General Guidance on Undergraduate Research Funding:
- During the academic year, students are advised to undertake 10-13 hours of research per week. This is to ensure that they also remain focused on their academic coursework.
- Students are not allowed to clock-in more than 20 hours per week across all university positions if they are paid hourly. This includes hourly undergraduate research appointments. Twenty (20) hours is the threshold set by the US government and the Department of Education. Exceeding this amount is a violation of federal education policy.
- In the interest of equity, we advise that all students are paid a minimum of $15.40/hour if paid on hourly appointments. If issuing stipends, we recommend a maximum of $5,000/academic year or approximately $1600 per quarter. The is to ensure that academic undergraduate research appointments are paid equitably across our student population.
- Undergraduates who are paid hourly may use their work-study. Please discuss with them whether this is an option.
- All research funding is considered taxable income for the student.
Additional Information on University Policies (all points listed below are University-wide policies):
- Students cannot be paid for research that they are also getting credit for.
- Students cannot receive multiple grants or receive duplicative payments from different sources for the same undergraduate research project (double-dipping).
- Students must be full-time and in good-standing with the university in order to be eligible for any form of undergraduate research funding.
- Students on a leave of absence from the University of Chicago are not eligible for undergraduate research funding or appointments.
- Students who have graduated from the University of Chicago are not eligible for undergraduate research funding. They become candidates for full-time employment.
Contacts
CCRF staff are available to discuss best practices for undergraduate research positions and programs.
- Nichole Fazio, Executive Director and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Research & Scholars Programs
- Andrew Karas, Deputy Director and Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Research