Student Funding

Students are invited to conduct a personalized search for other grant opportunities by using one of our office's online funding opportunity databases. To access these databases, "SPIN" and "The Community of Science", please scroll down to the bottom of this page.

Finally, we would like to alert students to an annual workshop we held at St. John's under the co-sponsorship of the University's Women in Science program and the Office of Grants and Sponsored Research. Our workshop is held in mid-November each year. The purpose of this workshop is to help students identify grant programs and plan properly toward preparation and submission of a successful grant application. For further information, click here.

Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
U.S. Department of Education
Dr. Ronald E. McNair, was an African-American who exemplified the true meaning of scholarship. Dr. McNair was an engineer, scientist and Challenger Astronaut. After his unfortunate death in the 1986 space Challenger accident, Congress honored him by creating The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, a grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Education. This year, St. John's University was selected to receive a prestigious Ronald E. McNair grant.

This program is designed to prepare first generation/low income students and groups historically under represented in graduate study, for postbaccalaureate education. Program participants may pursue any field of study leading to a doctorate degree. The ultimate goal of the program is to assist in diversifying college and university faculties. Prospective scholars are selected during their junior year. A minimum G.P.A. of 2.7 and completion of 60-66 credits, is required to be considered for admission into this program. Highlights of the program include: Opportunities to work closely with a faculty mentor on a paid summer research project, and to present research at an in-house symposium; participation in several cultural events; the chance to visit universities offering Doctoral programs in the scholars' field of choice; and more. Topical workshops will be provided to McNair Scholars, including presentations on: Library and Information Technology; Computer Literacy; Writing and Research Design; GRE Preparation; and the Financial Aid and Graduate School application processes.

For further information, contact: Beverly Fields, Assistant Director, McNair Scholars Program extension 5862.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates
National Science Foundation
Application due date: Varies by program and location
The National Science Foundation makes possible a number of opportunities for undergraduates to join research projects each summer. This allows students to experience first-hand how basic research is carried out, and to contribute consequentially. The principal support by NSF of such activities is through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program.

REU "Sites" are established in all fields of science, mathematics, and engineering. Each Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates, who work in the research programs of the host institution. Students are in general accepted from throughout the country. Each student is assigned to a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty, post-docs, and graduate students. In addition, seminars, lunch meetings, and social functions are organized to facilitate interaction between the undergraduates.

Students are granted stipends, and in some cases assistance with housing and travel. Students who are in those groups traditionally under-represented in science (women, members of under-represented minorities, and those with disabilities) are particularly urged to apply. Students with special personal needs or requirements, or who can attend a Site only under special conditions, are also encouraged to apply, and to discuss this with Site Directors in advance of the application dates.

For a complete list of current REU Sites, broken down by discipline, click here.

Graduate Research Program
U.S. Department of Energy - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Application due date: Open, continuous
The Graduate Research Program (GRP) is a year-round educational program which provides students with relevant research experience while they are pursuing a graduate degree. In some cases, students can arrange to conduct master's or doctoral thesis research at the Laboratory. Appointments are available for periods of from 90 days to a full year, with option for renewal based upon program requirements. Students are selected on the basis of field of study (which includes biology, chemistry and math), grade point average, and research interests. Stipends, travel allowances and research allowance costs are provided and the Laboratory can provide economical housing for GRP registered students. For more information, click here or call (505) 667-0870.

Undergraduate Student Program - Post Baccalaureate Category
The post-baccalaureate category of this DOE - Los Alamos program offers research opportunities to those students who have been awarded a bachelor's degree but have not yet been accepted and enrolled in a graduate program. Post-baccalaureate students may remain in this category for up to one year maximum. Post baccalaureate students are encouraged to take class(es) during this year and may move into GRP status when documentation is provided indicating admittance into a graduate program. A 2.5 GPA is required for post baccalaureates, and a 3.0 GPA is required to be considered eligible for the GRP program.

