OTS
Minority Scholars Program
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What
former fellowship recipients say: |
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"The
experience will never be forgotten. I still talk with
the course participants. I also understand the importance
of field science in a way I did not appreciate before."
Myesha M., Hampton University |
"I
met many wonderful people, both students and instructors.
I am positive that many life-long professional and personal
relationships were forged in the forests of Costa Rica."
Joel A., Howard University |
"Being
out there in the forest gave us a chance to explore the
endless possibilities and resources of the environment for
our studies."
Dan H., University of Pittsburgh |
The
Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) is a nonprofit consortium
of 64 universities and research institutions from the United
States, Costa Rica, Australia, Canada, México, Perú, and South
Africa. Founded in 1963, OTS has a mission to provide leadership
in education, research, and the responsible use of natural resources
in the tropics. OTS is committed to providing opportunities
in tropical biology to students from racial and ethnic groups
underrepresented in the discipline. With funding from several
sources, the OTS Minority Scholars Program offers opportunities
for African American, Native American, and Hispanic American
students to participate in its field-based science courses in
Costa Rica.
Who
can apply?
The program is open to African American, Native American, or
Hispanic American students who are enrolled in accredited U.S.
undergraduate institutions. We also have fellowships available
for Costa Rican students. To apply, students must complete the
regular application form for the program including letters of
recommendation, official transcripts from all universities attended,
and a statement of purpose. In addition, students must complete
a one-page funding application. Application materials are
available from the OTS North American Office, Tel. (919) 684-5774,
email: ots@duke.edu, or www.ots.duke.edu.
What
does the fellowship cover?
OTS fellowships and scholarships cover the cost of tuition,
room and board, textbooks, and international travel to and from
Costa Rica. If accepted to the semester or Ethnobiology program,
students with no Spanish background will be asked to attend
a special three to four week intensive language program prior
to the semester. OTS will provide full scholarships to this
portion of the program.
What
programs are offered?
OTS/Mellon Fellowships are offered for the fall semester program
only. A list of fellowship, internship and scholarship opportunities
with OTS is provided below:
|
Program
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Opportunities
Available
|
| Undergraduate
Semester Abroad |
Mellon
Fellowships available for African Americans, Hispanic
Americans, Native Americans, and Costa Rican nationals;
fellowships cover all program-related expenses and are
available for the fall semester only.
|
| Summer
Tropical Biology and Ethnobiology |
Partial
and full scholarships available for African Americans,
Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans, funded by the
Mellon Foundation,for these two summer programs.
|
| Research
Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) |
Funding
available to U.S. citizens of all ethnic backgrounds; NSF
funding for selected students covers all program-related
expenses. |
What
are the application deadlines?
For the REU-2006 program the deadline is January 31, 2006;
for the 2005 summer programs it is April 1, 2005; and
for the fall 2005 semester program the application deadline
is April 1, 2005.
More
information?
If you would like more information on the program please contact
Rodney Vargas, Undergraduate Program Officer, at the North American
Office at (919) 684-5774 or by email at rvargas@duke.edu.
OTS staff can help you contact faculty at your institution who
are familiar with the program and put you in touch with former
program participants.
