Joining Vertically Integrated Projects

We're so happy that you're interested in learning more about joining a VIP team!

Students on VIP teams work with lots of others, such as faculty, fellow students, other collaborators, etc., on important research projects. We encourage participation for several semesters if not years. Students earn academic credit for participation through the RES 4000 or RES 7000 course.

Below, we've described the program benefits and requirements in a little more detail, but if you have any other questions, please email our@kennesaw.edu. 

ksu student using a computer.

 

Student Applicant Information

How do students get involved in a project?

Descriptions of each project are located on the teams page. If you have questions, contact the Primary Investigator (PI) on the project you wish to join to learn more about the project and you should complete the application form. 

Once you are selected to join a particular project, you will be enrolled in RES 4000 or RES 7000, which is the KSU course designated for VIP academic credit. Talk to the PI of the project regarding how many credits this course will be. 

What students do as part of their VIP project?

Tasks vary depending on a lot of factors, such as what discipline the project is in, what level you are, what stage the project is in, etc.

All students are required present their research at the Symposium of Student Scholars and write a reflection about their experience.

Other tasks will be decided on in consultation with the Primary Investigator (PI) and other team members.

What are the benefits of VIP for students?

There are numerous benefits associated with involvement in research in general. For example, students who participate in research have been shown to have the following:

  • Improved written and oral communication skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Problem solving
  • Acquiring information independently
  • Analyzing literature critically
  • Developing intellectual curiosity
  • Academic and professional socialization
  • Having better credentials for grad school/careers
  • Success in graduate school

There is also research on the benefits of VIP participation in general.

For example, VIP provides a way for students to participate in large-scale research projects for several semesters. Students who participate for longer periods of time are likely to see improved gains in all of the above areas as they gain expertise in the research experience. In addition, because VIP is a team-based research experience, students will learn more about how to effectively work in teams.

Students will also get to know their faculty mentor and other project leaders, who ideally can write letters of recommendations for graduate school and jobs later on. 

Are there any restrictions for students?

We encourage students to be on any team that interests them.

The VIP program is open to all students of all majors at all levels. You can join teams that are in your major or outside of your major, although we advise you to consult with your academic advisor regarding how VIP credit can fit into your degree program. 

Some of the project descriptions may target students in particular majors, but if you're interested in joining a project and your major isn't listed, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Primary Investigator (PI) to see if you might be a good fit. Often, students' backgrounds, interests, and enthusiasm may make them a good fit even if their major is not listed.

What is the overall timeline of a VIP experience like for a student in a given semester?

Students in their first semester of a VIP project will be oriented to the topic and the project. You can likely expect to read journal articles on the topic, engage in safety training or human subjects ethics training (if applicable), and learn how to use equipment or design studies.

Once you've gotten more familiar with the project and the topic, you may do more advanced work. Students who have been on a VIP team for a few semesters may be asked to take on leadership roles, helping to mentor newer students on the project. Students who have been on a VIP team for multiple years may be doing independent work that can become a capstone project or senior thesis.

Ready to apply?

We are so glad you are interested in joining a VIP team!

The application is made available on the InfoReady platform, along with other applications for the Office of Undergraduate Research's programs.

The Fall 2026 application is open from Thursday, March 19, 2026 until Monday, August 24, 2026, which coincides with the first day of school. 

Students will have enough time to register for an RES section by or before the add/drop deadline on Friday, August 28th. The Office of the Registrar maintains those dates for each semester on the academic calendar.

The application will close on Monday, August 24, 2026 at 11:59pm. 

Apply Here

Resources

Below are some resources for students involved in VIP teams.

  • Video Series: The Office of Undergraduate Research has provided several short videos on undergraduate research topics, including an overview of the research process, locating sources, developing a research question, writing abstracts, creating posters and oral presentations for conferences, and much more. 

  • Online Resources: This is a list of online resources on undergraduate research topics from the Office of Undergraduate Research

  • Presenting & Publishing: There are numerous presentation and publication opportunities for your work, including KSU's Symposium of Student Scholars, the Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research, the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, the Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference, Posters on the Hill, and Posters at the Georgia State Capitol.
ksu students in a field.
  • Funding: The Office of Undergraduate Research provides funding for student researchers through the URCA (Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities) program. 

  • Undergraduate Research Club (URC): URC is a Registered Student Organization that is free and open to any undergraduates with any interest in research. 

  • Join the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR): CUR is the national organization supporting undergraduate research. It is free for all KSU faculty, staff, and students to join, as we are an enhanced institutional member. CUR provides resources for faculty and students, including some funding. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • All accepted students will enroll in RES 4000/RES 7000 as part of the VIP experience, for a variable number of credits depending on the workload.

    The VIP Consortium discourages “volunteers," requiring that students earn academic credit and a grade as part of their in-person participation in VIP. 

    We encourage PIs to ensure that any KSU students that join mid-term submit an official application and are registered for the RES course for the next available semester; they must enroll in RES4000 or RES7000 each semester. They will not retroactively receive academic credit for research done as a volunteer, only as an officially enrolled student.

  • The Primary Investigator (PI) of each team creates a syllabus for their section of RES 4000 or RES 7000, which explains the grading requirements. Students may be graded on the quality of their work on the project, their performance on a team, their attendance/participation in team meetings, and possible outputs such as a final poster, oral presentation, and/or paper.

    Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and students should consult the VIP Team PI for specific information.

  • The Symposium of Student Scholars is a requirement because the VIP teams should be sharing their research with the greater KSU community so that we may be informed of the great work that is being done. This also provides an opportunity for the VIP Teams recruit other students who may not be aware of the program.

    Other dissemination activities are also encouraged but will be decided in consultation between the PI and team. However, external dissemination cannot substitute your team’s presence at KSU’s Symposium, but it can supplement the accomplishments of your team. 

    The VIP program supports the mission to increase student participation in engaged learning opportunities, including undergraduate research. In order for undergraduate research courses to count towards this initiative, they must meet several criteria, including public presentation or publication of the research. 

    There are benefits to these criteria. For example, research has shown that public dissemination of work encourages students to work harder, and the practice helps them improve their communication skills. 

  • In order for undergraduate research courses to count towards this initiative, they must meet several criteria, including having a reflection at the end of the semester.