Appearing on this page are brief
descriptions of a number of student grant programs. The programs
listed herein are not financial aid programs; rather, for the most
part, they represent a selection of research opportunities and
internships for students with outstanding academic records and
potential. Many of these research experiences are located at
universities and laboratories outside commuting distance for most
SJU students. However, students should note that in nearly all of
these cases, the program organizers have made accommodations for
student housing and, oftentimes, transportation costs.
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 annual workshops held during the Fall semester at St. John’s
under the Office of Grants and Sponsored Research. The
purpose of this workshop is to help students identify grant
programs and plan properly toward preparation and submission of a
successful grant application.
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.affiniscape.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=214.
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://meldi.snre.umich.edu/node/1407.
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
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://education.jax.org/summerstudent/index.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//page.do?pid=36375.
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://www.colorado.edu/GraduateSchool/DiversityInitiative/undergrads/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.