1. What Happens If I Miss a Deadline?
The Calbright Academic Project runs on a fixed 6-week cohort timeline, and deadlines are enforced to ensure fairness for all learners and employer partners.
If you miss a deadline:
You may be unable to submit required deliverables
The project’s progress may be affected
You may risk not completing the project successfully
If you anticipate difficulty meeting a deadline, communicate as early as possible with:
The employer partner
Riipen support (via the help/avocado icon)
Late communication limits the support that can be provided.
2. Can I Switch Projects?
No. Once you join a project and the self-assignment window closes, projects are locked.
Important to know:
You may join one project only
Project selection is first-come, first-served
Switching projects is not permitted
This policy ensures fairness across the cohort and stability for employer partners. Review project details carefully before selecting.
3. What If My Employer Is Unresponsive?
If your employer partner becomes unresponsive:
Send a message through the Riipen platform
If there is no response, contact Riipen support using the help (avocado) icon
Unresolved employer unresponsiveness is treated as a program issue, not a learner failure. Reporting concerns early allows Riipen to take appropriate action.
4. What Happens If I Need to Withdraw?
If you need to withdraw from a project:
You must notify Calbright and Riipen support as soon as possible
You may be required to communicate your withdrawal to the employer partner
Important considerations:
Withdrawals after Week 1 may affect eligibility for future cohorts
Learners who withdraw or do not complete required deliverables do not receive a Certificate of Completion
Withdrawal requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
5. How Does the Midpoint Review Work?
The midpoint review is an opportunity to:
Share progress with the employer
Receive early feedback
Confirm alignment on deliverables and expectations
You should arrive prepared with:
Draft work or preliminary findings
Questions or areas where guidance is needed
A clear plan for the remaining weeks
Midpoint feedback is intended to support success — not to evaluate final performance.
6. How Are Hours or Contributions Tracked?
You are expected to contribute approximately 20–40 hours over the course of the 6-week project.
Depending on the project, you may be asked to:
Log work or milestones on the Riipen platform
Document contributions within materials
Tracking work helps:
Demonstrate equitable participation
Provide transparency for employers
Support confirmation of project completion
Always follow the tracking instructions listed on your individual team page.
7. Where Do I Submit My Work?
All required deliverables must be submitted through your individual team page on Riipen.
Even if:
You discussed ideas in a group chat
Another learner shared a similar approach
The employer addressed the group as a whole
You are responsible for submitting your own work to receive completion credit.
8. Am I Graded or Evaluated Individually?
Learners are evaluated individually.
While communication occurs in shared group chats, completion status, feedback, and portfolio credit are based on:
Your individual submissions
Your professional engagement
Your adherence to deadlines and requirements
Participation in group discussions does not replace individual accountability.