Introduction and History: Gervase Programs: Learning to Lead

For more than ten years, the Georgetown Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (GUROP) has offered motivated undergraduate students at Georgetown the opportunity to learn the discipline and experience the rewards of scholarly research by working with faculty on their research projects. This research occurs in a large variety of ways and venues, the vagaries of which GUROP would like to learn more. GUROP would like to widen the scope of the opportunity for more students to participate in something so integral to the life of the University. This will mean exciting and important changes to the policies and procedures of GUROP.

Most of the changes to GUROP are intended to enhance its academic features. Our research has shown that involvement in meaningful research can provide the necessary edge to students’ competitiveness in admission to top-flight graduate schools, and in application for prestigious grants and fellowships. A full-time research experience is key, but possible only during the summer. Consequently, the most striking change to GUROP will be that will significantly increase the numbers of full-time research fellowships through a re-allocation of most of the funds previously spent on small term-time research awards. Eligibility for the summer fellowship selection process will include as many students as possible even from students not formally participating in GUROP. We would note that, aside from independent study for credit, GUROP is the only way a student can receive recognition for non-classroom research.

Research Assistants develop specific research skills as well as a better understanding of the nature of research and of the wider research community.  Faculty research mentors often advance their own research projects (as contrasted with a student's original research) via the assistance of interested students, and receive the satisfaction of introducing individual students to the excitement and challenges of one’s life's work. Your research may have a clear and profound effect on the life of one or more students.

Rationale * Benefits * New Requirements