I have been working on research projects since age 15 and here are the tips that I often share with my friends regarding research project application.
How to approach the whole process
It is normal to experience frustration because honestly, it is not meant for someone who first joins the field: 1. it is a far more natural process if you have been reading papers in the field for 1-2+ years and much easier to articulate why the work done by the researcher is important and interesting (and what skills do you bring to the table) 2. conversely, it can be difficult for newbies to write about these when they only read just very few papers (after taking days)
I am saying this not to discourage anyone, but to put things into perspectives. It is not an easy process, and kudos for beginning on this journey despite the challenging start.
What to include the email
As early-stage researchers, I feel it is more important to demonstrate an interest to learn than to show initiatives on what you want to work on. It is a counter-argument to the tendency to propose a project in their first email to the researcher. Most researchers’ projects are tied to their current grants and resources so the chances of finding someone who happens to have the capacity to take on a new project is somewhat small.
I recommend the email to be short, containing 2-3 paragraphs with 2-3 sentences in each. You should include more links (e.g. personal website) and less content, so that people are not overwhelmed, and they can still explore further if they are interested. The sweet-spot impression one wants to make is 1. you are interested 2. you are pro
Note, some email servers will mask the URL you sent so I do not recommend putting all URLs into the main text (because it may look messy).
How to send the email
In addition to the Principal Investigator that you are interested in, send to other people in the lab, too. They may have more time and if they trust you for being a conscientious student, they may recommend you to the PI and the chance of getting noticed will be higher. Similarly, if there are professors who know your academic performance, reach out to them as well to seek recommendations.
