Early Career Undergraduate Apprenticeship Application

Early Career Undergraduate Apprenticeship application

The goal of the Early Career Undergraduate Apprenticeship program is to contribute to the development of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce in disciplines needed to achieve NASA’s strategic goals.  Alaska Space Grant seeks to meet this goal by increasing the recruitment and retention of students pursuing a STEM degrees through enabling faculty to provide early career undergraduates with opportunities to engage in research.

Faculty can request up to 2 students at $3,650/student per period of performance (academic year or summer semester).

Full-time or part-time students are eligible participants for this award stipend. Students will be awarded up to $3,650 (200 hours of expected participation) which will be provided in two portions – one-half at the start of the award period, and the second-half following mentor confirmation of satisfactory student progress at approximately half-way through the award period. 

Stipend amounts will be determined by the estimated hours of participation as determined by the faculty mentor in the submitted proposal. Award amounts will be based on estimated duration of the project.  Awards will be provided $18.25 per hour of estimated participation.  For instance, if a student is doing a research experience that is estimated at 40 hours of participation, the student will be awarded a $730 stipend. By allowing the rigor and duration of the project to be determined by the faculty mentor, ASGP hopes to encompass a diversity of projects that may benefit from supporting undergraduate early career students with authentic research opportunities.  The objective of this solicitation is to provide early career students with potentially their first research experience and hopefully inspire them to pursue a STEM major and/or ultimately feel confident to propose to an Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship or attend a NASA or Alaska Industry internship supported by the Alaska Space Grant Program. As such, students need to be enrolled in a STEM class during the award period.

Women, faculty from under-represented groups, and early career faculty are especially encouraged to apply.

After completing the application form, faculty must email a single PDF to ASGP at uaf-spacegrant@alaska.edu, using the email subject line: Early Career Undergraduate Apprenticeship Application.  Applications do not need to go to the institution's Office of Grants and Contracts Administration.  Applications go directly to the Alaska Space Grant office. The application PDF must be organized in this order:

1. Document

   Early Career Cover Page (2).pdf21.41 KB
2. Project Description (3 page maximum, not including references)
   This section describes the proposed project and should include but not be limited to the following.
   1. Clearly state the purpose, goals, SMART objectives (including targets and metrics) and significance of the project, the approach to be used to achieve the objectives, and the specific outcomes expected.  Detail how this project aligns with the goals of one or more NASA Directorates or Centers.
   2. Recruitment Plan: Clearly state plan for recruitment of a student(s) new to research to whom you can provide a meaningful, and authentic introductory experience.  Recruitment of women, under-represented minorities and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged. Each proposal can request up to 2 students.
   3. Mentoring Experience: Clearly state previous experience mentoring undergraduate students, particularly early career students.
3. Resume Material: Maximum one page resume of Principal Investigator. The resume should demonstrate the PI’s expertise in conducting mentored research with undergraduate students.