Internship Program
Association for Women in Science Educational Foundation (AWIS)
Application deadline: Open, continuous
The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) National Office has internships available year-round, each lasting two to four months. Interns generally work closely with a staff member who could be the executive director, grant coordinator, financial coordinator, or membership and magazine coordinator. In the past, interns have acted as the AWIS liaison to the National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education, attended hearings and followed judicial decisions, composed AWIS press releases, worked on public relations, set up cataloging systems for AWIS resources, written for the bimonthly AWIS Magazine, assisted with membership activities, worked on grants, fulfilled information requests, and more. The applicant's educational and work-related needs are tailored to work toward the goals of the organization. There are no set deadlines for application to become an AWIS intern. AWIS will consider both graduate and undergraduate students for their internships. For further information, call 202-326-8940, or link to: http://www.awis.org/resource/internship.html.

Undergraduate Fellowships Program
Associated Western Universities (AWU)
Application deadline: Continuous. See notes below
AWU typically awards over 500 undergraduate student fellowships each year to enhance the educational experience of qualified science, mathematics, engineering and technology students. These fellowships provide an intensive introduction to science and engineering through participation in research and applied technology under the guidance of experienced scientists and engineers at a cooperating facility.

This cooperative program enriches the academic experience, enhances the research and development capabilities of host facilities and promotes a skilled technical workforce. The fellowship term is normally eight to sixteen weeks. Applicants do not need to be enrolled at an AWU member institution to apply for a fellowship. This program is open to students who have been or will be enrolled in any accredited institution within six months of the start of their fellowship. It is expected that applicants will have completed one year of college by the start of their fellowship.

Applications may be submitted at any time. However, to insure optimum consideration, submit by Feburary 1 for summer appointment, by March 20 for a fall appointment, and by October 20 for a spring appointment. A fellowship award includes placement on a project at a facility, with a usual stipend of at least $300 per week, and may include an allowance for travel to and from the facility. For further information, call 801-273-8900, or link to: http://www.awu.org/

Student Internship Program
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine
Application deadline: Open, continuous
This internship program supports students working in physical, biological, medical, and computer science, engineering, and supporting disciplines, provides opportunities and support for applied research and development in the areas of environmental health engineering programs, projects, and activities. This program takes place at the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland) and other approved locations for three months to one year, allowing either full or part-time appointments. Internships are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. The stipend is based on the applicant's research areas and academic classification. For further information, call Joanne Rasnake at 410-436-7257, or link to: http://see.orau.org/.

Summer Student Program 2000
The Jackson Laboratory
The Jackson Laboratory is an internationally recognized center for mammalian genetic research. There, outstanding students conduct interdisciplinary biomedical research as apprentices in the laboratories of staff scientists. The laboratory, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) designated cancer research center, is located in Bar Harbor, Maine. The Summer Student Program allows students to conduct original hands-on research as a contributing member of a sponsoring scientist's research team. Projects are tailored to the student's background and interests. Research areas focus on advancing the knowledge of molecular, developmental, genetic, biochemical and immunological mechanisms related to normal growth and development and human disease. The laboratory's extensive resource of mutant and inbred mice strengthens this basic research. The laboratory provides a stimulating environment for students interested in experiencing the day-to-day challenges of scientific research. College students accepted in this program will receive a scholarship which covers the program fee of $2,950 (which includes housing) and, in addition, provides a stipend of $2,500.

For an overview of research being conducted at the Jackson Laboratory, on the Internet, potential applicants can link to http://www.jax.org/education/index.html. Specific information on the Summer Student Program can be located at http://www.jax.org/education/ssp.html.

Summer Science Institute
American Psychological Association
Application due date: February 1, 2000
The APA Summer Science Institute (SSI) is a 9-day, all-expense paid, intensive program designed to immerse students in the science of psychology. The Institute's goal is to explore the intellectual, personal, and social processes of scientific inquiry, and to experience cutting-edge psychological research through seminars and laboratory activities. The 2000 Summer Science Institute will be held at the University of California at Berkeley, from Saturday, June 10 - Sunday, June 18. Eligibility is limited to college students who will be freshman or sophomores at the end of the 1999-2000 academic year. Thirty-two students will be accepted. For further information and application materials, link to http://www.apa.org/science/ssi.html.

Summer Student Fellowship Program
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
Summer Student Fellowships are awarded to undergraduate students who have completed their junior or senior year and are studying at colleges or universities in any field of science or engineering with at least a tentative interest in the ocean sciences, oceanographic engineering, mathematics, or marine policy. Fellowships are awarded to pursue an independent research project, chosen by the fellow, under the guidance of a member of the research staff. Through this program, the institution's aim is to give a promising group of science and engineering students experience which will assist them in determining whether they wish to devote careers to the study of the oceans.

