Terms and Conditions

Last updated: August 03, 2026

These Terms apply to students, parents/guardians, and all participants in the ResForMe program. By registering for and participating in the ResForMe research mentorship program, you (and your parent/guardian if you are under 18) agree to the following terms. If registering a minor, the parent/guardian confirms they have read and agree to these terms on the student's behalf and consent to participation.

1. Program Description

ResForMe offers personalized, 1:1 online research mentorship connecting motivated secondary/high school students worldwide (typically in the final four years before university/college, ages 13–18) with university professors and PhD researchers. The program is delivered entirely online via video calls, email, and our private messaging platform ("Talk2Me").

2. Eligibility

The program is open to students worldwide who are in the equivalent of U.S. grades 8–12 — that is, the last four years of secondary/high school education before university/college level, typically ages 13–18. Participants under 18 must have explicit parental/guardian consent.

3. Ethical Research Commitment

ResForMe believes anyone can research — responsibly and ethically. All projects must align with principles of integrity, safety, and respect. We do not support research that is illegal, harmful, discriminatory, or unethical. Participants are expected to uphold the highest standards of academic and personal conduct throughout the program.

4. No Recordings • Privacy First

5. Payment & Refunds

The total program fee quoted upon acceptance includes the $100 application fee. There are no additional charges regardless of the chosen package, the application fee is fully incorporated into the total amount.

• Upon submission of your application, a $100 application fee is charged (this fee is later credited toward the total program fee if you are accepted and enroll).
• Upon acceptance and mentor assignment (within 48 hours), a 2-week suitability period begins with written communication via Talk2Me to discuss research ideas.
• During this period, an initial deposit of 50% of the total program fee is required to proceed. (Example: For a $1,500 total program, the initial deposit would be $750; since the $100 application fee is already paid and included, you would pay $650 at this stage.)
• The remaining 50% (final deposit) is due before video calls begin.
• No refunds for the application fee if your application is not accepted or if you choose not to proceed after acceptance but before paying deposits.
• If you withdraw before video calls begin, we refund the deposits you have paid, minus the $100 application fee and any transaction fees.
• Once video calls begin, we refund the unused part of the program, counted by the weeks left in your package, minus the $100 application fee. We do not refund weeks already delivered.
• If ResForMe cannot deliver the program, for example if no mentor is available, you choose between a full refund of everything unused and a replacement mentor. The choice is yours, not ours.
• Payments are in USD via Stripe or Zelle. Zelle payments cannot be reversed by your bank, so if you pay that way and something goes wrong, contact us at hello@resforme.com and the refund rules above still apply in full.

6. Sessions, Attendance and Scheduling

Live video sessions are held at times agreed between the student and the mentor. The rules below apply to every scheduled session, and they apply to the mentor as well as to the student. This section applies to programs that begin on or after 3 August 2026. Students enrolled before that date continue under the terms they accepted, and nothing in this section changes their program.

• Waiting time. The mentor waits 15 minutes from the start time. After 15 minutes the session is closed and counts as delivered.
• Moving a session. A session is moved at no cost when the student gives at least 12 hours notice and the mentor has another slot in the same week.
• A session missed with less notice, or with no notice, counts as delivered and is not repeated. The mentor posts written guidance in Talk2Me the same day covering what the session would have covered, so the teaching is not lost even when the live hour is.
• Make-up sessions. Every package includes one make-up session for each four weeks of its length: one for a 4-week package, two for 8 weeks, three for 16 weeks. A make-up is offered from the mentor's available times. Unused make-ups are not carried over, exchanged, or refunded.
• Two sessions missed in a row. We write to the parent or guardian, first to check that the student is well, then to agree a schedule the student can keep. That may mean fewer live sessions each week with more of the mentoring in writing, at no change in price.
• Three sessions missed in one program. Remaining sessions are held only when the student confirms in Talk2Me at least 12 hours before the start time. Slots that are not confirmed are released. The student keeps every remaining session in the package.
• If the mentor misses a session without notice, that session does not count and is rescheduled at no cost to the student. If ResForMe cannot deliver the rest of the program, the refund rules in Section 5 apply.
• Program dates. The program begins on the date of the first video call and runs for the number of weeks in the package, counted as calendar weeks. Missed or moved sessions do not change the end date.
• One pause. Once per program, a parent or guardian may write to hello@resforme.com to pause the program for a serious reason such as illness, bereavement, or a family emergency. A pause may last up to two weeks, or half the length of the package, whichever is shorter. A pause stops the calendar and moves the end date by the length of the pause. This is the only circumstance in which the end date moves at no extra cost.
• Extensions. If a student wants more time than the package holds, we are glad to arrange it as a separate agreement, with its own dates and price agreed in writing before it begins.

7. Pricing Changes

ResForMe reserves the right to change the fees for the program at any time. Any such changes will apply only to new applications and enrollments received after the effective date of the change. The program fee for accepted participants is fixed at the amount quoted upon acceptance and mentor assignment, in accordance with the payment terms in Section 5.

8. Student Responsibilities

• Attend scheduled calls and respond in a timely manner. Section 6 sets out what happens when a session is moved or missed.
• Complete agreed-upon work between sessions.
• Communicate respectfully, professionally, and appropriately at all times. Harassment, abuse, threats, inappropriate language, or any form of mistreatment toward mentors or staff is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate termination.
• Use the platform only for legitimate, ethical academic purposes.
• Conduct research in an ethical and responsible manner. Projects involving human subjects, animals, hazardous materials, or potentially harmful topics must comply with applicable laws and ethical guidelines. ResForMe reserves the right to reject or terminate any project deemed unethical, illegal, or unsafe.
• Engage in live video calls in the spirit of true mentorship. Live calls are valuable opportunities for guidance, feedback, and inspiration rather than daily structured lessons. While students are welcome to request additional calls when genuinely needed, mentors have discretion to determine the most effective and sustainable frequency based on the student's progress, project stage, and their own mentoring capacity. Together, student and mentor will find a balanced rhythm that supports deep learning and independent growth.
• Refrain from plagiarism or academic dishonesty; mentors may report violations.

9. Mentor Matching & Changes

We carefully match students with mentors based on research interests and availability. While we strive for the best fit, we cannot guarantee a specific mentor. In rare cases, a mentor change may be arranged if both parties agree it is necessary. If a mentor becomes unavailable mid-program, we will assign a replacement at no extra cost.

10. Intellectual Property

All research outputs (papers, posters, code, etc.) are owned by the student. Mentors provide guidance but claim no rights to your work.

11. Limitation of Liability

ResForMe acts as a facilitator of mentorship. We do not guarantee specific outcomes such as competition placement, publication acceptance, or college admission.

12. Termination

We reserve the right to terminate participation immediately, without refund, for any violation of these terms, including but not limited to: disrespectful or abusive behavior, harassment, academic dishonesty, unethical research practices, or any conduct that harms the program, mentors, or other participants.

13. Changes to Terms

We may update these terms and will notify active participants of material changes via email. Continued participation after changes constitutes acceptance.

14. Mentors

Mentors are bound by a separate Mentor Agreement provided during onboarding. This Mentor Agreement also requires compliance with relevant provisions of these Terms (such as privacy, no recordings, and professional conduct).

Contact

This program is operated by ResForMe LLC, New York, USA. Questions? Email us at hello@resforme.com