Experience Circles

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Experience Circles Program

The Experience Circles program provides funding, resources, and mentorship to support undergraduate engineering students in completing personal projects and research goals. This program empowers students to delve into their personal engineering interests while gaining practical skills and real-world experience through project-based learning guided by an employer (or faculty) mentor. 

 

The sign up deadline is Monday, September 2nd at 11:59 p.m. Please sign up online via https://cglink.me/2uB/s1092.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Robyn Williams at robynw@uark.edu.

 

Submission Requirements

Budget Form, Current Resume, and Completion of Application. Click here for more information regarding application preparation, forms, and proposal guidelines. 

 

Program Details

  • Up to $500 will be awarded to cover materials and other items needed to complete accepted projects or research (for all groups AND individual projects or research).  
  • Students will receive a $350 stipend, which will be deposited into their University of Arkansas account to compensate them for their time and work.   
    • If students work as a group, each student will receive a $350 stipend.  
  • Students may submit a proposal to complete a personal project OR conduct personal research.  
  • Students will be paired with an industry professional (employer) who will provide guidance, feedback, and support throughout the duration of the experience.
    • The steering committee will pair students and mentors based on the mentor's background and expertise related to the student project or research topic. 

 

Eligibility

  • College of Engineering (including data science and computer science) undergraduate students who are in good standing with the university
  • Projects and research must have a STEM focus.
  • Group projects and research may only include a maximum of 3 students. 

 

Important Program Dates 

  • Mentor and Student Orientation: Thursday, September 5th at 5:30 p.m.
  • Project Duration: September  – November 
  • Final Deliverables Due: Wednesday, December 4th
  • Spring 2025 - Optional: All project participants will be invited to showcase your project or research at the End of the Year event in April (date to be shared later) 

 

Important Information

  • Please note that applying does not guarantee your participation in this program. Final mentor and student pairings will be confirmed by Wednesday, September 4th.
  • Preference will be given to students with low experiential engagement, GPAs of 2.8 or lower, and limited access to resources.

Thanks to Our Employer Partners!