The Office for Undergraduate Research is pleased to announce support for undergraduate research, scientific communication, peer mentoring and preparation for graduate school in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (a “STEM” discipline). This program is conducted in partnership with North Carolina A & T University, the lead campus in the North Carolina Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, (NC-LSAMP) Phase IV. Other participating campuses include Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. The overall goals of the NC-LSAMP are to increase the number of underrepresented minority students who earn degrees in STEM disciplines, pursue graduate study, and become faculty and/or researchers in their chosen field.

Eligibility:

All currently enrolled UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate students in good academic standing who have completed no more than two semesters of academic work are eligible to apply. Selected rising sophomore students will spend eight weeks during the summer doing 30 hours of research per week with a faculty advisor in Physics, Chemistry, Math, Computer Science, Biology, or Geology. They may also work with a postdoctoral or graduate student mentor. Students may also enroll in one 3 hour course for each of UNC's two sessions of Summer School.

Anticipated number and amount of awards:

We expect to make 10 awards of $3,000 each. Selected students will receive $1,500 after 4 weeks and another $1,500 at the end of the program, after they have submitted the required final materials. If a graduate student will also be involved in mentoring the undergraduate, the graduate student should be encouraged to apply for an associated Graduate Mentor Award (up to $1,000).

Application materials and selection process:

Interested students should complete the Application Form (.pdf), save it, and submit it as an email attachment to Dr. Nalin Parikh (nparikh@physics.unc.edu) and Harold Woodard (harold_woodard@unc.edu) by Monday, March 25, 2013 at 8 a.m. Finalists will be invited for an interview.

Reporting requirements:

During the summer, the students will attend scheduled group meetings to discuss their research progress. At the end of the summer, each student will present their work. In addition, each student must prepare an abbreviated PowerPoint presentation for display on the OUR website. To view previous PowerPoint displays, please visit the Past SMART Student Projects page. SMART students will be invited to participate in an undergraduate research symposium, the Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research to discuss their results. Students should also acknowledge support from the Office for Undergraduate Research in any publications resulting from the project.