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Rocky Top Research Coaches (RTRC)

The Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships proudly offers the Rocky Top Research Coaches (RTRC) program to enhance the mentoring skills of graduate students who are guiding undergraduate researchers. The RTRC initiative funds graduate students who mentor undergraduates hired by faculty researchers through the Summer FRAF program. Awardees will receive $1,000 for completing a four-week research mentor training program. 

The application for Summer 2024 RTRC has closed, please check back next summer.

History 

Launched in the summer of 2022, the RTRC program initially involved six faculty members (SURGE Leaders) overseeing four research projects (SURGE Programs), which supported seven graduate students (Rocky Top Research Coaches) in mentoring 23 undergraduate students (SURGE Participants). Based on feedback from this pilot phase, the program was expanded in the summer of 2023 to include more graduate students working with FRAF faculty. For the upcoming summer of 2024, the program will be further refined by updating the application process and requiring graduate students working with FRAF recipients to apply directly for the training. 

Application Process & Schedule 

Graduate students interested in this funded training program should review the guidelines below and apply by following this link. 

  • Application Deadline: June 14th, 2024 
  • Training Period: July 1st to July 31st 

Guidelines 

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria: 

  • Be a graduate student employed by a faculty member who has received a Summer 2024 FRAF. 
  • Be present in Knoxville during the training period. 
  • Submit the application personally. 

Selected graduate students are required to 

  • Complete training modules, including any associated activities, via Canvas. 
  • Participate in two virtual group meetings. 
  • Attend two debriefing and advising sessions with the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Research (either virtually or in-person). 
  • Assist a FRAF-funded undergraduate in preparing a research poster for Discovery Day in early September 2024. 
  • Complete pre-and post-surveys to evaluate the training programFor more information and to apply, please follow the link.