ABSTRACT
Sponsored research is commonly referred to as work that is externally funded and guided by contract. “Sponsored projects” differ drastically from what university “sponsored research” departments typically contend with. Students in sponsored projects are motivated to jump right into the issue and learn on their feet. Students in sponsored projects interact not only with their team members and advisers but also with the world outside the university walls. Work on projects sponsored by various organizations allows first-year students to see themselves as more than novice researchers. Contextual sensitivity and attention to cultural differences that sponsored work develops in students translate into a respectful regard for differences in ideologies, cultures, and economic standing. Potential sponsors appear as guest speakers during the formative lecture period, and such appearances often end with suggestions of topics for future research.
