Ecological Society of America

SEEDS Undergraduate Research Fellowship » Learn More

Eligibility:

*Students from underrepresented minority groups as well as other students with a demonstrated commitment to the program's mission are eligible to apply for program opportunities.
*Fellowship applicants must be enrolled as an undergraduate in an institution within the United States.

The SEEDS Undergraduate Research Fellowship is intended for undergraduate students who have a sincere interest in pursuing an ecology career and promoting the mission of SEEDS, have gained some experience in the field, and will be a sophomore, junior, or senior during the 2009 - 2010 academic year, with a graduation date no earlier than May 2010.

Mentor Matching Process: SEEDS fellows will conduct an independent ecological research project with the help of a mentor scientist. The mentor will be an ESA member, working outside the student�s home institution. The most unique aspect of the SEEDS Fellowship is that the student-mentor match is a highly individualized process. SEEDS staff work with each fellow once they have been accepted to find a mentor that is working in the student�s interest area and also in a close proximity to the student, when possible and when desired, to best facilitate the year-long format of the fellowship. On the application, students must also indicate their willingness to travel, if a local match cannot be made.

Stipend: For participating in the SEEDS fellowship, students receive a total stipend of $6,000, plus a total of $3,000 for research, travel, and housing expenses, in addition to all travel expenses for two ESA Annual Meetings and a SEEDS leadership meeting (a total award of over $13,000).

Requirements: Once students are matched with their mentors, the Fellowship officially begins during a SEEDS leadership meeting in February 2009 at the Sevilleta LTER in Socorro, NM. During the academic year, fellows are required to keep in touch with their mentors at least once a month through email, phone, or in person; complete a research proposal; and participate in monthly conference calls with the SEEDS fellow cohort. Most SEEDS fellows� field season will take place in the spring and summer of 2009. The fellowship concludes at the 20010 ESA Annual Meeting where students will present their research, giving fellows ample time to analyze their results and prepare for their presentation. Attendance at two ESA Annual Meetings and the SEEDS leadership meeting is required. A fellowship timeline that provides a timeframe for all of the project components can be found below.

Fellowship Timeline