The MSGC Apprenticeship Program is an opportunity for Montana students enrolled full-time at all member institutions working in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to receive funding to work on a major research project with an advisor on their campus. MSGC Apprenticeships are intended to be next steps after smaller undergraduate research projects (see ARES project information) and can take place during the academic year or summer (as long as the student will be enrolled in the next academic year). Students accepted into the Apprenticeship Program are expected to devote a significant amount of time to their projects, at least 160 hours and up to 400 hours. Pay is $17.50/hour.

Funded MSGC students are required, as part of their award, to give an oral or poster presentation (please fill out this Submittable form  to allow MSGC staff the opportunity to attend your presentation).

To apply for the MSGC Apprenticeship Program please fill out an application form and submit it to the MSGC office along with:

  • 2-4 page research proposal that includes the following:
    • Title section: student name, mentor's name, institution, and research project title
    • Introduction/Background: motivation for why the work needs to be done and/or statement of the problem
    • Objectives/Methods/Tasks: what will be done and how
    • Timeline, expected number of hours needed for each objective/task, and the number of overall hours
    • References (research journal articles, websites, mentor publications, etc.)
  • Resume or CV
  • Unofficial college transcript
  • Recommendation letter from research advisor. If you need to resubmit the request, please follow the directions on How do I resend or change a reference request?

Apprenticeship applications are evaluated on a rolling deadline. Please allow 1 month for review.

If you are awarded an apprenticeship, you must complete the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training course. Select either Physical Sciences RCR or Engineering RCR options, depending on your research. 

A final report of at least 2 pages must be completed at the end of the term as well. Submit final report via this Submittable link.