Overview
The Calbright Academic Project is a 6-week, cohort-based, employer-partnered experience delivered through the Riipen platform.
This opportunity is available to invited Calbright learners who have completed required coursework and onboarding. Learners work primarily with 3–4 other learners and self-assign to projects during a short selection window.
Projects are completed within a fixed timeline, with shared milestones and deadlines. Once project teams are finalized, switching projects is not permitted.
Getting Access to Riipen
After you are verified as eligible, you will receive an invitation to join the Calbright Academic Project experience on Riipen.
To get started:
Click the Riipen link in your email
Create your Riipen account (or log in if you already have one)
You will be added to the Calbright Academic Project experience page
This experience page is where you will:
View available projects
Join a project during the self-assignment window
Access deadlines, updates, and deliverables
Step 1: Set Up Your Riipen Profile
Before selecting a project, take time to complete your profile.
Click your user icon in the top-right corner of Riipen
Select your username and choose Edit Profile
Add:
A profile photo (recommended)
A short bio
Your résumé (optional)
Your profile is visible to employer partners once you join a project and helps establish professionalism from the start. It will also help you stand out.
Step 2: Review and Sign Program Agreements
Before projects unlock, you must:
Carefully review the Calbright Academic Project Student Agreement
Confirm your understanding of:
The cohort timeline and fixed deadlines
Individual responsibility with shared group communication
Professional conduct and communication expectations
Required deliverables and submission requirements
Once agreements are signed, projects will become visible on the experience page.
Step 3: Review Available Projects
When the self-assignment window opens:
Scroll down the experience page to view available projects
Click a project title to review:
Project overview and goals
Required deliverables
Skills and tools involved
You should review projects carefully before selecting one.
Step 4: Self-Assign to a Project
When you join a project, Riipen will automatically create an individual team page for you. This is where you will manage your tasks and submit your deliverables.
To join a project:
Open the project you want to join
Click Join Project in the top-right corner
⚠️ Important:
You may join one project only
Project selection is first-come, first-served
Once the self-assignment window closes, projects are locked
Switching projects is not allowed
If all spots are filled, the project will automatically close.
Step 5: Start the Project and Introduce Yourself
Introductions and questions may happen in the shared group chat; however, all required submissions must be completed on your individual team page.
Before the official project start date:
Introduce yourself to:
Your employer partner
Your teammates
Share:
Your background and interests
Your availability
Any initial questions
Click Start Project on your Team page when prompted
Starting the project unlocks the learners+ employer chat and enables collaboration.
🎉 Your project has been selected successfully! 🎉
Step 6: Understand Group Chats vs. Your Team Page
Each project includes multiple communication spaces:
Group chats
Used for announcements, questions, and shared clarification
May include all learners and the employer partner
Do not accept submissions
Your individual team page
Where you track your progress
Where you upload deliverables
Where your completion is evaluated
Reading group messages is important, but your individual team page is the source of truth for your work.
Step 7: Attend the Employer Kickoff (Week 1)
During Week 1, every learner who has selected the same project will attend or schedule an employer kickoff meeting.
In this meeting, you should:
Confirm project scope and success criteria
Review deliverables and deadlines
Clarify communication expectations
Align on next steps
Strong Week 1 engagement sets the tone for the entire project.
Step 8: Work Through the Project (Weeks 2–4)
Throughout the project:
Collaborate regularly with everyone
Share drafts and progress updates early
Use Riipen chat for all project communication
Log work as required for visibility and tracking
A midpoint check-in will take place to:
Review progress
Receive feedback
Make any necessary adjustments
In the "Upcoming Tasks" section, you can create personal milestones to stay on track. You’ll also see the final submission deadline, receive a prompt to provide feedback to the employer, and complete an exit survey.
Step 9: Finalize and Submit Deliverables (Weeks 5–6)
As the project concludes, you will:
Finalize all required deliverables
Prepare any executive presentations (if required)
Submit final work through the Riipen platform
Complete required surveys and reflections
Final submissions may include:
Files or documents
Slide decks
Process documentation
Written summaries
All required items must be submitted to complete the project.
Step 10: Completion, Feedback, and Certificate
Once all deliverables and surveys are completed:
Employer feedback will be released
Skills will be added to your Riipen profile
You will unlock a Certificate of Completion
You may also receive:
Employer endorsements
Shareable achievements for LinkedIn or portfolios
This experience can be used to demonstrate real-world, applied learning to future employers.
Key Reminders
Deadlines are fixed and enforced
Communication should always remain professional and on-platform
Early communication is essential if issues arise
You are responsible for meeting all requirements for completion