Need Help Finding a Faculty Mentor?!
Contact Kyla Welch, at Kyla.Welch@utah.edu and we will help you make a connection!
Apply to Become a Wilkes Scholar!
The Wilkes Scholars Program (WSP) enables outstanding undergraduate students to explore pressing climate challenges facing our state, region, and planet through transformative research. Wilkes Scholars will work with a mentor to advance research related to the mission of the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy — catalyzing innovative science and solutions to address climate change.
To be eligible to receive this funding, applicants must:
- Conduct research projects in the area of climate science and/or environmental studies. Examples of relevant research include, but are not limited to, drought and water issues, climate forecasting, air quality, climate policy, fire and climate extremes, and environment and human health.
- Provide a tenure-line or career-line faculty contact who will submit a letter of support.
- Be matriculated, degree seeking students at the University of Utah who have completed their first year of studies (sophomore+)
Wilkes Scholars are eligible for up $5,000 per semester and can receive two semesters of funding during the regular academic year (Fall and Spring). Students who receive funding are also eligible to apply for summer funding concurrently. Students who wish to receive funding through the summer must submit a new application before the March 15 deadline. Wilkes Scholars may be eligible for one subsequent renewal. Students may apply to become a Wilkes Scholar in any semester.
Wilkes Scholars awardees will be hired as temporary, part-time employees by the home department of their faculty mentor. Wilkes Scholars are paid $15/hour with a maximum Fall/Spring semester cap of 19hrs/week and a maximum Summer semester cap of 40hrs/week.
The Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy recognizes that a diverse student body benefits and enriches the educational experiences of all students, faculty, and staff. Thus, we strive to recruit students who will further enrich this diversity and make every attempt to support their academic and personal success while they are here.
Deadlines:
- March 15, 2023: Deadline to apply for Summer and Fall 2023 Funding
- October 31, 2023: Deadline to apply for Spring 2024 Funding
Requirements
- Conduct the research project under the supervision of a faculty mentor and as proposed in the application. Substantial deviations from the original project must be discussed with the Wilkes Scholar Program coordinator immediately.
- Attend AT LEAST TWO Undergraduate Research Education Series events during each award semester (4 total).
- Present your research at the Wilkes Summit in May of the following year
- Acknowledge support from the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy in the dissemination of the research.
We suggest the following: "This work was supported by funding from the Wilkes Scholars Program in the Wilkes Center for Climate Change and Policy awarded to [your name here]." Find Wilkes Center logo files here. - Devise a schedule with your WSP mentor to determine the number of hours of research work you will commit to your WSP Project. This schedule must be in writing and signed by both you and your WSP Mentor and submitted to the Wilkes Center administrator, Kyla Welch.
- Submit an end of project report detailing the progress and outcome of the research.
- Support the student in preparing the WSP proposal. The proposal must be written by the student.
- Mentor the student in conducting the proposed research. We suggest weekly meetings with the mentee to answer questions and provide feedback.
- Ensure that the student is appropriately certified as needed for Human Subject Research, Animal Research, Laboratory and other Environmental Health, HIPAA, etc.
- Support and reinforce policies with respect to the WSP award, including deadlines, the requirement that students present their work at the Wilkes Summit, and the end-of-semester final report.
- Acknowledge support from the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy in the dissemination of the research.
We suggest the following: "This work was supported by funding from the Wilkes Scholars Program in the College of Science awarded to [Students name]." - Please download and use our logo wilkescenter.utah.edu Devise a schedule with the Wilkes Scholar to determine the number of hours they will contribute to their WSP project.
- Serve as a reviewer for the WSP and/or moderate at the Wilkes Summit as needed.
- Submit a letter of support at the time of application
- Letter Considerations
- How long and in what capacity have you known this student? What evidence suggests that the student is capable of successfully completing the proposed project. List at least three specific mentoring activities you will undertake with this student. What is your overall assessment of this student and this project proposal? Please explain what you think the impact of a Wilkes Scholar Award would be to the student's educational and career goals. How does the student project or the student's role as researcher contribute to climate science and policy?
- Letter Considerations
1. Proposal
It is recommended students prepare a 2-3 page description of your proposed research project in advance and then copy/paste into the scholarship application system. In your proposal, include:
- Statement of the problem or topic of the research.
- Specific activities to be undertaken and timeline allotted to these activities.
- Relationship of the proposed work to the expertise of the faculty member.
- Relationship of the proposed work to the student’s future goals.
2. Complete the Online Application
The application portal is found here. In addition to your proposal, in the online application you will need to follow the prompts to include:
- Student information
- Faculty mentor contact information (full name and email)
- Full proposal (see step 1 above)
3. Post-Acceptance
- Upon submission of your application, the applicant’s mentor will receive an email with instructions on how to submit their recommendation. The mentor’s recommendation must be received by the deadline in order to be considered for funding.
- It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the faculty mentor receives the email link and is aware of the deadline
- Complete WSP project schedule and submit through the application portal [Download PDF]
- Complete the Student-Mentor Research Collaboration Agreement and submit through the application portal[Download PDF]
We're Here to Help
If you need support with the application, have questions about the process or with finding a mentor, contact Kyla Welch at kyla.welch@utah.edu.
More Opportunities!
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