Program Overview
The Paperleap Student Ambassador Program is a leadership initiative for motivated students enrolled in universities and research organizations worldwide. The goal of this program is to disseminate research in undergraduate and graduate institutions, promote open access to knowledge, encourage collaboration across disciplines, and help fellow students and researchers connect with global opportunities in science and scholarship.
The Paperleap Student Ambassador Program is a voluntary, unpaid opportunity designed to support students’ professional growth and leadership development. By joining the program, students build professional networks, develop leadership and communication skills, and contribute to the mission of disseminating research and supporting interdisciplinary collaboration.
Roles & responsibilities
Students participating in the ambassador program are asked to be actively engaged in promoting research at their institutions. As a student ambassador, you are invited to organize initiatives and activities such as the following.
- Campus events, including info sessions, workshops, or discussions on research or topics relevant to science.
- Clubs and community building activities such as a student organization or club.
- Outreach initiatives like recording short videos about science, interviewing faculty and student researchers.
- Impact projects such as hackathons, science fairs, and other collaborative projects.
Ambassadors are encouraged, but not required, to propose and organize initiatives that promote research. Taking on such initiatives is entirely optional, but students who do so will gain valuable leadership and event management experience, build relationships within their academic community, create valuable connections for their future endeavors, and strengthen their portfolio and CV with demonstrated impact.
Upon joining the ambassador program, students will be provided with onboarding resources and training to facilitate their initiatives.
All ambassadors, regardless of their level of involvement, will still benefit from Paperleap’s recognition, training opportunities, and international networking. Those who choose to actively lead initiatives will have an extra opportunity to distinguish themselves and enhance their leadership profile.
Benefits for Ambassadors
The Student Ambassador Program is designed as a career accelerator: ambassadors gain recognition, deepen their experience, and expand their network while shaping their leadership profile, all with flexibility and support from a network of mentors from Paperleap.
Professional recognition
As students enter the program, they get an official shareable digital badge that can be shared on their CV, LinkedIn, and social profiles. After one year of appointment, they receive an official letter from Paperleap. Selected ambassadors are featured on Paperleap's blog, podcast, newsletter, or social media. Furthermore, recommendation letters are available upon request for ambassadors who actively contribute.
Leadership & skill development
Joining the Student Ambassador Program is an opportunity to gain event management experience: students will coordinate with peers, faculty, and the Paperleap staff. Student ambassadors have complete freedom to design and implement initiatives that make a real impact as long as they align with Paperleap's values and guidelines. Additionally, Paperleap hosts mentoring and training events that will expose student ambassadors to valuable skills.
Professional opportunities
Student ambassadors can showcase their leadership role on their resumes/CVs, where they can list measurable contributions to your institution and global research community. Furthermore, connecting with an international community of students, researchers, and professionals will result in better access to internships, collaborations, and professional opportunities.
Eligibility criteria
In order to apply for the Paperleap Student Ambassador Program, students:
- Must be currently enrolled in a higher education institution (undergraduate, master's, or doctoral level).
- Demonstrate interest in research, open access, or academic collaboration.
- Have strong communication and organizational skills.
- Commit to serve for at least one academic year.
Multiple students from the same institution can be part of the Student Ambassador Program. This enables students from different majors to join forces and collaborate on initiatives.
Application and selection process
Joining the Student Ambassador Program is easy:
- Apply online anytime: submit a short application form including a statement of interest.
- Selection: candidates are chosen based on motivation, leadership potential, and academic background.
- Onboarding & training: selected ambassadors receive orientation materials and resources from Paperleap mentors.
- Engagement: ambassadors actively contribute through events, outreach, and initiatives.