Science Scholars Program

Read more about the 2024-25 Science Scholars!

The Fellowship

Science Scholars are expected to:

• participate in part-time research activity (ten hours per week) during the Junior Year Spring semester,
• participate in full-time research activity for ten weeks during the Summer following Junior Year,
• participate in part-time research activity (ten hours per week) during their Senior academic year, and
• prepare interim reports after Spring [junior], Summer [rising senior] and Fall [senior], and a final report for the Foundation in May of their senior year.

All research activities are expected to take place under the supervision of a faculty member at Occidental College.

The Science Scholars will receive:

• Spring Junior year: study grant of $2,000
• Summer after Junior year: study grant of $6,000, free on-campus housing and meal plan. 
• Senior academic year:  study grant of $4,000
• $3,000 Budget for research expenses and professional travel

The academic year study grant may affect Scholars' eligibility for loan and work-study programs.

Eligibility

The program is open to current Juniors conducting research projects in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, cognitive science, computer science, geology, kinesiology, physics, or psychology (neuroscience emphasis) under the supervision of an Occidental College faculty in one of these disciplines. 

Students planning to study abroad or away from campus during the grant period are not eligible.

Application

Science Scholars are selected by a committee consisting of the Chairs of the specified science departments. Applications are evaluated in two rounds, students chosen as finalists will be invited to interview with the committee in January.  

Completion of the Application Form (available on October 1). You will be prompted to upload the following as a single PDF file (in this order), saved as LastName, FirstName - ScienceScholars25-26.pdf: 

• Non-Specialist Abstract: A 250-word description of the scientific proposal written for a non-specialist STEM audience.
• Proposal: A scientific proposal, limited to two single-spaced pages, that includes (i) a description of the problem and important known results; (ii) a statement of the specific question(s) to be investigated and proposed methodology; (iii) a discussion of one's earlier research work in this field, and in particular, any results obtained in the proposed areas; and (iv) a brief appendix consisting of diagrams, references and additional similar information that supports the argument of the proposal. (The appendix does not count toward the page limit.)
• Timeline: A proposed timeline for the completion of the work described in the proposal, limited to one single-spaced page.
• Broader Impacts: 100-word description of the broader impacts of your research project. 
• Personal Statement: In no more than one single-spaced page describe the nature of your interest in scientific work, career goals in science-related fields and professional aspirations, and your potential for leadership within the scientific community. 
• CV
• Itemized Budget: Use the Science Scholars Budget form.

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of: 

1. the quality of the scientific proposal and prospects for the candidate to make a scientific contribution by the conclusion of the funding; 
2. the strength of support from the proposed research mentor;                     
3. and the candidate's potential for leadership in science in their future career beyond Oxy.

Interested candidates should discuss the application with their research mentor or Igor Logvinenko (Faculty Director, Undergraduate Research Center). 

Mentor Letter of Support

Mentor Letter of Support should be written by the student's proposed faculty mentor, and should address the following: 

• Detail the capacity in which you have known and worked with the student, including the duration of your association.
• The quality and feasibility of the proposed research question and methodology, including the extent to which the project was developed independently by the student. 
• A mentorship plan that specifies the depth and kind of support the mentor will provide for the student’s successful completion of their project and their development as an Oxy student and a researcher, more broadly.
• The student's readiness to do the proposed work, including their mastery of skills required to complete the project. 
• The likely impact of this experience on their educational and professional development. 
• The student's potential for leadership within the scientific community.

Deadline

Application opens October 1, 2024 and is due on November 15 by 5 pm.