General Program Information

1. What is the UCARE program?

UCARE (Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences) is UNL’s own undergraduate research program.  UCARE provides funding for undergraduates to participate in the research and/or creative activities of the faculty and in projects under the direction of a faculty sponsor. UCARE is organized as a two-year program.

During the first year, the student works as a research assistant for a faculty member on the faculty member's ongoing research or creative activity project(s). During this first year, the student engages in "learning by doing" -- learning why and how the faculty member does research and creative activities by assisting the faculty member in completing research tasks. The student may learn such skills as how to conduct library literature reviews, code or retrieve data, work in a research laboratory, undertake research techniques specific to a project or discipline, assist with an experiment, work in a studio, and so on.

In the second year, the student advances to a project proposed by the student and sponsored by the faculty mentor with whom the student worked during the first year. Ordinarily it is expected that the project will be an extension of or related to the student's first year UCARE experience, but the key factor is that the faculty member sponsors and serves as a mentor for the project, which the student will have primary responsibility for completing.

2. Can first year students participate in the UCARE program?

Generally no. First year students are not eligible to participate in the UCARE program, however, they can apply to participate in the UCARE program second semester of their first year during the normal UCARE application period (mid February).

3. Can I only participate in UCARE for one year?

Yes.  There are many students who only participate for one year.  Just be clear on the application form that this will be what you are doing.  You will still use a Year 1 application.

4.  Can I participate in UCARE longer than 2 years?

No, unfortunately, UCARE only supports two years of funding.

5. How can I become involved in the UCARE program?

All students must apply to the UCARE program having already selected a faculty sponsor. Applications are due each year in mid February for the following academic year. Be sure to check out the UCARE Timeline for accurate dates.

6. How do I find a faculty sponsor?

When thinking about finding an appropriate faculty sponsor, you may want to consider the following questions to help guide your search:

• What are your specific interests within your field?
• Is there a particular faculty member you would want to work with – someone that you have already had in class?
• What are your goals for after graduation?

If you have an idea of what it is you would want to do research or a creative activity project on, you could search UNL departmental websites to read faculty biographies.  Most UNL faculty members have a short biography on the UNL website which highlights his or her specific research interests.

You could also email the chair of your department. He or she might be able to guide you to appropriate faculty members who do research in the areas that interest you.

Reminders:  a successful UCARE partnership begins with open communication between students and faculty sponsors. Students also need to be aware that they must make time available in their schedules to be responsible research assistants.

7. How does UCARE work if I want to study abroad or have an internship or coop?

The Director of the UCARE Program will try to work with you to make sure that you can participate in both UCARE and off campus opportunities. In general, UCARE is intended to be flexible enough so that you are not limited in what you plan to do. Please speak with the UCARE Director about your off-campus plans so that we can make sure that there are no unforeseen consequences.

 

UCARE Applications

1. How do I apply for UCARE program funds?

You and your faculty member will apply to the UCARE program together. The application is available online through the UCARE website. The online application works as follows:

• The student completes the online application, including the faculty sponsor information. The student will receive a confirmation email.
• Once the student submits his/her portion of the application, an email is sent to the faculty sponsor with a web link to complete the faculty portion of the application.
• After the submission of the faculty sponsor portion, the application is sent to the online database for processing by the UCARE office. The faculty will receive a confirmation email.

2. Can I apply with more than one (1) faculty member?

You are allowed to apply with more than one faculty member, if the nature of your project lends to the involvement of both faculty members together. This is something you should discuss with your proposed faculty sponsor. You are not allowed to apply with more than one faculty member on separate projects.

3. When will I know if my project was accepted by the UCARE program?

The UCARE program office will make decisions about UCARE proposals and notify both students and faculty members in early April of each year.

4. When can I start my UCARE research or creative activity project?

You can choose to start your research or creative activity project in either the summer following your application acceptance (the UCARE "year" begins June 1), or in the fall of the same year. This is a decision to be discussed and made with your faculty sponsor.

 

Payment for UCARE students

1. How do I get paid?

UCARE  students are considered as “UCARE Research Assistants” and are paid $8.00 per hour. During the school year, it is suggested that the student work no more than 10 hours per week. During the summer, the number of hours worked can be more flexible.

Students need to visit their departmental office and meet the financial support staff well before they start working and expect to get paid. Be forewarned there can be a delay between the time that you fill out paperwork and actually get on the payroll. In each department there is a financial support staff person who handles payroll for that department. UCARE Financial Contacts

When students meet with the support staff, they will fill out appropriate paperwork in order to be paid: Personnel Action Forms (PAFs), W-4, I-9, and direct deposit. Please bring the award letter that states the amount of the UCARE award, a picture ID, and your social security card to your departmental contact. (If you have been on the payroll at UNL before, it is important to tell the departmental contact. Much of the standard paperwork has already been done.)

Most departments pay UCARE students as regular student workers.

Students need to fill out time cards weekly that are signed by the faculty sponsor and are paid biweekly. UCARE money is considered income by the Federal Government.

 

IMPORTANT: If at the end of the academic year any of your UCARE money is still remaining, that amount will be returned to the UCARE Office. There is no rolling over of funds allowed from one Academic Year to the next.

After acceptance into the UCARE program

1. What are the expectations of the UCARE program?

We have a few standard expectations.  These are outlined in the agreement form that the student and faculty sponsor sign when they accept their award. 

• It is important that you keep the UCARE office updated as to your telephone number and email address. There are times during the year when we need to contact you with reminders of deadlines, events, and other information pertinent to your experience. Therefore, it is extremely important that you keep us informed.

• Be sure to check the UCARE website often, as it is updated frequently and contains important and useful information.
  
  
• If something comes up and you can no longer participate in the UCARE program you must notify the Director of Undergraduate Research immediately.
  
• It is important that you attend UCARE events. Fall orientation meetings, informal get-togethers, and the Undergraduate Research Conference in the spring are examples of such events.
  
• In March the UCARE office will send out a detailed questionnaire which asks specific questions about your personal and professional growth as a result of participating in the UCARE program and whether UCARE has influenced your post graduation plans. This will be emailed to you, and the system keeps track of who has or has not filled it out.
  
• All UCARE students as of fall 2010 will be required to complete an online Responsible Conduct in Research module offered by the Office of Research.
  
• UCARE students who are working on their independent research projects (specifically YEAR 2 students, but also students who are only going to participate in the UCARE Program for one year) are required to participate in the Undergraduate Research Conference on the UNL campus.  Look for registration to be in early March and the conference itself will be in coordination with the UNL Research Fair and is usually held in early- to mid-April. Registration forms are online only, linked from the UCARE website. Complete details about the conference will be emailed to you after you register.

In order to advertise and support the program and to seek additional funding, we may occasionally call upon you for publicity purposes. We hope that you will actively participate and welcome the media attention should the occasion arise. I may also ask for pictures of you and/or your projects in order to enhance our website.

It would also be appreciated if the UCARE program were acknowledged at formal presentations and in any publications resulting from your participation.