Thank you for your interest in serving as a Faculty Research Mentor in the FDU Research Fellows Program. Up to five full-time faculty members will be selected as Faculty Research Mentors for the Spring 2027 semester.

This brief application asks you to describe the research, scholarly, or creative opportunity you will provide; the experience and learning opportunities available to the Fellow; and your approach to mentoring a student who may have little or no prior research experience.

Please complete all required fields and submit the application by 10/16/2026.

Responses should be written with prospective undergraduate Fellows in mind. Selected project descriptions may be shared with students as part of the Research Fellows application and matching process.

Prior research experience should not be required of the Fellow unless it is essential to participation in the proposed project. 

Selection as a Faculty Research Mentor does not guarantee a student match. Final matches will depend on student interest, project fit, and availability.

Faculty Eligibility
Faculty Research Mentors must be full-time, tenure-track FDU faculty members.

The program is University-wide. Faculty Research Mentors may propose research, scholarly, or creative opportunities based at any FDU campus or offered through an appropriate virtual or hybrid format.

Faculty Research Mentor Award
Up to five matched Faculty Research Mentors will receive a $500 Faculty Research Mentor Award in recognition of their participation in faculty mentor education and commitment to providing an intentional, guided research experience for an undergraduate Fellow..

Funds may be used toward eligible professional development materials or activities, including, but not limited to, books, software, and registration for conferences or workshops, whether in person or virtual.

Faculty Research Mentor Commitment

Participation in the FDU Research Fellows Program includes faculty mentor development and mentoring an undergraduate Research Fellow during Spring 2027.

Faculty Research Mentors who are matched with a Fellow will:

• Participate in four hours of required mentor education, informed by Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER);
• Participate in the Faculty Research Mentoring Community of Practice, with opportunities to learn from colleagues, exchange effective mentoring practices, and reflect on the mentoring experience;

Selected Faculty Research Mentors will:

• Develop or refine a meaningful and manageable research, scholarly, or creative experience appropriate for an undergraduate student who may have little or no prior research experience;
• Establish shared expectations with the Fellow at the beginning of the Spring 2027 experience;
• Connect with the Fellow at least weekly through an individual meeting, research team or laboratory meeting, virtual meeting, or other substantive interaction appropriate to the project and student's stage of development;
• Meet individually with the Fellow regularly to provide guidance, feedback, encouragement, and opportunities for reflection;
• Help the Fellow understand the broader purpose and significance of the research, scholarly, or creative work;
• Support the Fellow's development as the student gains experience, skills, confidence, and increasing independence;
• Participate in the program kickoff and year-end FDU Research Fellows Showcase; and
• Communicate with the Associate Provost for Research & Sponsored Projects as needed throughout the program.

During Spring 2027, Fellows will devote approximately 2–3 hours per week to their research experience. The nature and timing of activities will vary by project and should be established collaboratively by the Fellow and Faculty Research Mentor.
 
 
 
 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I apply if I already mentor undergraduate students, including Honors students?
Yes. Faculty with prior or current undergraduate research mentoring experience are encouraged to apply. The Research Fellows Program is not intended to replace or duplicate existing undergraduate research mentoring. Rather, it provides a structured, semester-long research experience for students while creating a community of faculty mentors who can share their expertise, strengthen mentoring practices, and contribute to a broader culture of undergraduate research at FDU. Experienced mentors are an important part of that community.

 

2. Can I select the undergraduate student I will mentor or bring a student I am already mentoring into the program?
Faculty selected for the program will identify the research project or opportunity available to a Research Fellow. Students will have an opportunity to express interest in available projects, and matching will consider student interest, project fit, faculty input, availability, and other relevant factors. Participation as a faculty mentor does not automatically enroll a student whom the faculty member is already mentoring into the Research Fellows Program.

 
 
 

Research Opportunity

Please note: This information will be shared with prospective FDU Research Fellows as part of the student application process.

What Happens Next?

• Faculty applications will be reviewed following the October 16, 2026 deadline.
• Selected Faculty Research Mentors will be notified in late October.
• Selected research opportunities will be shared with undergraduate students University-wide during the November 3–20 student application period. Students will apply to the opportunities that most interest them.
• Student applications will be reviewed, and Faculty Research Mentor/Fellow matches will be determined based on student interest, project fit, faculty-identified requirements, scheduling, location, and participation format.
• Faculty Research Mentors and Fellows will be notified of final matches in early December.
• Fellows will participate in an Expectations & Preparation Session, and matched Faculty Research Mentors will complete required mentor education prior to or during the beginning of the Spring 2027 semester.
• The Spring 2027 research experience will begin with a joint Faculty Mentor/Fellow kickoff in mid-January.

Faculty Mentor Commitment Statement

By submitting this application, I confirm that I have reviewed the Faculty Research Mentor Commitment above and, if matched with a Research Fellow, have the capacity to fulfill these expectations throughout the Spring 2027 semester.