Summer Research

Every year students join mentors in disciplines across campus to delve into research through the Summer Hope Academic Research Program (SHARP).

Through SHARP students conduct research with faculty mentors each summer. Students learn cutting edge research techniques, conduct literature reviews, attend seminars, and analyze data. At the same time they engage with other research students across campus with lunches, weekly ice cream socials, and other events planned by individual departments or divisions. Typically research is presented to the larger community through professional conferences, divisional poster sessions, and/or Hope’s annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity.

The SHARP application process allows faculty to submit their project abstracts and students to apply to research in those areas. Many departments use the SHARP application process to match students to projects. In other departments the best way to get involved in summer research is to talk to faculty about your interests and their projects. Talk to faculty or the office manager of your department to find out more.

Annual Timeline for SHARP application process

Some offices do not use the SHARP application system to match mentors and students. If you do not see a project of interest or your department listed, talk to your department's Office Manager or your advisor. Each department determines their own process for hiring, so the timeline below is a guideline only.

Early December: Faculty post summer research opportunities in SHARP and begin discussing research opportunities with possible student collaborators (ongoing).
January: Students apply to posted positions (for departments that use the SHARP application system).
February: Applications are typically due by early February. Specific deadlines are determined by departments.
March: Offer letters and contracts are emailed to the students, typically with stipend amount, confirmation of summer research dates (these will vary with each project), and acceptance information.
End of March (typically): DEADLINE FOR SUMMER HOUSING APPLICATIONS. Each student that plans to live on campus for the summer must submit the online housing application through the Residential Life office. See the Residential Life page for this year's deadline. The 2023 deadline is TBD.
Early May: SHARP Program Manager sends individualized Time and Effort forms to students and their faculty mentors.
May through August: Summer research dates. Dates vary by project, but are typically 4-8 weeks long.
Early to mid June: Responsible Conduct of Research Training, offered to all students and in some cases a requirement for research.
Before the end of August: Faculty sign off on completed student Time & Effort forms and the Program Manager sends a summary of Time & Effort to Human Resources.

Students: How to Get Involved

How to find a mentor or project
Summer Hope Academic Research Program (SHARP) Applications
Check out our list of available projects and apply to summer research projects through the SHARP application system. Keep in mind that not all summer projects are advertised on this system and application deadlines vary, so communication with your department is key.

Students: I've been offered a position, now what?

FORMS

Communication with your hosting department is key. Read the offer letter carefully and respond with your acceptance. Often you will need to fill out other forms as well, including a contract and a health information form. These should be turned in to the Office Manager of your hosting department.

Non-Hope Students will also need to fill out a Health History Form (or a Health History form for International Students) and a TB form for the Health Clinic. If you are an international student from another institution, you will also need to fill out an International Student Arrival Information Form and mail it to the Hope College Paul G. Fried Center for Global Engagement prior to travel.

HOUSING

Are you going to be housed on campus while you research? If so, notify the Office Manager in your hosting department. In addition, you must fill out a Summer Housing Application Form on the Student Housing website by March 31. If you chose to live on campus, half of the cost of your on-campus housing (for up to ten weeks while conducting research) is covered by the college.

HUMAN RESOURCES

You may not have another job at Hope College while you are a full-time research student. In addition, many research contracts may stipulate that no other outside positions are acceptable while conducting research, especially when a second job could impact safety and productivity in the research lab setting.

Forms: If this is your first job at Hope College, you must fill out federal and state employment forms before you can start summer research. Employment forms require proof of identity and authorization to work and must be turned in at Human Resources, located at 100 East 8th Street Suite 210. We also encourage students to sign up for direct deposit through Human Resources.

Payment: Summer research students are paid on a stipend, not hourly. That means that you can expect to get a set amount deposited into your bank account every other week while you are a research student. The full amount of your research stipend will be outlined in your offer letter or contract. If you have any questions about payment, stipened, or payment schedule, contact us at sharp@hope.edu.

Time and Effort: Human Resources requires all summer research students to track the number of hours they work on research over the course of the summer. This will not impact your pay but will be used to ensure college compliance with federal regulations. Time and Effort forms will be emailed to you in early May. These must be completed by you and signed-off on by your faculty mentor by the end of August.

Summer Events

Responsible Conduct of Research Training – TBD for Summer, 2023

Faculty and Staff Resources

Project Abstracts

The 2023 SHARP process is undergoing changes. Please pay attention to this space for updates.

WORKFLOW: FACULTY AND STAFF DUTIES

Workflow is determined by department and is flexible.

Faculty or Office Managers can enter project abstracts through the SHARP Google form.
Students apply (optional -- students may also be directly hired by the office manager).
Faculty determine student hires.
Faculty and Office Managers work together to draft and distribute offer letters and contracts and collect student responses and forms. Office managers and faculty also must check that students have all new hire documents to Human Resources before the start of summer research.
Office Managers hire students through a process to be determined druing the start of the spring semester, 2023. The hiring must be done by mid-April.

The Program Manager for SHARP will:

Send faculty and students individualized Time and Effort forms to track student work time in early May. These will be filled out by students, signed by faculty mentors, and are due electronically in August.
Answer questions and troubleshoot issues with the SHARP database system
Provide templates of forms (contracts or acceptance letters, health forms, etc.), and conduct training for those new to the SHARP application system, as requested.

If you are interested in form templates, have questions about the hiring process, or would like information about training on the SHARP application process, contact Hillary DeBoer, Program Manager for SHARP.

Other Links

Other summer job opportunities

DEPARTMENTAL & DIVISIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Biology – Aaron Best
Chemistry – Kristin Dittenhafer-Reed
Computer Science – Mike Jipping
Engineering – Mike Misovich
GES – Brian Bodenbender
Kinesology – Brian Rider
Mathematics – Paul Pearson
Nursing – Melissa Bouws
Physics – Zachary Williams
Psychology – Charlotte vanOyen-Witvliet
Sociology & Social Work – Aaron Franzen
Social Sciences – Alyssa Cheadle
Arts & Humanities – Curtis Gruenler