The Research Girl x YSI Independent Research Group

Note: Mentor applications will close on May 15, at 11:59 PM EST.

Mentee applications will close May 31, at 11:59 PM EST.

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The Research Girl, Inc. Independent Research Mentorship Program is designed for students who are ready to take the next step in their scientific journey by pursuing an independent research project—outside the walls of a traditional lab. This 100% remote program pairs students with experienced researchers who will guide them through the research process, offering mentorship, structure, and support along the way. Whether you're looking to write your first scientific paper, present at a virtual conference, or simply test a hypothesis you’ve been thinking about for years, this program is a chance to bring your research idea to life.

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Mentees must come into the program with a clear scientific question or hypothesis, as well as a proposed methodology. Projects must be feasible to conduct independently and not require access to an academic lab. Examples include data collection from surveys or social media, literature reviews, meta-analyses, and archival research. Students should be open to learning from their mentor and willing to adapt their project based on feedback.

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Summer 2025

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Our Summer 2025 cohort will run from June to August, connecting student researchers to mentors from top scientific institutions around the world. Mentors dedicate at least one hour per week per mentee, providing guidance on experimental design, data collection, analysis, and scientific writing. Mentees will outline their research idea and goals on the application, which will be reviewed to ensure the project is realistic and appropriately scoped for the program.

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Who Can Apply?

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Mentees must:

• Have a clear, independent research idea with a proposed hypothesis and methodology.

• Be able to conduct their project without access to a lab (e.g., using surveys, existing datasets, literature reviews).

• Be willing to grow, learn, and remain open to feedback from their mentor.

• International students welcome, but proficiency in English is required. International mentees should also know that time zone and scheduling difficulties will be taken into account in the application process.

Mentors must:

• Have at least one year of research experience at an accredited lab or institution.

• Be comfortable guiding students through the research lifecycle—from hypothesis formation to data interpretation.

• Preferably have at least one scientific publication.

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Ensuring a Safe and Supportive Mentorship Experience

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At Research Girl, Inc., your safety and success are our top priorities. To ensure all mentees are matched with vetted, trustworthy mentors, there is a $25 membership fee for admitted students. This fee covers the cost of background checks for all mentors and supports program infrastructure.

If the fee presents a financial burden, we offer fee waivers upon request. Please email mentorship@researchgirl.org for more information.

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This is your chance to bring your research idea to life—with expert support and a global community cheering you on. Applications are open for mentors now. We can’t wait to see what you create!