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Empowering Student Innovation

»Wilkinson Interterm Research Experience (WIRE)

A Paid, Four-Week Research Opportunity in January

The Wilkinson Interterm Research Experience (WIRE) is a paid, four-week program held on campus during the January Interterm. It offers Wilkinson College undergraduate students (majors and minors) the opportunity to engage in hands-on research or creative activity under the guidance of a Wilkinson faculty mentor.

Students can:

  • Propose and lead their own research or creative project

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a Wilkinson College undergraduate major or minor
  • Must be in good academic standing
  • No prior research experience required
  • Students may propose any project, but priority will be given to projects not directly related to senior thesis/capstones.
  • WIRE awards are open to Wilkinson College undergraduates who demonstrate curiosity, creativity, and a desire to challenge the norms traditionally expected of their major through innovative research or creative projects.

Faculty Mentors:

  • Must be full-time Chapman faculty with a full or joint appointment in Wilkinson College
  • Part-time or adjunct faculty are not eligible to serve as mentors

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Key Dates

  • Application Opens: Aug. 25, 2025
  • Information Session: Sept. 16, 2025, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. OR 3-4 p.m., Roosevelt Hall 121
  • Finding a WIRE Mentor Drop-Ins: Sept. 17, 2025, 2-4 p.m., Roosevelt Hall 121
  • Mentoring Student Projects (faculty only): Sept. 24, 2025, 12-1 p.m., Roosevelt Hall 121
  • Grant Writing 101: Oct. 2, 2025, 2-3 p.m., Roosevelt Hall 121
  • Application Deadline: Oct. 17, 2025 (decisions announced around Oct. 31, 2025)
  • Program Dates: Jan. 5– 30, 2026
  • Orientation: Jan. 5, 2026 (mandatory for faculty and students)
  • Professional Development Seminars and Field Trip: Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, 2026 (Wednesdays, with lunch, sessions will begin at noon for 2.5 - 4 hours, depending on the topic)
  • Bagels and Coffee with the Dean: Jan.12, 2026, 10-11:30 a.m.
  • WIRE Research Showcase Presentations: January 30, 2026, 12-2:30 p.m.

Application Requirements

Student Submission:

Project Description (3 pages max):
If you are a senior, please explain how this project differs from your senior capstone or thesis.

  • Clearly define the project’s purpose, goals, methodology, and benefits.
  • Write for a broad audience outside your field and explain how the project will be completed in four weeks.
  • Use 12-point Times or Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins. All proposal elements, including works cited, must fit within the three-page limit.
  • The proposal must be authored by the student, though mentors may provide guidance. 
  • Submit all documents as PDFs.

Faculty Submission:

Letter of Support:

  • The faculty mentor must submit a letter detailing the project, their role, and the student’s preparation.
  • The letter should focus on the collaboration, providing context for the project’s value and explaining how the mentor will guide the student’s work during the program.
  • The letter must be written by the faculty mentor and given to the student to submit with application.

Program Requirements

Student Responsibilities:

  • Attend the Welcome Orientation (January 2026)
  • Participate in 4 Professional Development meetings
  • Dedicate at least 30 hours per week to the project
  • Submit a detailed project schedule 
  • Meet regularly with the faculty mentor
  • Submit Weekly Progress Reports documenting research activity
  • Cannot enroll in any courses during the program
  • Give a brief presentation of the project at the WIRE Research Showcase
  • Complete a program assessment survey

Faculty Responsibilites:

  • Mentor only one project (mentors can have multiple mentees apply, but only one mentee per faculty member will be awarded)
  • Can teach Interterm course, but not a travel course
  • Attend the Welcome Orientation and Student Presentations
  • Meet regularly with the student and verify weekly student progress reports in Canvas
  • Assist student with IRB approvals as necessary
  • Meet with mentee at least twice per week

Program Benefits

Student Benefits:

  • $2,000 fellowship
  • One-on-one mentorship with faculty
  • Weekly professional development meetings
  • Social events
  • Up to $500 in research funds via the Undergraduate Student Research Grant

Faculty Benefits:

  • $500 stipend
  • Opportunity to mentor a highly motivated student on a research/creative project

Important Information


  • Only one application per student
  • Projects involving human or animal subjects may require IRB approval before the start of the program
  • Late applications will not be considered
  • Independent projects will receive priority over those connected to or part of a senior capstone or thesis

Submit the following application following these guidelines to participate in this unique research experience.

FAQs

Can I take a class in Interterm? No – WIRE fellows cannot take any classes during Interterm, even a 1-unit class, and be in the WIRE program.

Do I need a mentor identified before I apply?
Yes – the application requires you to identify your mentor. If you need help finding a mentor, please complete this form, attend our drop-in session on finding a WIRE mentor, or visit the CUE Undergraduate Faculty Mentor Directory for a partial list of potential mentors.

My project has material expenses. Am I able to request reimbursement?
Yes – WIRE fellows can apply for up to $500 in research funds via the Undergraduate Student Research Grant

Can I apply for a project connected to my capstone or thesis?
Yes, but independent projects will receive priority over those connected to or part of a senior capstone or thesis. Seniors should explain how this project differs from the senior capstone or thesis in the project description.

 

Past Proposal Examples

WIRE Students' Experiences in Their Own Words

Amala Rajagopal
Amala Rajagopal
Amala Rajagopal (‘25 History and Philosophy, Women’s and Gender Studies minor)
One of my biggest goals for my years in college was to conduct my own research. Over January’s Interterm, I participated in the inaugural Wilkinson Interterm Research Experience (WIRE), a 4-week research project alongside 10 other students.
Read about Amala's research in Tracing History and Ideology!
Emily McEachin
Emily McEachin
Emily McEachin (‘25 English and Environmental Studies minor)

Over the January Interterm, I had the rare luxury of devoting 30 hours a week entirely to my research project, “Analyzing and Applying Shared Elements of Climate Fiction" ...

 

Read about Emily's research on Analyzing Emotions in Cli-Fi!

Need a faculty mentor?

Dr. Joshua Liashenko with Bradley Carol
2025 WIRE faculty mentor Dr. Joshua Liashenko (Sociology) with WIRE student fellow Bradley Carol (’26 Psychology, Anthropology minor, Asian American Studies minor)