UROP Expands Mentor Eligibility Criteria

In Spring 2024, UROP is introducing a broad expansion of its eligibility criteria for mentors of UROP-funded students. Eligible mentors now include:

1. All UHM faculty regardless of tenure status (I/R/S/B/A/J/M tenured, tenure-track, and non–tenure track faculty) OR
2. Anyone else who has submitted and been granted a UROP Mentor Eligibility Petition (for faculty affiliates, lecturers, postdocs, etc.).

Mentorship is one of the four components of undergraduate research and creative work—along with original and authentic inquiry, disciplinarily appropriate methodology, and dissemination—that shape UROP’s programming. Undergraduate students who wish to apply for any of UROP’s funding opportunities need the endorsement of an eligible mentor, and prospective applicants to UROP’s Mentoring Grant for Summer Undergraduate Research and Creative Work must also meet the same eligibility criteria.

“UHM undergraduate students are at the forefront of our minds as we implement this exciting change,” said UROP Assistant Director Seung Yang. “The expanded UROP mentor eligibility criteria increase the number of eligible mentors for students by more than 60%,” he continued, “thereby making UROP-funded research and creative work a more accessible component of the undergraduate experience at UHM. Additionally, our broadened criteria also aim to empower mentors who would not otherwise be able to formally mentor UROP-funded students. This decision was facilitated by feedback from many members of the UHM community who already mentor students but were previously ineligible to mentor UROP students in an official capacity.”

“Mentors provide guidance, advice, expertise, supervision, and resources to undergraduate students conducting research and creative work,” said UROP Director Creighton Litton. “Our expansion of the mentor eligibility criteria aims to bring UROP’s programming into better alignment with the diversity of UHM personnel, all with different professional profiles, who are already providing direction and support to undergraduate researchers and artists.”

The new eligibility criteria was discussed rigorously and established by the OVPRS, UROP, and UROP’s 20-member UHM faculty council. They also build upon UROP’s long-standing efforts to expand the number of mentors for UROP students and create more opportunities for mentorship, including the creation of the Mentor Eligibility Petition in 2020.