ECS Application Guidelines

Emerging Caribbean Scientists (ECS) Programs was developed to increase research training and to promote excellence for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) students at the University of the Virgin Islands.  Specifically, ECS research programs support Applied Mathematics (Engineering), Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Marine Biology, Mathematics, Nursing, Physics, Psychology, STEM education, Marine & Environmental Science, and Process Technology students with a grade point average at or above 2.0. Each year, we support more than 70 students with scholarships, research stipends, book awards and travel to national research conferences. All STEM, psychology and nursing majors, including international students, are encouraged to apply.  ECS Scholars interested in participating in another ECS program (including SURE and SSRI) must complete a new application and submit an updated personal statement.  Application packets are due on February 29, 2012!  Apply early; this is a highly competitive program and funding is limited.  Late applications will be considered if space becomes available. 

INFORMATION SESSIONS:

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS:

ECS will offer four National Institute of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored scholar programs: 

HBCU UP Research Scholars - HBCU-UP Scholars are students interested in a career in research in science, mathematics, engineering or technology and majoring in mathematics, chemistry, biology, marine biology, or computer science.  Research Scholars are funded for the academic year, participate in research, seminars, graduate school preparation, and UVI faculty mentoring.  Research Scholars receive stipends and travel opportunities, and other support. To be an HBCU-UP scholar, a student must have a UVI GPA of 3.0 or above.

• MARC Research Trainees – Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) program promotes excellence in careers leading to a Ph.D. in Biomedical, Psychology, Computers Science, Mathematics and Science.  Research Trainees are funded for the two academic years to participate in research, seminars, graduate school preparation, and UVI faculty mentoring.  Research Trainees receive stipends, travel sponsorship to off-island research conferences, and scholarships.  Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for eligibility.
• MBRS RISE Research Scholars – Research Scholars supported by Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) must be interested in a career in biomedical research and should be pursuing a major in mathematics, chemistry, biology, marine biology, computer science, psychology or nursing.  Scholars are funded for the entire academic year to participate in research, seminars, graduate school preparation, and UVI faculty mentoring.  Research Scholars receive stipends, travel sponsorship to off-island research conferences, and scholarships.  Scholars are also actively involved in service learning usually in the form of peer tutors of science & math enrichment. Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 for eligibility.
• SEAGEP Scholars – The South East Alliance for Graduate Education and Professoriate (SEAGEP) Program is designed for UVI science and engineering students to work with a faculty mentor during the academic year on a research project that is related to their career goals.  Scholars receive a monthly stipend, travel opportunities and other support.

ECS will offer two National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored summer research programs: 

·         SSRI Fellows - The Summer Sophomore Research Institute (SSRI) participants will work with faculty on a research project.  In addition, fellows in the SSRI program will be exposed to workshops on research methods, performing library research, computer and internet resources, service learning, and presenting research through poster and oral presentations.  Students will be required to present work at the Summer Research Symposium. During the six-week summer program, each participant will receive a stipend of $1,300, on-campus housing, and meal plan.  Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 for eligibility.  This program is restricted to St. Thomas and rising sophomores and juniors. 

·         SURE Fellows - The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) is a six week non-residential research program open to UVI students majoring in science, mathematics or engineering.  Through a competitive selection process, students will be chosen and paired with faculty members doing research in an area of interest to the student.  The length of the research experience will be agreed upon by the student and faculty mentor.  Each participant will receive a stipend of $2,500 for the summer.  Students will be required to present work at the Summer Research Symposium. Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 for eligibility.  This program takes place on St. Thomas and St. Croix.  

Our summer research programs will begin on June 18 and continue until July 27 with a capstone summer research symposium on July 27 from 1 to 3pm in the ACC building on the St. Thomas Campus. 

Please visit our website (http://ecs.uvi.edu) for additional information about each program. 

ECS APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Personal Statement 

Write an essay describing your career goals and reasons for applying to this program. Be sure to indicate research interest, previous research experience, graduate study focus, and how you will contribute to increasing diversity in science.

·          Our website includes suggestions for writing a personal statement. 

2. Application to Other Summer Research Programs

·          Freshmen are highly encouraged but not required to apply to external research programs. 

·          Please subscribe to myCampus for a list of recommended scholarships & summer research programs. 

3. Interview

Applicant should bring his/her 4-year plan, transcript (printed from Banweb), applications to other summer research programs, list of preferred research topics and/or mentor, and personal statement to the interview.  Applicant should be interviewed by at least one of the following professors:

·          Dr. Alice Stanford, STT, astanfo@uvi.edu, (340) 693-1389

·          Dr. Robert Stolz, STT, rstolz@uvi.edu, (340) 693-1242

·          Dr. Teresa Turner, STT, tturner@uvi.edu, (340) 693-1382

·          Dr. Velma Tyson, STX, vtyson@uvi.edu, (340) 692-4157

Students should be prepared to discuss graduation timeline, academic goals, career goals, and research interests.

4. Letters of Recommendations

Two letters of recommendations from UVI science, mathematics, psychology, and/or nursing professors emailed to ecs@uvi.edu .

5. ECS e-application 

·          Our website (http://ecs.uvi.edu) includes suggestions for completing an online application. 

·          If you have technical difficulties submitting your application, please call 693-1397 or email awright@uvi.edu

The University of the Virgin Islands' Emerging Caribbean Scientists Programs are sponsored by local and national grants from the National Institute of Health (MBRS-RISE #GM061325 & MARC #5T34GM008422); National Science Foundation (HBCU UP #HRD-0506096, VI-EPSCoR #0814417, & SEAGEP # HRD-0450279); and the J. Raymond Jones Foundation.