Community-Based: Information for Students

Community-Based Undergraduate Research Opportunity

The University of Nevada, Reno Undergraduate Research office is offering a program aimed at providing undergraduate students an opportunity to do research that directly addresses community-based problems. Students selected for this program will participate in a research experience with a local agency and a faculty mentor. You will work one-on-one with your selected mentor and the agency on an active research project in your field of interest. Agencies and their research projects are listed in the informational downloads on this page.

Funding Periods

There are two award period for the Community-Based Research Awards:

Fall awards (apply in spring):

• These projects will be conducted roughly between August 1-Dec 20 (finalized dates will be determined between the students and agency)
• Students will be paid for a 15 week period during that fall semester
• The application period for these projects will be in held in March of the previous Spring semester

Spring awards (apply in fall):

• These projects will be conducted roughly between January 20-May 1 (finalized dates will be determined between the students and agency)
• Students will be paid for a 15 week period during that Spring semester
• The application period for these projects will be in held in November of the previous Fall semester

Participating Agencies

Proposed Projects for Spring 2019:

• City of Reno: Input & outreach regarding the local arts community
• City of Reno: Linear park feasibility & implementation
• City of Reno: Barley straw investigation for algae mitigation
• City of Reno Office of Revitalization: Analysis of service fees
• Great Basin Resource Watch: Areas of influence from mining in Nevada
• JUSTin Hope Foundation: Providing respite services
• Nevada Volunteers: Exploring the impact of Service Enterprise Certification
• Washoe County: Researching the jail house story – fiscal commitments and arrangements

Funded Projects for Fall 2018:

• Carson City School District: GIS analysis
• City of Reno: Accommodations for successful aging
• City of Reno: Air quality in the Truckee Meadows
• City of Reno: Habitat conservation to support urban biodiversity and eradicate invasive species
• City of Reno: Local government operations water efficiency
• City of Reno: Rain-on-snow flooding in the Truckee Meadows, a historical perspective on future risk
• City of Reno Public Works: In-lake ring filter nutrient reduction system research project for Virginia Lake
• Envirolution: Project ReCharge
• Nevada Green Institute: A study of public awareness and knowledge of sustainability
• Sierra Club: Nevada natural gas analysis
• Sierra Club: Pathways to 100% renewable energy for residential Reno
• Washoe County: Community level of service

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by Undergraduate Research and by community agencies. Some opportunities may be able to fund two students on the same project. Interested students should contact undergradresearch@unr.edu if they have any questions.

Student Employment

An award of $1,800, provided by the University, will go to the student in the form of salary as a student worker. Students will work approximately 10 hours per week over a 15-week semester. Funds required for on-site materials or transportation to field sites would be provided by the agency. A $500 stipend will go to the faculty mentor.

Meeting Requirement

All students will be required to attend at least two round-table meetings during the semester that they are awarded. Check the calendar for the meeting schedule.

Sharing your experience

Students who are chosen for this award are expected to present their findings at the Community-Based Research Symposium directly following the end of their project (end of fall semester or end of spring semester) and the annual Spring Nevada Undergraduate Research Symposium. Students will do an oral presentation to their community partner, faculty mentor, and other members of the community at the Community-Based Research Symposium. The Nevada Undergraduate Research Symposium will be a poster presentation to fellow peers, University faculty, and the University community as a whole.