As preparations begin for the 2025-26 program cycle, the UCARE team is sharing valuable insights and resources with instructors to enhance student applications and make mentoring experiences a success. Visit the program's refreshed website and mentor resources to gain a comprehensive understanding of what the program has to offer.
Through UCARE, students gain a deeper understanding of global and national challenges, acquire career-relevant skills, foster a sense of community, and expand their knowledge of future career options. Current teammates Jasmine Pham and Joe Stalder, under the mentorship of Paul Hanson, professor of geology, and Jim Benes, geography doctoral student, leveraged UCARE to develop a research project on understanding Nebraska fire history that may help inform management and mitigation strategies at the policy level.
UCARE provides financial support through stipends or Federal Work-Study funding, available to full-time students with a minimum GPA of 2.75. This funding enables undergraduates to propose original research or creative projects, fostering hands-on training and mentor relationships. UCARE faculty mentors play a pivotal role in guiding students through project benchmarks, providing proposal feedback, and encouraging participation in UCARE events and project dissemination.
Instructors considering becoming a mentor can submit project opportunities online. Applications for the 2025-26 cycle are due Feb. 12. Students eager to participate can find detailed application information on the UCARE webpage, along with insights into current project opportunities and tips for crafting successful proposals. They can also make an advising appointment to discuss the program and application process at length.
Questions about the program can be directed to ucare@unl.edu.
More details at: https://uraf.unl.edu/