Fellows are selected on a competitive basis, with final decisions based on the applicant's previous academic and scientific achievements and promise as future ocean scientists or ocean engineers. Fellows have an excellent opportunity to select and pursue a research problem of their own with access to more than two hundred practicing research scientists and using the facilities of a major oceanographic institution. In addition, fellows are welcome to participate in the busy summer schedule of seminars and colloquia in the Woods Hole scientific community which provides an excellent introduction to the many facets of marine science.

Fellowship awards for the summer carry a stipend. Additional support may be provided for travel. Institution housing will be made available for fellowship recipients. Specific information on the Summer Student Fellowship Program can be located at http://www.whoi.edu/education/ssfdesc.html.

Summer Minority Access to Research Training (SMART)
University of Colorado
The University of Colorado's Summer Minority Access to Research Training (SMART) program offers 10-week research internships in science and engineering. The internships provide hands-on experience in research and an introduction to graduate education at a leading university. Twenty undergraduates from schools throughout the United States will be housed on campus and will take part in this challenging and informative program.

Interns will earn three (3) hours of upper-division undergraduate credit in independent study by carrying out their projects, attending evening seminars conducted by minority faculty and graduate students, and taking part in workshops in basic research, technical writing, and communication. Interns are provided an $1,800 stipend plus housing and tuition costs. For further information, link to http://spot.colorado.edu/~smart/.

Minority Scientist Development (MSD) Summer Research Program
University of California at Los Angeles - Center for Research & Academic Excellence (CARE)
An eight to ten week program held during the summer, the MSD Summer Research Program allows students from other universities to work full-time in a laboratory. The program features regular workshops and seminars on the nature of academic life, standardized test preparation, writing and research skills, as well as career opportunities in biomedical research. The stipend includes approximately $250 (net) per week, room and board, and round trip airfare from the student's home to UCLA. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and should be undergraduates at universities other than UCLA and majoring in a life science with a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.80. Applications can be obtained from the home page of the Office of Grants and Sponsored Research or by contacting Heather Bautista or Richard L. Weiss at UCLA's Center for Academic & Research Excellence, P. O. Box 951606, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606 (Tele: 310-206-4600).

Grants-in-Aid of Research
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
Research awards are made to support scientific investigation in any field. Awards are made in amounts up to a maximum of $1,000 (with an average award of $600) except as noted in the case of special funds, such as: (1) In the fields of astronomy and eye or vision research special National Academy of Science (NAS) funds allow for awards up to a maximum of $2,500; and, (2) In the field of plasma research the new Sigma Xi-Consortium for Plasma Research Fund allows for awards of $5,000.

Two grant competition categories exist in this program. (1) Sigma Xi funds: The faculty advisor or "1st recommender" of all applicants must be a full, active member of Sigma Xi, or the student must be an active member to be eligible for consideration. These funds cover all areas of science and make up four-fifths of available funding. (2) NAS funds/unrestricted funds: These are open competitions -- not restricted to Sigma Xi members -- and include, among other programs, the plasma research grant mentioned above. Complete program guidelines and interactive grant application forms can be located on the Internet at http://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/giar/index.shtml.

Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
U. S. Department of Energy - Office of Biological and Environmental Research
The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors a ten-week Summer Undergraduate Research Experience program known as SURE 2000. The program will begin in June with a one-week orientation and focus session on global change research areas, tentatively scheduled to be held at Tulane University. The orientation will involve a one-week lecture series aimed at giving undergraduate students a detailed overview of all research areas within the Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER) global change activities. Students will receive more focused information on the specific area in which they expect to conduct research. After the orientation and focus session are completed, students will travel to various nine-week research assignments at one of the national laboratories or universities conducting OBER-supported global change research. Among the possible national laboratory assignments available to students Brookhaven National Laboratory, located about 60 miles of St. John's University in Upton, New York. The SURE 2000 program is primarily aimed toward undergraduates in their sophomore or junior years. Successful participants may reapply for a second year of research the following year. Between 20 - 30 students are expected to be enrolled through a competitive process. Successful applicants will be given travel and housing support, as well as a weekly stipend during the ten-week program. For further information, link to http://www.atmos.anl.gov/GCEP/SURE/index.html.