As part of our Research MAP services, the Office of Undergraduate Research connects students who have Work-Study support with faculty research mentors:
- Work-Study provides part-time jobs for students with financial need. Students who are eligible for Work-Study receive financial aid packages that include a Work-Study offer.
- Work-Study can cover up to 70% of student wages, which means that the cost to the faculty PI, their lab, or their department is greatly reduced. On average, an undergraduate research assistant receiving full Work-Study support would work approximately 10 hours per week and be paid about $2,000 for a semester, of which $1,400 would come from Work-Study support and $600 from the faculty PI matching funds.
- In some cases, the Office of Undergraduate Research can work with campus partners to identify alternate sources of matching funds (e.g., for faculty in fields where grant-funded URA wages are less common).
- Students who connect with faculty mentors in this way are encouraged to attend professional development workshops and compete for research presentation awards at our end-of-year research events.
Interested in connecting with research assistants via Research MAP?
- Email uresearch@austin.utexas.edu to let us know about your interest and your current projects.
- Advertise your projects on the Eureka database.
- We’ll match you with students who have the relevant interests and experience.
- You can draw upon whatever screening or probationary process you think is best to ensure that the student is a good fit.
- Work your department's HR contact to appoint the student as a URA being paid in part by Work-Study.
If you or your department HR contact have questions about hiring a URA with Work-Study, consult our FAQ.