Undergraduate students can engage in research activities by receiving financial support or credits towards their major or minor for research activities, by participating in student work and leadership programs if they are eligible, or just because they are seeking exposure to research as part of the ETSU learning experience. Faculty can engage undergraduate students through the different programs listed below.
Financial Support Resources
Student Work Programs
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Federal Work Study (FWS)
The FWS Program provides funds for part-time employment to help financially eligible students to pay the costs of postsecondary education. Hourly wages must not be less than the federal minimum wage.
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Regular Student Work Programs (RSWP)
This is an institutional work program for students enrolled for a minimum of 6 hours at ETSU. Students do not have to qualify for financial aid to work on RSWP.
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Academic Performance Scholarship (APS)
The Academic Performance Scholarship Program is ETSU’s largest merit-based scholarship program for new freshman students from TN and border counties eligible for in-state tuition. These scholarships are awarded based on a combination of high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores for freshman.
Honors College, Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities
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Honors College Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities
Promotes and advances the natural sciences, health sciences, social sciences, humanities and creative arts by engaging and supporting undergraduates in research. Students can find resources for funding, publishing, and presenting research projects.
Please contact Dr. Cerrone Foster at fosterc@etsu.edufor more information on the programs listed below.
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Research Discovery Work Study Positions
Available through Federal Work Study (FWS) or Academic Performance Scholarship (APS) programs.
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Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowships
Funds support undergraduate students in completing an immersive summer research project. These fellowships support major research projects in collaboration with an ETSU faculty member and provide $3,000 in scholarship plus up to $500 for supplies. Students receiving the award MUST enroll for at least 1 credit hour during a summer session.
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Student-Faculty Collaborative Grants
Funds support undergraduate students in completing an organized research project. The maximum award per grant is $2,000.
Roan Scholars Leadership Program
The Roan Scholars Leadership Program is a premier scholarship program at East Tennessee State University for students from across our region who have demonstrated the potential and the desire to become exceptional leaders.
Resources to Receive Credits
The Honor Thesis is an in-depth experience, required of all honors scholars, to provide them with opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of their major disciplines, closer intellectual interaction with faculty members and well-rounded preparation of their career goals. The Honors College offers five distinct honors programs to students.
Honors College & Honors Thesis
- Early Assurance Scholars (Freshmen)
- Global Citizen Scholars (Incoming Freshmen)
- Honors-in-Discipline Scholars (Incoming Freshmen, Transfer Students, and Current ETSU students)
Funding for Travel to Present Research
Funds of up to $500 are available.