Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the incoming cohort is full.
This is the final cohort of this grant project.
The “Lighting the Pathway to Faculty Careers for Natives in STEM” (LTP) program provides full circle of support to American Indians, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral scholars who are on the pathway to becoming STEM faculty. This full circle of support includes mentorship, travel funding, and educational/research/ fellowship/internship opportunities.
The LTP program was originally awarded a 5-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2014. Then in the summer of 2019, LTP received a second 5-year NSF grant to continue as LTP Phase II.
Eligibility
- Must be enrolled in a program leading to an academic degree at an accredited four-year college/university or two-year college.
- Interest in becoming a faculty member at a college, university, or tribal college/university.
- Have a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA), with consideration being given to applicants reflecting somewhat lower GPAs but with high potential to raise the GPA above 3.0.
- Current member of AISES.
Selection of students will seek balance with respect to a diversity of tribes, geographic areas in the United States, STEM majors, and gender. While the focus is primarily on American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians, all AISES members are eligible. The selection process will attempt to ensure that a diversity of STEM disciplines is reflected.
Scholars in the program will receive a participation stipend of $2,000 per year for two years, and two years of travel funding to attend the AISES National Conference for all and AISES Leadership Summit or discipline-specific professional conference for some. Scholars will be matched with an AISES selected faculty mentor to interact with at least monthly. Scholars are required to participate in skill-building, professional-development in-person programming and webinars. Finally, scholars will have the opportunity to engage in an active community of Native STEM researchers.
Application Instructions
- You must be either an undergraduate student, graduate student, or post-doctoral fellow to apply.
- Complete the “Lighting the Pathway” application online
- Applicants should be prepared to answer the following essay questions during the application:
- Why do you want to participate in this program? (250 words or less)
- Explain your STEM research interests and provide explanations of your previous research experiences. (500 words or less)
- Briefly explain how you deal with setbacks, failures, or adversity. (250 words or less)
- Provide an example where accountability played an important role in your success. (250 words or less)
- Explain your current professional career goals. (250 words or less)
- Upload the following supporting documents:
- Unofficial transcript(s)
- CV/Resume
- One Letter of Recommendation
- Applicants should be prepared to answer the following essay questions during the application:
- Application and supporting documents must be complete
If you have any questions, please contact Brittany Anderson at banderson@aises.org
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