Academic Year Research Experiences

The Academic Year Research Experiences (AYRE) program is designed to immerse Minot State University (MiSU) undergraduates in meaningful, year-long research projects. This initiative expands existing opportunities, allowing students in more STEM disciplines to engage in hands-on, experiential learning alongside a faculty mentor. The goal is to boost student engagement, increase STEM research literacy, and enhance connections between students and faculty.

Funding for Student Researchers

Funding is available to support MiSU students participate in a year-long research project with a MiSU STEM faculty member. To get started, students should partner with a MiSU STEM faculty member to co-develop a research project. Once the project is outlined, the faculty member can apply for funding to support the student's work. The following outlines the types and amounts of available support.

• Student Research Salary: Students can receive a salary for their participation, paid at $15.00 per hour for a maximum of 100 hours per academic year. Funding is available for up to five student salaries annually.

• Project Supplies & Consumables: Projects that do not request a student salary can apply for up to $1,000 in supplies and consumables. Projects that include a salary request can apply for up to $500 for supplies and consumables.

• Travel Grants: Supported students can receive up to $500 to attend and present their research at a regional science conference. A strong preference is given to students presenting their work at the annual meeting of the North Dakota Academy of Science. There is a total of $2,500 available annually for travel grants.

How a Faculty Member Can Apply for Funding

To apply for funding, students must work with a MiSU STEM faculty member to outline their proposed research project. The faculty member will serve as the project advisor and mentor.

1. Develop a Project: A MiSU STEM faculty mentor and student co-develop a year-long research project.

2. Complete the Application: The faculty member will submit the application on behalf of the student, detailing the project plan and the requested funding for supplies and/or student salary and travel grants.

3. Notification: Applications will be reviewed monthly from August - October, and you can expect to be notified of a decision within five weeks of submission.

4. Final Report: Upon project completion, a final report, utilizing the provided template, will need to be submitted within one month of the end of the academic year in which the research project occurred (i.e. by June 15th).

Click here for the Application Form

Click here for the Final Report Form

Funded Research Projects

This section will be updated with information on funded research projects, including the student and faculty mentor names, the project title, and a brief summary of the research and once completed the outcomes of the research.