[Plsfaculty] WAESO: funding opportunity for URM undergrad researchers

[Arnold, Betsy - (fungi)]

Dear colleagues,

Please see the information below from Jennifer Cubeta regarding a funding-and-mentoring opportunity for undergraduates. Short proposals are due July 19.

Warm regards,

Betsy

________________________________


WAESO: funding opportunity for URM undergrad researchers



I’d like to highlight the financial support that the Western Alliance to Expand Student Opportunities (WAESO)<https://www.waeso.org/> might be able to offer in supporting underrepresented minority undergraduates in your research groups. Over the years, I have seen many UArizona faculty utilize this mechanism to provide funding to their undergraduate researchers in STEM from underrepresented minority populations (Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, Native Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians/Alaska Natives) who are US citizens or permanent residents, regardless of their socioeconomic status.



In a nutshell, the way that WAESO typically works is as follows: Faculty submit a short proposal for a student project (for 1-3 students) for the upcoming semester.  If selected for funding, the student(s) must complete additional biographical information, and then they receive a stipend directly from WAESO.  At the end of the semester, both the student(s) and faculty must submit a final report on the students’ project.  Students may receive up to a total of 3 semesters of support from WAESO, but faculty must write a proposal for their student(s) for each semester for funding.



If you are interested, applications for Fall 2024 are due July 19, 2024.  I have included additional information on WAESO below and attached if you would like to pursue WAESO support for your undergrads.



Regards,

Jennifer

---------------------------------

Jennifer Cubeta, M.Ed.

Director, Undergraduate Biology Research Program (UBRP)

University of Arizona

cubeta at arizona.edu<mailto:cubeta at arizona.edu>

ubrp.arizona.edu




WAESO is currently accepting proposals for Faculty-Directed Undergraduate Research Projects:

  *   The goal of this program is to provide students with the opportunity to serve as apprentice researchers collaborating in a faculty member's research project in a capacity that genuinely prepares them for further research at the graduate level (See the attached general and project guidelines for more information).

Instructions to Apply:

  *   The URL to apply is https://waeso.asu.edu/waeso<https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/ZbK6C6YpnlfGxOALipAfhp?domain=waeso.asu.edu>
  *   Register (new faculty): Before you can have access to view the online WAESO guidelines and complete the online WAESO application, you must register on the WAESO website by generating a user ID and a password of your choice. After this step is completed, you will have access to select and complete the application for the Faculty-Directed Undergraduate Research Project.
  *   Complete the WAESO application and upload documents: In addition to completing the WAESO application and research questions, you will need to upload three documents in pdf format, those are:

     *   Faculty’s CV
     *   Project proposal: A brief description of the scope of the project, as well as the activities you will undertake to mentor the students.
        *   In the body of your proposal, we ask that you please include a section related to: 1) How you plan to engage students in significant research experiences. 2) How the proposed research experience will contribute to society. 3) How you will engage or train students in broadly disseminating the research results (e.g., through presentations, publications, or conferences).  4) How you will help your students to get to the next level (e.g., transferring from a 2- to 4-year institution, applying for and attending graduate school, or becoming future leaders in STEM.) 5) What resources will be available to assist students to achieve their potential? Alternatively, what workshops might be helpful for WAESO to sponsor in order to help your students (as well as other students)?
     *   Project schedule: Brief description of the hands-on STEM activities that students will engage in the research project.

  *   Once the required documents are uploaded, you are ready to submit the WAESO application.

Please keep in mind that, although the National Science Foundation (NSF) has social science and psychology research as part of its overall portfolio, our WAESO program does not support social science as part of its funding guidelines for this program.

Stipend awards:

  *   Student stipends may only be awarded to qualifying underrepresented students participating in research projects. Student stipends are sent directly to the students as soon as practicable following receipt of their student biographical information, and usually takes three to four weeks to process.  Students as well as faculty are required to submit final project reports at the end of the research project, which is at the end of the semester – WAESO views student stipends as incentives for students so that they will participate in activities that will enhance their ability to successfully obtain a baccalaureate degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) disciplines.


Student eligibility:

  *   The WAESO program is funded through the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The federally approved NSF LSAMP program seeks to diversify science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines by encouraging the increased participation of individuals that have been traditionally underrepresented in STEM areas. “Traditionally underrepresented in STEM” is defined by the NSF as US individuals that are Hispanic, African American, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Native Pacific Islanders, or Alaskan Natives. The NSF does NOT consider Asian-Americans or Anglo women or men to be underrepresented as part of its funding guidelines for this program.


We ask that you submit your proposal by the deadline of July 19, 2024 as this will accommodate the needed time for reviewing and making funding decisions prior to the start of the Fall semester.

Should you have any questions, please contact WAESO at (480) 965-0840 or via email at waeso at asu.edu<mailto:waeso at asu.edu>

We look forward to receiving your WAESO application!



Brandon Ortega

Project Manager IT

Western Alliance to Expand Student Opportunities (WAESO)

School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy

Arizona State University

Mail Code: 6106

Tempe, AZ 85287

p: 480-965-2778<tel:480-965-2778>

email: brandon.ortega at asu.edu<mailto:brandon.ortega at asu.edu>

For more information about WAESO

480-965-0840 | waeso at asu.edu<mailto:waeso at asu.edu> | www.waeso.org<https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/zlomC8XrpnfwxvZNH2pQxK?domain=waeso.org>


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