: What support does the program provide to student summer researchers?
A: Students receive a stipend of $550 per week for 8-10 weeks of research work, as well as on-campus housing. Meals are your responsibility. If you have concerns about how participation may impact your financial aid, 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 their citizenships.

Q: Can I earn credit for my summer research work?
A: Students who matriculated in or after fall 2021, and are following the Trinity Plus curriculum, are eligible to earn an optional co-curricular credit for summer research work. 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 financial aid. Students may still earn co-curricular credit, the stipend, 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 this summer.

Q: How do I find a faculty supervisor?
A: Talk to your professors and ask them if they have any SRP research projects. If they have a project of interest to you, ask to see if you can apply to work on it through the Summer Research Program.

Q: I have been talking with a faculty member about their project. How do I apply?
A:  You should prepare the description of the project in close consultation with your proposed research supervisor, and you will be asked to identify them on your application. You will need to answer two questions in order to apply

1. Describe the proposed research project (250 word limit).
2. How will your participation in the student research program help you achieve your academic goals? (250 word limit)

Applications are submitted online on the Student Research Application Tracker​.

Q: Can I submit more than one application? ​
A: Yes! But you can only be awarded one SRP position, so you will be asked to rank your applications if you choose to apply for more than one project.

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​.

Q: Can I have additional employment during the summer research period?
A: Students should understand that research will be the primary focus of their summer work. The ability to take on additional employment opportunities throughout the duration of the summer research period is determined by the specific nature of each research project.

Q: Do I need to submit feedback on my work at the end of the summer?
A: Yes, each student researcher is required to submit a summary of work to the dean of academic affairs at the completion of their contribution to 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.