Parent/Guardian Terms of Service & Enrollment Agreement

1. Program Overview & Experience Types

Science Research Academy (SRA) offers application-based research experiences that align directly with the opportunities listed on www.scienceresearchacademy.com. Students do not enroll in a general program; instead, they apply to a specific experience advertised on the SRA website.

Each experience listing on the SRA website serves as the controlling description for:

• Research topic and scope

• Expected commitment level

• Anticipated (but not guaranteed) duration

• Mentor involvement and format

• Deliverables or suggested outcomes

SRA currently offers the following experience types:

• On-Demand Research Experiences

On-Demand Research Experiences are flexible, rolling-start opportunities listed on the SRA website. These experiences:

• Are typically conducted remotely

• Are designed to fit alongside a student’s existing academic schedule

• Do not operate on a cohort or fixed calendar

• May list an estimated duration or milestone structure when known

Students apply directly to a specific On-Demand listing. If accepted and successfully matched with the listed researcher after an interview, the student may begin work.

• Summer Research Experiences

Summer Research Experiences are seasonal opportunities listed on the SRA website with a summer focus. These experiences:

• Are intended to take place primarily during the summer months

• May include suggested timelines, milestones, or availability windows

• Still vary in duration based on project scope, mentor expectations, and student progress

Students must apply, interview, and be accepted for each Summer Research Experience individually.

• Custom Research Experiences

Custom Research Experiences are bespoke offerings in which SRA Staff work directly with the student to:

• Clarify research interests and goals

• Identify and secure an appropriate mentor

• Coordinate expectations and design a customized research plan

Because Custom Research Experiences are individualized, scope, duration, and structure are determined collaboratively and may differ significantly from listed On-Demand or Summer opportunities.

Acceptance into a Custom Research Experience is contingent upon mentor availability and mutual agreement among all parties.

2. Program Duration & Timeline Expectations

SRA experiences do not follow a fixed program length.

By enrolling, the Parent/Guardian acknowledges that:

• The duration of each research experience varies based on project scope, discipline, mentor availability, and student progress.

• A projected or estimated timeline may be listed in the research opportunity description when known, but timelines are not guaranteed.

• Some projects may conclude earlier or extend longer than initially anticipated.

• Completion of the research experience is defined by fulfillment of the agreed-upon research objectives, not by a preset number of weeks or months.

SRA does not guarantee completion by a specific competition, publication, or deadline unless explicitly stated in writing.

3. Acceptance, Matching & Enrollment

By enrolling, the Parent/Guardian understands that:

• Acceptance into an SRA experience is not automatic and is contingent upon application review, interview performance, and mentor availability.

• Mentor matching is a mutual-fit process and requires agreement from both the student and the researcher.

• SRA Staff reserve final authority over acceptance decisions, mentor placement, and experience structure.

If a student is not accepted or a suitable mentor match cannot be secured, SRA will outline next steps, which may include alternative opportunities or, when applicable, a refund in accordance with Section 11.

4. Student-Driven Research Expectations

SRA is founded on the principle that authentic research must be student-driven.

The Parent/Guardian agrees that:

• The student is responsible for taking primary ownership of their research project.

• All research work—including literature review, experimentation, analysis, writing, presentations, and mentor communication—must be completed by the student.

• Parents/guardians may offer encouragement and logistical support but may not direct, write, edit, manage, or influence the research.

• SRA Staff and mentors provide guidance, feedback, and oversight but do not perform research on behalf of students.

5. Meetings, Check-Ins & Participation Requirements

Depending on the experience type, students may be required to:

• Attend scheduled meetings or interviews with their assigned mentor.

• Participate in periodic check-ins, reflections, or progress updates facilitated by SRA Staff.

• Respond to mentor and SRA communications in a timely and professional manner.

Failure to meaningfully participate, repeated non-responsiveness, or failure to meet agreed-upon responsibilities may result in removal from the experience without refund.

6. Mentor Role & Limitations

Mentors participating in SRA experiences:

• Serve as subject-matter advisors and research guides.

• Are not employees of SRA and may have limited availability.

• Are not responsible for ensuring project completion, competition readiness, or outcomes.

Mentor changes are not guaranteed and will only be considered in cases of documented concern or incompatibility, as determined by SRA Staff.

7. No Guarantee of In-Person Research

SRA does not guarantee in-person or on-site research opportunities.

• Most research collaborations occur virtually.

• Any in-person component depends entirely on mentor location, institutional policies, safety considerations, and external approvals.

8. No Guarantee of Competition, Publication, or Advancement Outcomes

While SRA supports students in producing high-quality research:

• Acceptance into science fairs, journals, or competitions is not guaranteed.

• Awards, rankings, advancement, or publication decisions are made by external bodies beyond SRA’s control.

9. Academic Integrity & Ethical Conduct

Parents/guardians agree to uphold SRA’s academic integrity standards, including:

• All submitted work must be the student’s own.

• No ghostwriting, parent-completed work, or unapproved AI-generated content may be presented as student work.

• Students must follow ethical research practices, including proper citation, data integrity, and mentor acknowledgment.

Violations may result in immediate removal from the experience without refund.

10. Communication Expectations

• Primary communication occurs directly between SRA and the student.

• Parents/guardians may contact SRA Staff for administrative or program-level concerns.

• Parents/guardians may not contact mentors directly unless explicitly authorized by SRA.

11. Fees, Refunds & Withdrawal

By enrolling, the Parent/Guardian acknowledges that:

• Fees correspond to access to an accepted research experience, mentor coordination, and SRA support—not guaranteed outcomes or timelines.

• Once a student has been accepted and the research experience has begun, all fees are non-refundable.

• If a student is not accepted or a mentor match cannot be secured prior to the start of research, refund eligibility will be communicated in writing by SRA.

Early withdrawal, lack of engagement, or scheduling conflicts do not qualify for refunds or partial credits.

12. Removal From an Experience

SRA reserves the right to remove a student from an experience, without refund, if:

• Academic integrity is violated.

• The student fails to engage meaningfully or meet agreed-upon responsibilities.

• The student or parent interferes with the mentor relationship or research process.

• Inappropriate, unethical, or disruptive conduct occurs.

13. Liability & Safety

Parents/guardians acknowledge that:

• SRA does not provide laboratory space, equipment, or materials.

• Any experimentation conducted at home or off-site is done at the family’s discretion and risk.

• Families are responsible for appropriate supervision, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance.

14. Media & Promotional Release

By signing up for the Science Research Academy (SRA), Parents/guardians consent to allow SRA to use student photos, project summaries, achievements, or video clips for promotional or educational purposes. Should a parent/guardian wish to opt out, this must be done in writing and sent to contact@scienceresearchacademy.com.

15. Agreement & Electronic Signature

By submitting payment and enrolling, the Parent/Guardian confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms of Service. The typed name provided at checkout constitutes a legally binding electronic signature.