BLaST Undergraduate Research Experience spring 2018 funding opportunity

October 24, 2017

University Relations

The program Biomedical Learning and Student Training, or BLaST, invites proposals for mentored undergraduate research projects. The overarching goal of BLaST is to enhance undergraduate training and mentoring in biomedical research through increased diversity of students, increased integration of research and teaching, and enhanced integration of rural campuses into a cohesive biomedical community in Alaska.

ELIGIBILITY
Current and prospective undergraduate students from UAF, UAS and Ilisagvik College, from all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, are invited to apply. To be eligible for a BLaST Undergraduate Research Experience, students must:

• have an interest in biomedical or One Health research;


• have a faculty mentor at their campus;


• have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher;


• and be enrolled at UAF, UAS or Ilisagvik College.

BLaST is funded by the National Institutes of Health. The NIH encourages institutions to enhance the participation of individuals from groups identified as underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences, such as: 1) individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis (blacks or African-Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders); 2) individuals with disabilities, defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; and 3) individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, defined as (a) individuals who come from a family with an annual income below established low-income thresholds periodically published at https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines and (b) individuals who come from an educational environment such as that found in certain rural or inner-city environments that has demonstrably and directly inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career.

AWARD AMOUNT
The BLaST URE award is up to $2,500 for spring 2018. Awards can be budgeted for research supplies and services, travel, and student salary (hourly compensation for a maximum of 20 hours per week). To be eligible for salary (hourly compensation) or travel funding, the awardee must be a full-time student (enrolled for 12 credits), be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and be enrolled in a degree program at UAF, UAS or Ilisagvik College.

APPLICATION FORMAT AND SUBMISSION PROCEDURES
Send the BLaST Mentor Confirmation Form to your mentor and confirm that it must be completed before midnight Nov. 19, 2017. If you do not have a mentor by Nov. 3, BLaST can help you find one.

Some of the information on the application includes:

• A description of the biomedical and One Health relevance of your project (200 words).


• An essay describing your project, which should include specific aims, significance of project, innovation, approach and mentoring plan (500-800 words).


• A budget with itemized total projected expenses up to $2,500.

Compose these sections in a separate document, proofread and revise as needed, and then enter them on the spring 2018 BLaST Undergraduate Research Experience. Applications are due by midnight Nov. 19, 2017.

You can download the flyer here. For more information, email Amy Topkok at aktopkok@alaska.edu.