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NIEHS Scholars Connect Program Application

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A Research Internship Opportunity for Local College Students

The NIEHS Scholars Connect Program provides an opportunity for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) focused undergraduate students from the surrounding Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) to solidly connect with NIEHS and engage in many of its educational, informational, training, and career-oriented outlets. NSCP Scholars will further their scientific training through hands-on laboratory experience and professional development activities. Each NSCP Scholar is paired with a NIEHS scientist that serves as their research mentors. These research mentors guide Scholars in 40 hours of research-related activities each week during the summer Connection and 20 hours of research-related activity during the fall and spring Connections. The Scholars also attend a weekly NSCP Seminar to further their scientific and professional development.

The NIEHS Scholars Connect Program is open to U.S. college students who:

  • Are majoring in a life science (i.e. biology), physical science (i.e. chemistry, physics), engineering, or math.
  • Have a minimum overall GPA (for all courses taken at the college level) of 3.0
  • Will be entering their junior or senior year in Fall 2013 (current sophomores and juniors)
  • Are legally authorized to work in the U.S.
  • Are able to commit to at least 40 hours per week conducting research on the NIEHS campus during the summer of 2013.
  • Are able to commit to spending 20 hours per week on research related activities during the Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 activities. Research related activities will be determined by your research mentor and may include laboratory work at NIEHS (located at 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, RTP, NC), writing protocols, and assigned readings.
  • Are able to attend a mandatory weekly NSCP Seminar one evening per week (Tuesdays from 6-7:30 PM).
  • Can arrange their own transportation to the NIEHS campus (driving, bus, short-term car rentals, biking, carpool, etc.)

Application Instructions

Please answer all required questions included in the application. In addition to the write-in questions, you will need to submit the following documents:

  • Resume
  • Transcript
  • Personal Statement
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation



Please note that the application will not allow you to save and return to work on your application later.
Your application submission will proceed more smoothly if you prepare your answers and gather all required documents beforehand, so that you will be ready to enter/upload all of the information in one sitting.

The deadline for the 2013-2014 NSCP application process is April 8, 2013. All application materials must be received by April 8, 2013 for your application to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Questions?


Contact the NIEHS Scholars Connect Program at nscp@niehs.nih.gov. We look forward to receiving your application!

Personal Information

You are eligible to apply for the NIEHS Scholars Connect Program if you are:

  • Enrolled full-time at a 4-year college or university (working towards a Bachelors degree)
  • Majoring in a life science (i.e. biology), physical science (i.e. chemistry, physics), engineering, or math.
  • Have a minimum overall GPA (for all courses taken at the college level) of 3.0
  • Will be entering your junior or senior year in Fall 2013 (current sophomores and juniors)
  • Legally authorized to work in the U.S.
  • Able to commit to at least 40 hours per week conducting research on the NIEHS campus during the summer of 2013.
  • Able to commit to spending 20 hours per week on research related activities during the Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 activities. (Research related activities will be determined by your research mentor and may include laboratory work at NIEHS (located at 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, RTP, NC), writing protocols, and assigned readers.)
  • Able to attend a mandatory weekly NSCP Seminar on Tuesdays from 6:00 - 7:30 PM for the summer 2013, Fall 2013, and Spring 2014 semesters.
  • Can arrange your own transportation to the NIEHS campus (driving, bus, short-term car rentals, biking, carpool, etc.)
  1. Agreement

Fields indicated with "*" are required

  5. Racial Category - Check as many as apply: (Optional)





Contact Information
Academic Information
  2. Are you enrolled full-time?



    7. Please upload your transcript as a word file or PDF.


Courses

Please list the name and grade earned for all science, engineering, and math classes previously taken (at the college level) or currently in progress. If the class is currently in progress, please select "In Progress" under "Grade Earned".

    51. Add another course
Honors

Please list all honors and awards received and include a brief description.

    31. Add another honor
Research Experience

Please list all previous research experience in the space provided.

    43. Add another research project
Resume and Personal Experience

Please upload your resume as a Word file or PDF.



  • Please write a 1-2 page personal statement describing your experiences and interests in science and math. Your statement should address the following areas/questions:
  • Describe your previous research experience. Briefly describe the project(s) that you worked on (i.e. research question, hypothesis, methods, and results).
  • What did you learn from these experiences (i.e. technical skills: PCR, Western blots, confocal microscopy; professional skills: time management)?
  • What interests you about environmental health science?
  • What are your research interests? Are there specific NIEHS labs and/or scientists whose research interests you?
  • If accepted to the program, what would you hope to accomplish/learn as a NSCP Scholar? What would you plan to get out of the program? Define your career goals and explain how your participation in NSCP would further your progress towards these goals.


You may also use the personal statement to briefly address any areas of weakness in your application (i.e. to explain a weak grade in a science course). However, be careful not to allocate too much space to explain deficiencies.



  2. Research Interest:










Letters of Recommendation

Please ask 3 people who know you in a professional capacity to provide letters of recommendation in support of your application. Ideally, your recommenders will be able to speak to your understanding of scientific concepts and your development as a scientist (i.e. professors who have taught you in a college-level math or science course, professors/scientists with whom you have conducted research). Please note that we must receive 3 letters of recommendation by the application deadline for your application to be considered.

Once you have submitted your application, we will send instructions to the recommenders regarding how to provide a letter of support. If your recommenders would like these instructions prior to your submission, please ask them to email Dr. Ericka Reid or Courtnea Rainey at nscp@niehs.nih.gov.

    Contact Information for Recommender 1:

    Contact Information for Recommender 2:

    Contact Information for Recommender 3:

Honor Statement:

I certify that I have not falsified any information in this application and that the contents of this application are true to the best of my knowledge. Furthermore, I certify that the contents of this application are my own work.

By typing my name in the space below, I am digitally signing my name to the honor statement above.