Horizons Competition 2026

Mentor Recruitment

Join us in shaping the next generation of undergraduate researchers! The Horizons Competition, part of USU's 2025 Year of Undergraduate Research, seeks experienced mentors to guide undergraduate teams as they tackle complex, real-world challenges. The competition runs from November until March

Horizons is a competition that invites interdisciplinary teams of 3-6 undergraduates to formulate an entrepreneurial research based proposal for tackling one of our "wicked problems" (think big-picture areas such as climate change, mental health, space travel, cybersecurity, etc.). Teams will present their idea in a shark-tank-style, 10-minute pitch to our panel of expert judges. Importantly, they don’t need to actually conduct the research, so they can think as big, or small, as they would like. More details can be found on our website.

Scholarship Award

$500

for your mentoring service

Application Deadline: December 15th, 2025

About the Role

As a Horizons mentor, you will work with undergraduate research teams during the competition period (December 2025 - January 2026), providing guidance, feedback, and support as they develop solutions to pressing societal challenges.

Time Commitment: Weekly check-ins with your assigned team(s) plus two one-hour training sessions.

Eligibility Criteria

To serve as a Horizons mentor, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Be a currently enrolled graduate student at Utah State University, OR 
  • Have reached the final round of a previous Horizons competition

Additionally, all mentors must:

  • Have previously participated in an Office of Research program, including but not limited to:
    • Previous Horizons competitions
    • Undergraduate Research Fellowship
    • Undergraduate Research & Creative Opportunities grant
    • Peak Summer Research Fellowship
    • Other Office of Research initiatives

Mentor Responsibilities

Selected mentors will be expected to:

  • Check in weekly with assigned team(s) throughout the competition period (November 2025 - March 2026)
  • Attend two one-hour training sessions on effective mentoring practices
  • Complete all required trainings to comply with USU policy
  • Provide guidance on organization, research methods, problem-solving approaches, and presentation skills
  • Offer constructive feedback on team progress, written reports, and presentation rehearsals
  • Maintain confidentiality regarding team ideas and strategies
  • Refrain from directly contributing to or completing work on behalf of the team
  • Record and report meeting times and durations to competition organizers as requested
  • Complete a reflection questionnaire at the conclusion of the competition

Important Note

Any exceptions to these requirements should be requested via email to will.gold@usu.edu. Failure to fulfill the requirements of this agreement may result in the withdrawal of the scholarship payment and potential holds on student accounts.

Financial Award Details

Upon signing the mentorship agreement, the Office of Research will apply the $500 scholarship to your Banner account:

  • If you have an unpaid balance, the scholarship will pay toward that balance first
  • Any remaining amount (or the full $500 if no balance is due) will be disbursed to you
  • Students with direct deposit will receive funds directly; others will receive a mailed check
  • Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks following submission of the signed agreement

Important:
The scholarship is unrestricted and may be spent at your discretion. However, scholarships applied during the academic year may impact previously awarded federal financial aid. If you have received federal grants or loans, please consult with the Financial Aid office before accepting this scholarship.

Required Scholarship Information

Application Deadline

December 15th 2025

Scholarship Appeal Process

If a mentor scholarship application is denied or if a scholarship payment is withdrawn due to non-compliance with the agreement, applicants/recipients may appeal the decision by contacting:

Dr. Alexa Sand
Associate Vice President, Office of Research
Email: alexa.sand@usu.edu

Appeals should be submitted in writing within 10 business days of the decision notification and should include a clear explanation of the grounds for appeal.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Scholarship Committee Members:

  • Dr. Alexa Sand, Associate Vice President, Office of Research
  • William Gold, Program Leader, Office of Research
  • Athena Dupont, Program Coordinator, Office of Research

Committee members affirm that they have no financial or personal conflicts of interest in the selection of Horizons mentors beyond their official capacity in administering the Horizons Competition and USU Office of Research programs. Any potential conflicts will be disclosed, and the affected committee member will recuse themselves from decisions involving that applicant.

Selection Process & Scholarship Criteria

Application is via a Qualtrics form (link below). The form requires candidates to address three short questions (250-350 words) and attach a copy of their CV and USU transcript.

Applications will be reviewed by the Office of Research based on the following criteria:

  • Experience
  • Commitment
  • Communication skills
  • Interest in mentorship

Selected applicants will be notified via email and will receive the mentorship agreement for signature.

Questions?

Contact: William Gold, Program Leader
Email: will.gold@usu.edu

Apply Now

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