Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP)

What is RAP?

The Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is a two-semester program that allows students with limited or no research experience to use federal work-study funds or gain course credit for undergraduate research apprenticeships with WVU research faculty. Research Apprentices are introduced to research through a research assignment with a WVU faculty member.

Past apprentices have been paired with faculty in nearly every field from arts and humanities (e.g., music history, theater, English, philosophy), to science and engineering (e.g., biology, mechanical engineering, math), and more.

RAP seeks to expand opportunities for students and facilitate their introduction to the concept of scholarship while learning the research or scholarly methods in their field. Students in RAP aim to make significant contributions to the research while learning about the process of research or scholarship in the field.

2019-2020 RAP student Raven Forshee conducts research with tsetse flies in Dr. Rita Rio's lab. Cierra Bedard presents her RAP research at the 2019 fall undergraduate research symposium.

Former RAP student Raven Forshee (left) conducts research with tsetse flies in Dr. Rita Rio's biology lab, while another former RAP student Cierra Bedard (right) delivers a poster presentation on her psychology research mentored by Dr. Aaron Metzger at the fall 2019 undergraduate research symposium.

Faculty Men tors

Want to know how you can mentor a RAP undergraduate Researcher? Mentor Page

Why join RAP?

This program gives aspiring scholars the opportunity to explore their academic passions and advance their career outcomes by partnering with a faculty member whose research aligns with their interests.

As early as the summer before freshman year, the RAP Program helps students uncover their strengths and research under the expert supervision of a WVU faculty member. Through this experience students will gain access to real world applications of their studies. Students have the possibility to continue to research with this mentor for the duration of their undergraduate experience at WVU or make amendments to their course of study based on their initial experience.

Eligibility and Program Requirements

Any WVU undergraduate with little to no prior research experience may inquire about RAP. Undergraduates from all disciplines are welcome to enroll. Before the start of the program and with the help of the Office of Undergraduate Research, students need to secure a faculty mentor willing to supervise their progress throughout the semester.

Research Apprentices will attend a weekly class session (HONR-297: Introduction to Research) and may be eligible to conduct paid research through federal work-study funds or through other sources such as LSAMP and First2 Network. Please see "Program Enrollment" below for more details. Every two weeks, students will be required to submit a biweekly report on their progress. On average, students should plan to commit a minimum of 4 research hours a week in addition to HONR-297 course requirements.

At this time, RAP is only offered in the spring and fall.

Former RAP student Isaiah Hardy presents theatre history research that he conducted with Dr. Radhica Ganapathy at the fall 2019 undergraduate research symposium. Current RAP students Tyler Drummond and Jarrett Childress pose in front of a research poster during an HONR-297 class assignment. Former RAP student Parker Carte tests an electroencephalogram (EEG) for his research with Dr. Scott Galster at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.

Former RAP student Isaiah Hardy (left) presents theatre history research that he conducted with Dr. Radhica Ganapathy at the fall 2019 undergraduate research symposium, while Tyler Drummond (center left) and Jarrett Childress (center right) pose in front of a health sciences research poster during an HONR-297 class assignment. Finally, former RAP student Parker Carte (right) tests an electroencephalogram (EEG) for his neuroscience research with Dr. Scott Galster at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.

Program Enrollment

1. Meet with RAP

We will meet with you individually to help you identify a research mentor. Once you are matched with a mentor, you will be able to enroll in HONR-297.

Schedule an Appointment

2. Students Eligible for Financial Compensation

Students who are eligible for financial compensation and plan to con duct research or engage in scholarly activity under the supervision of a faculty research m entor should enroll in 1 credit hour of HONR-297.

A ) F ederal Work-Study:

Please ensure that you are eligible for work study before you start to enroll in RAP for federal work study. You may do this by checking STAR or contacting the Mountaineer HUB for questions on current eligibility. (Also see "How Do I Become Eligible for FWS?")
Once you are approved for work study, apply to RAP positions through Handshake. Filter your search using "RAP."
Click here for step-by-step instructions on applying to work study positions. Students will be paid starting at $15.00/hour.

B ) Other sources of financial compensation:

Contact the RAP team to know if you are eligible for LSAMP or First2 Network Academic Year Program.

Students Ineligible for Financial Compensation

If you are not eligible for financial compensation and plan to conduct research or engage in scholarly activity under the supervision of a faculty research mentor, you should enroll in 2 credit hours of HONR-297

Want to learn more?