During a government shutdown, agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) generally pause new grant awards, proposal reviews, and program launches. Institutions with existing federal research awards may still be able to draw down previously obligated funds, but technical assistance, progress reviews, and application processing are typically suspended.

According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), most federal research staff and grant managers are classified as nonessential and furloughed, resulting in delays that can extend well beyond the shutdown itself. Past shutdowns have led to cancellations of reserved time on national lab instruments, closures of field research sites on federal lands, etc.

The impact on undergraduate research is not yet clear, but students applying for NSF, NIH or other federally supported programs might experience delays in response times to email and program timelines might change. UROP advises students involved in projects to stay in communication with project mentors and be attentive to program websites for updates.

Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder’s administration is working to minimize disruptions to research and other grant-supported activities. In the unlikely event that students with UROP funding experience changes in their ability to accomplish project goals, such as the availability of mentors and/or resources, UROP will not withdraw previously awarded funding.
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Learning Outcomes

Mentor's Questions

ÌýÌý(3/4)

Rate your confidence in your mentee:

for Research Projects

  1. My mentee understands relevant contemporary concepts in their field of study (major)--the assumptions, vocabulary, theories, etc.
  2. My mentee can make use of relevant primary research literature in their field of study (major)--e.g. journal articles--synthesizing in-depth information from sources representing various points of view and approaches.
  3. My mentee can identify a specific question for investigation based on the literature in their field of study (major).
  4. My mentee can design an experiment or theoretical test of a hypothesis, critically evaluating methods and materials.
  5. My mentee can organize and synthesize evidence to reveal insightful patterns, differences, or similarities.
  6. My mentee can state a conclusion that is a logical extrapolation from project results.
  7. My mentee can relate results/conclusions to the "bigger picture" in their field of study (major), situating it appropriately with similar studies.
  8. My mentee can assess the limitations and/or implications (ethical and otherwise) of their project.
  9. My mentee can orally communicate the results of their project.
  10. My mentee can write a paper for publication with an understanding of the ethical and legal restrictions on the use of published, confidential, and/or proprietary information.

for Creative Projects

  1. My mentee understands relevant contemporary concepts in their field of study (major)--the assumptions, vocabulary, genres, oeuvres, media, etc.
  2. My mentee can make use of relevant theoretical, aesthetic, or creative traditions in their field of study (major), synthesizing in-depth information from sources representing various points of view and approaches. Ìý ÌýÌý
  3. My mentee can clearly state the objectives, point of curiosity, hypothesis/question, or guiding principles of their work. Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
  4. My mentee can design a project to accomplish specific objectives, evaluating methods and materials. Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌý
  5. My mentee can execute the creative process according to the professional standards in their field of study (major). ÌýÌý
  6. My mentee can analyze and interpret the significance of their work.
  7. My mentee can relate my work to the "bigger picture" in their field of study (major), situating it appropriately with other work of its kind.
  8. My mentee can assess the limitations and/or implications (ethical and otherwise) of their work. Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
  9. My mentee can orally communicate the significance of their work. Ìý Ìý
  10. My mentee can perform/exhibit my work according to the professional standards in their field of study (major), understanding the ethical and legal restrictions on the use of published, confidential, and/or proprietary information.

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