First Year Research Experience

The First Year Research Experience (FYRE) Program supports full-time, degree-seeking, first-year students with opportunities to gain meaningful experience on an entry-level research or creative project. FYRE students are matched with faculty mentors who have projects appropriate to support first-year student learning, requiring little to no prior coursework in the major field. 

Students who engage in research during the first year typically gain:

• The opportunity to participate in the co-creation of new knowledge alongside faculty mentors;
• Deeper understanding of how Nebraska’s research innovations contribute to solving global challenges;
• Gains in career-relevant skills, including goal-setting, problem-solving, critical thinking, ethical awareness, information literacy, writing, presentation, and networking skills;
• A sense of connection and community with research team members, including faculty, staff, graduate students, and other undergraduate researchers;
• Improved knowledge of future career and graduate study options;
• Greater self-awareness and confidence in pursuing academic, professional, and personal goals.

Many FYRE students also have opportunities to present a talk or poster at an academic conference, or to participate in a creative performance or exhibition. FYRE students may also have opportunities to publish their work in academic journals. Members of recent FYRE cohorts also report receiving additional scholarships and fellowships. Since the program’s inception in 2019, more than 45 FYRE students have received UCARE awards to continue research in the second year, and 10 have been selected as Ronald E. McNair Scholars.

For incoming 2026-27 first years, two types of FYRE participation are available:

Paid FYRE employment experiences may be arranged for students who would like to support a research or creative activities job with Federal Work Study awards (a type of financial aid) or funding from the TRIO/Student Support Services program. Paid FYRE employment opportunities are not available to students who do not have a Federal Work Study award or TRIO/SSS membership. During the academic year, FYRE student employees will commit to 5-10 hours per week on their assigned project and will be paid hourly at the Nebraska state minimum wage. In addition to working on their assigned research or creative project, FYRE student employees are required to participate in monthly skill-building events and professional development workshops tailored specifically for student researchers.

Unpaid FYRE research or creative activities may be arranged for students who would like to enroll in a for-credit or zero-credit course meeting Experiential Learning requirements for degree completion. This option may be arranged provided two conditions: 1) there is a clear match with a research mentor who is willing to supervise an unpaid, course-based research experience; and 2) the student is able to enroll in an Experiential Learning course, typically in the student's major or College, which can be paired with the undergraduate research experience. FYRE project and program participation expectations may be modified to reflect the unpaid nature of the research activity and, where necessary, the specifics of the course requirements.

To support their learning and success, both paid and unpaid FYRE participants have access to the same services at the Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, including:

• Matching services (e.g. staff match incoming students with an appropriate mentor and project)
• Monthly research skills or professional development workshops
• Personalized advising services
• Presentation opportunities
• Monthly newsletters for FYRE student researchers

Faculty

The Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, in collaboration with TRIO/Student Support Services, is seeking faculty mentors for the First Year Research Experience (FYRE) cohort for Academic Year 2025-26. Our mentors enjoy the opportunity to build a long-term relationship with students who are genuinely interested in the university’s land-grant research mission.

The FYRE Mentoring Mission

Undergraduate research and first-year experiences are both considered high-impact practices for undergraduate education. FYRE faculty mentors are committed to student success and are interested in designing and guiding research or creative projects specifically for new freshmen. 

In addition to supporting student learning about Nebraska’s culture of research innovation, FYRE mentors support student belongingness in the research environment and all of the university’s Colleges. Through providing meaningful social connection with research teams and co-curricular professional development workshops, FYRE aims to improve freshman student retention from the first to second year, a critical period for college student retention.

Compared to the UNL student population at large, FYRE students are twice as likely to be first generation college students (51% for FYRE, versus 24% for UNL students). Our collaborative efforts with faculty to retain first-generation college students have been immensely successful. In 2021-22, for first-generation, first-time freshmen specifically, the fall-to-spring term retention rate was 96.8% in FYRE, compared to 88.5% in the overall UNL student population.

How do I become a FYRE Mentor?

In late Spring term, prospective faculty mentors submit research or creative project descriptions to the Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships using the FYRE Opportunities form below. To complete the form, you will need a project title and description, potential tasks and responsibilities, desired student qualifications, a mentoring plan, and space for comments. By early June, Undergraduate Research & Fellowships staff post project descriptions to the FYRE Opportunities Directory. In late July, faculty will review applications and return a shortlist to the Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, who will make the final placements. Every effort will be made to make a connection that works for both the faculty mentor and the FYRE student.

FYRE Hourly Positions

Unlike the UCARE stipend-based program, FYRE students are hourly workers and submit timesheets. Because work-study funds are limited, FYRE students are expected to work a consistent schedule of no more than 10 hours weekly. Pay distribution is biweekly. Depending on the student’s funding source, payroll setup is completed by the Big Red Business Center or TRIO program. Once payroll information is entered into the system and the program begins, your FYRE student may view deposit statements and other employment-related information in Firefly.

Mentoring Timeline

In early May, the FYRE Opportunities form opens for faculty to submit project descriptions. By early June, Undergraduate Research & Fellowships staff post project descriptions to the FYRE Opportunities Directory.

From June to mid-July, the Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships and TRIO/SSS promote FYRE Opportunities to incoming freshmen through New Student Enrollment, Husker Hub, Summer Bridge, etc.

In late July, faculty will review applications and return a shortlist to the Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, who will make the final placements. Every effort will be made to make a connection that works for both the faculty mentor and the FYRE student.

In mid-August, FYRE students receive notification of their job matches. Those who accept positions start payroll paperwork. 

In early September (typically the first business day after Labor Day holiday), FYRE work experiences begin. 

In Spring term graduation week, FYRE positions end.

Important Dates

Early June – Faculty Mentor FYRE Opportunities descriptions due

June - mid-July: Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships and TRIO/SSS promote FYRE Opportunities to incoming freshmen through New Student Enrollment, Husker Hub, Summer Bridge, etc.

Mid July – Student applications due

Late July – Application review and ranking

Early August – Placements finalized

Mid-August: – FYRE students and mentors receive notification of matches. 

Mid-August - Big Red Welcome Week: Students who accept matches start payroll paperwork. 

Early September – FYRE student positions & paid training begin (first business day after Labor Day holiday)

Mid-September: Welcome Event

October & November: Skill-Building Workshops & Individual Development Plan Activities

Late December - Early January: Winter Break

February & March: Skill-Building Workshops & Professional Development Activities

Early April: FYRE Mini-Symposium Event

Early May: Faculty mentor recruitment

Mid-May – FYRE student positions end (Spring Commencement Week)