Sponsors

Students

Sponsors

What kind of students are in the 31Projects network?

Students in the 31Projects come from universities throughout the country and from programs ranging from undergraduate to MBA to PhD.  All students have skills in either business, design, communications, or technology and are passionate about using their skills to help.  We pre-screen all students to ensure that they have completed at least one year of studies and have prior internship or full-time work experience.

What kind of projects can I do on 31Projects?

There are three project types to choose from: Consult, Managed Consult, and Challenge (please see "How it Works").  The scope of work for a project can cover any business, design, communications, or technology-related task.

How do students find out about my project?

Once you have completed the project description, your project will be posted on the platform for all students members to search and view.  Additionally, we will provide notice of your project to students who have the skillset needed for your project.

Can I post an on-site project?

Most projects are conducted virtually, but you may also post on-site projects if you wish by specifying in the project description section of the posting that the project must be conducted on-site.

What if I only want students from a specific region / university for my Consult project?

In the project description you will have the opportunity to specify any requirements you wish for students.

Are the projects pro bono or paid?

The main reason students participate in projects is to use their skills to give back, rather than to earn money. We expect that non-profits and most social enterprises post pro-bono projects with no compensation for the students.  However we do encourage most for-profit startups to award a small compensation for their projects, both as a fair reward for the hard work the students put into it and as an extra incentive to deliver great work.

How are teams of students formed?

We believe that teams function best when members are co-located and have previous experience working with each other.  Therefore, teams are selected by the students themselves and each student team submits one application for the entire team.  In the project description you may specify whether you prefer a single student or a team for your project.

How do I go about choosing a student/team for my project?

If you have multiple students/teams applying to your Consult project, you must choose one to actually complete the project.  You can evaluate applicants based on their profile and any comments they have put in the cover letter section.  If they have already completed projects on 31Projects you can view their recommendations from other projects in the Feedback Portfolio section.  You will also receive the email addresses of all applicants and may speak directly with them as well if you wish prior to making a selection.

What is the legal relationship between the project sponsor and students?

For pro bono projects, students are volunteers.  If the project is a paid project, students are considered legally as independent contractors rather than employees, which typically is much simpler from an administrative and tax point of view.

Why do I provide feedback to the students?

As most projects are pro bono, we encourage sponsors to provide feedback and recommendations to students in recognition of their good work.  Feedback also helps students to learn and grow from the experiences.  Feedback is provided directly on the 31Projects platform, and students may in some cases also ask for separate written recommendations.

What if the requirements or timeframe of my project change?

If you are running a Consult project and need to make changes to the requirements or timeframe of the project, first discuss the changes with the students and ensure there is mutual agreement.  You may then edit the project description on the platform to make the changes.

What if I am not satisfied with any of the solutions to my Challenge?

If you received less than three submissions to your Challenge project and are not satisfied with any of them, please contact our Support team and we will work with you to find an appropriate solution.

What if I am not satisfied with the work the students did on my Consult project?

We want sponsors to get valuable assistance on their projects.  If you are unsatisfied with the outcome of your project, please contact us and we're happy to refund the project fee and work with you to find an alternative solution to meeting your needs.

Is there a fee for using 31Projects?

We charge a small fee for each project/challenge posted on 31Projects.  The fee for Consult projects is $150 for an individual project and $250 for a team project.  The Challenge fee is $495.

Students

Who can participate in 31Projects?

We're open to all students and recent alumni from undergraduats to MBAs to PhDs who have skills in either business, design, communications, or technology and are passionate about helping to change the world.  The only requirements are that you are U.S.-based, you have completed at least one year of your studies, and you have previous work experience through either an internship or a full-time job.

Can international students participate?

International students studying in the U.S. welcome to participate!  Pro-bono volunteer projects should represent no problems, but foreign students are themselves responsible for ensuring they are eligible to participate in paid projects and should consult their international students coordinator to understand the specific requirements for their visa type.

What types of projects are on 31Projects?

There are three types of projects on 31Projects: Consult, Managed Consult, and Challenge.  To find out how each type works, please see our section on How it Works.  To see examples of projects, please click here.

How can I apply to a Consult project or conduct a Challenge in a team?

If you would like to apply as a team with fellow classmates to a Consult project, one member of the team must complete the application to the project for the entire team.  In the application the student should fill in the usernames of the other team members.  All other members of the team will then receive an email and must click on the link in the email to confirm that they wish to be included in the team application.  If you have completed a Challenge in a team with other students, simply write the usernames of all teammates into the appropriate spaces on the submission page when uploading your submission.

How do I cancel my application to a Consult project?

If you need to cancel your application to a Consult project, simply log in, navigate to the project under “My Projects,” and click to cancel your application.

What if I run into problems while conducting my project?

If you run into problems or questions during your project, we are here to help!  To contact us with questions or concerns, email us at support@31projects.com or give us a call at (919) 899-9603. You should also feel free to ask fellow students or professors for help- most people are usually glad to provide assistance when they know it's for a good cause!

What if I incur expenses while conducting my Consult project?

You should discuss any planned expenses with the project sponsor prior to incurring them and work out directly with them how you are to be reimbursed.

What is a Feedback Portfolio?

Each student on 31Projects has a Feedback Portfolio which is a convenient way of collecting all the feedback and recommendations you receive from participating in projects.

© 2012 31Projects, Inc. All Rights Reserved.