*Native American and Pacific Islander Research Experience Opportunity** for Undergraduates at LSAMP Affiliated Institutions*
*Deadline for application: February 28, 2014* *Please forward to interested students and faculty. * The Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) is pleased to announce a research experience and cultural exchange program designed for Native American and Pacific Islander undergraduate students (*NAPIRE*). This experience is supported by The Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Program (LSAMP, National Science Foundation). *What is this program like?* The NAPIRE undergraduate research experience introduces Native American and Pacific Islander undergraduate students to ecological research in the tropics. As part of the program, students apply scientific methods to ecological inquiry and discovery in a collaborative and team-oriented environment. Students complete an individual field research project including experimental design, data collection, analysis and presentation of results. In addition to their original research project, students will participate in lectures, seminars and other activities that focus on biodiversity, tropical ecology, conservation, and human ecology as well as the long-term research at the OTS biological stations. Participants interact with several Central American indigenous groups and learn about their conservation efforts. Each NAPIRE student is assigned a Research Mentor who guides their independent project and provides support during the program. *Who can apply?* NAPIRE is open to undergraduate science students interested in field ecology from LSAMP affiliated institutions. Students must be U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents who are students enrolled in accredited institutions in the United States (and Pacific Island Territories). Native American and Pacific Islander students are strongly encouraged to apply. To be eligible for NAPIRE 2013, students cannot be graduating from college prior to December 2014. *Research Site* The program is based at OTS’ Las Cruces Biological Station in Costa Rica, a mid-elevation site (1,120 to 1,385 meters) located near the border between Panama and Costa Rica. Las Cruces provides exceptional opportunities for research in fragmentation biology and restoration ecology. *What does the NAPIRE award cover?* NAPIRE 2014 covers round-trip air travel to Costa Rica and transportation during the course. Support for eight weeks at OTS’ field stations includes food and housing, research permits and supplies, mentoring from an experienced faculty researcher. Students receive a research stipend of $4000 for the summer. *When is the application deadline?* The deadline for applying for the 2014 NAPIRE summer program is February 28, 2014. Consideration for admission to the program requires that application materials be received by this deadline. *What are the program dates?* The program will be held in Costa Rica from June 9 to August 4, 2014. Students will mostly be in residence at Las Cruces Biological Station during the eight-week research experience, with some travel to other sites. For more information please visit www:ots.ac.cr/napire or contact the Program Coordinator: Barbara Dugelby at [email protected]. -- _______________________________ *Barbara L. Dugelby, Ph.D. *NAPIRE Program Coordinator Organization for Tropical Studies Cell: 830-965-6869 Skype: 830-392-0958 [email protected] ots.ac.cr/napir <http://ots.ac.cr/napire>
