Terms of Service

Definitions

“GRF,” “we,” “us,” or “our” means Global Research Fellowship. “You” or “User” means the student, parent, guardian, applicant, customer, or other person accessing the website, submitting information, purchasing a program, or using the Services.

“Services” means the GRF website, application pages, communications, research programs, mentorship sessions, workshops, cohort experiences, publication support, educational materials, and related services offered by GRF.

Scope of Services

GRF provides educational mentorship, research guidance, project support, training, feedback, and publication facilitation for students seeking to develop academic research and market-oriented research projects.

GRF does not provide legal, medical, investment, tax, or financial advice. Any market, economics, policy, or finance-related discussion is educational in nature and should not be relied upon as professional advice or as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security, asset, or financial product.

Specific program details, deliverables, mentor assignments, schedules, fees, and additional terms may be set out on the website, in order confirmations, or in separate written agreements.

Eligibility and Parental Consent

The Services are intended for users at least 13 years old. Users under 18 may participate only with the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian.

By registering, applying, purchasing Services, or allowing a minor to participate, the parent or guardian confirms that they are authorized to act on the student’s behalf, accepts these Terms, and agrees to be responsible for the minor’s participation and any fees incurred.

Payment, Cancellation, and Refunds

Fees are listed on the website, in order confirmations, or in separate written agreements. Payment obligations are non-cancelable and non-refundable except as expressly stated in these Terms or required by applicable law.

(a) Commencement of Services. Services are deemed to have commenced on the earlier of: (i) the first scheduled mentoring session, workshop, cohort meeting, or onboarding call; or (ii) the date GRF begins substantial work on the student’s project, mentor match, curriculum preparation, research plan, or program setup.

(b) Refunds Before Commencement. For prepaid Services that have not yet commenced, GRF may issue a refund less an administrative fee of up to 10% of the prepaid amount, unless otherwise required by applicable law.

(c) Refunds After Commencement. Unless otherwise agreed in writing or required by applicable law, payments are non-refundable once Services have commenced.

(d) Charge Disputes. Any dispute regarding fees must be raised in writing within 30 days of the charge. Failure to timely dispute a charge constitutes acceptance of the charge.

Academic Integrity and No Guarantee

(a) Academic Integrity. Students and guardians must maintain academic honesty. Plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, unauthorized use of another person’s work, or other academic misconduct is strictly prohibited.

GRF may suspend or terminate Services immediately upon discovery of academic misconduct. Termination for misconduct is without refund.

(b) No Guarantees. GRF does not guarantee publication, admissions results, scholarships, competition outcomes, mentor availability, journal acceptance, school recognition, or any particular result. Any statements regarding potential outcomes are illustrative and are not promises.

(c) Student Responsibility. Students are responsible for the substantive content of their work and for obtaining any required school approvals, institutional approvals, research permissions, parental consents, and source permissions.

Intellectual Property

(a) Student Work. Except as stated in these Terms or agreed in writing, student-generated research materials, manuscripts, datasets, drafts, and final projects remain the property of the student or student team that created them.

(b) GRF License. By participating in GRF programs, the student and, for a minor, the parent or guardian, grants GRF a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to reproduce, distribute, display, and publish student materials for educational, portfolio, internal, and promotional purposes, subject to applicable law and any written confidentiality agreement.

For users under 18, publication of a student’s name, likeness, or identifiable work requires parent or guardian consent.

(c) GRF Materials. GRF’s website content, curriculum, templates, guides, frameworks, workshop materials, mentor materials, research prompts, branding, design, and program materials are owned by GRF or its licensors. Users may not copy, distribute, resell, reproduce, or create derivative works from GRF materials without prior written permission.

Confidentiality and Data Use

GRF will use reasonable efforts to treat student project information as confidential and will not disclose student data except as needed to provide Services, communicate with users, process applications and payments, coordinate mentors, comply with law, protect GRF’s rights, or with student or guardian consent.

GRF’s collection and processing of personal information is governed by its Privacy Policy. Users should review the Privacy Policy before submitting personal information.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

(a) Limitation of Liability.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall GRF’s aggregate liability arising out of or related to these Terms or the Services exceed the total amount paid by the User to GRF in the 12 months preceding the claim. In no event shall GRF be liable for loss of profits, loss of data, reputational harm, admissions outcomes, academic outcomes, indirect damages, special damages, incidental damages, consequential damages, or punitive damages.

(b) Indemnification. You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless GRF and its officers, directors, employees, contractors, mentors, advisors, affiliates, and agents from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of: (i) your breach of these Terms; (ii) your negligence or willful misconduct; (iii) your violation of any law or third-party right; or (iv) any content, data, research, or materials you submit or create through the Services.

(c) Jurisdictional Exceptions. Some jurisdictions do not permit the exclusion or limitation of certain damages. Where such exclusions are unenforceable, GRF’s liability will be limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.

Termination

GRF may suspend or terminate a user’s access to the Services for breach of these Terms, academic misconduct, non-payment, abusive conduct, misuse of GRF materials, violation of law, safety concerns, or other reasonable cause.

Upon termination, any fees due to GRF remain payable, and refunds, if any, will be determined under Section 4.

Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services shall first be submitted to informal good-faith negotiation. If the dispute is not resolved within 30 days after written notice of the dispute, the parties agree to attempt non-binding mediation in Wilmington, Delaware, unless the parties agree in writing to another location or remote mediation.

If mediation does not resolve the dispute within 60 days after the mediator is appointed, either party may pursue available remedies in the state or federal courts located in Delaware. Each party consents to the personal jurisdiction and venue of those courts for disputes arising out of or related to these Terms or the Services.

Miscellaneous

(a) Severability. If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remainder will remain in full force and effect, and the unenforceable provision will be replaced by an enforceable provision that most closely reflects the parties’ intent.

(b) Entire Agreement. These Terms, together with any written agreement between the user and GRF and GRF’s Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between the parties regarding the Services and supersede all prior agreements regarding the Services.

(c) Modifications. GRF may modify these Terms at any time. Updated Terms will be posted with a revised effective date. Continued use of the website or Services after posting constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

(d) Assignment. You may not assign or transfer these Terms without GRF’s prior written consent. GRF may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, restructuring, sale of assets, or transfer of operations.

(e) Contact. For questions regarding these Terms, contact support@globalresearchfellowship.com.