Prospective Fellows

URS hires Research Fellows each spring. Applications will next be open in spring 2024. Watch this page for more information. 

In spring 2023, applications opened on Friday, January 27th. Completed applications were due by Monday, March 20th. Interviews were conducted in early April and new Fellows signed contracts during the last week of April.

General URS Fellows Timeline:

• Fall Contributions: All Fellows must submit 1 curriculum contribution during the summer.
• Fellows Training: All Fellows must attend Fellows Training during the last week of August.
• Fall Fellows Class: All new Fellows must register for Inter-LS 315: Paradigms and Process in Academic Inquiry which meets on Mondays during the fall semester from 4:30-6:30 pm.
• Spring Contributions: All Fellows must submit 1-2 curriculum contributions in early January.
• Fellows Training Refresher: All Fellows must attend a 1 day Spring Training the week before spring semester begins.
• URS Reception: URS celebrates a successful academic year with a reception at the end of spring semester. All graduating or non-returning Fellows are asked to speak.

• Four or more semesters of college by the beginning of appointment.
• Good academic standing (GPA of 3.0 or above).
• One year (or 2 semesters) of research/creative practice experience.
• Must enroll in Inter-LS 315 (Mondays 4:30 – 6:30 pm) for the fall semester.
• Must be available on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 6:30 pm for the full academic year. This time period includes the weekly URS staff meeting and the Inter-LS 250 URS seminar.

• Participate in a remote (Canvas-based) summer training. This Canvas course takes approximately 25 hours.
• Take part in trainings at the start of each semester. Prior to the fall semester, we host a week-long training. This training offers sessions on leadership skills, community building, organizing small group discussions, research ethics and responsibilities, professional conduct, and program administration. There will also be considerable time set aside for getting to know one another as friends and colleagues.
• Register for Inter L&S 315: Paradigms and Process in Academic Inquiry during the fall semester (only). This two credit seminar is from 4:30 to 6:30 pm every Monday.
• Attend regular staff meetings from 4:00-5:00 pm on Wednesday afternoons before seminar.
• Partner with another Fellow to lead a small group of 15-18 URS students who will gather from 5:30-6:30 pm on Wednesdays to discuss issues related to research and creative practice, and share strategies on successfully managing early college years
• Plan seminar objectives and choose seminar topics with co-Fellow.
• Develop weekly class plans with co-Fellow for Inter-LS 250 class.
• Provide guidance to and keep in regular contact with URS Scholars.
• Review and provide feedback on URS Scholar assignments.
• Serve as the link between the URS Staff and the Scholars.
• Represent URS at various campus functions.
• Participate as needed in the general operation of the URS Program, contributing ideas & learning activities and providing feedback on trainings and workshops.
• URS Research Fellows work an average of 10 hrs/week.

• First-year Fellows all take the course Inter-LS 315: Paradigms and Process in Academic Inquiry taught by URS Director Hannah Bailey. All new Research Fellows are required to register for this 2-credit seminar only during the fall semester on Mondays from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.
• The course is designed to support URS Research Fellows in their mentoring and address problems and questions in a way that recognizes and analyzes the assumptions, rules, and standards—or paradigms—of research, academic facilitation, and mentorship.
• This course will provide new Fellows with the chance to develop and challenge the way they think and learn to better conduct their mentoring in Inter L&S 250.

• Must be able to work in a flexible environment.
• Should have experience in research or a creative endeavor and/or have experience in leadership roles.
• Should be resourceful and able to take initiative.
• Should have a good sense of the enrichment opportunities available on the UW-Madison campus or know how to find such information.
• Should have strong skills in interpersonal communication, including effective use of email.
• Must have personal and professional integrity.
• Should be comfortable leading small groups of students.
• Must be able to meet deadlines associated with URS administration and seminars.