Woods Hole Summer Student Fellowship 2025 in the USA

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About Woods Hole Summer Student Fellowship

Opportunity Details

  • Date Published: December 16, 2024
  • Application Deadline: January 05, 2025
  • Category: Fellowship
  • Oppotunity Locations: United States

Undergraduate students who will have finished their junior year at a college or university by the beginning of the fellowship period are eligible to apply for Summer Student Fellowships. Applications from students who will graduate before the fellowship starts are not accepted. The program is intended for students to participate during their final undergraduate summer.

Benefits of Woods Hole Summer Student Fellowship

Stipend
Summer Student Fellowship awards provide a weekly stipend for the ten- to twelve-week program. The stipend for the summer of 2024 is $680 per week.

Travel
Additional support is offered to help offset the cost of round-trip travel to Woods Hole. The 2024 travel allowance is $700.

Housing
Fellowship awards include Institution housing. WHOI housing is typically a shared-room in a shared-unit, with two single beds per room. Fellows will be e-mailed an electronic receipt for tax purposes at the end of the summer.

(Please note: International students are required to pay a 14% U.S. Federal income tax on stipend payments, travel allowances and the fair-market value of their WHOI housing. This tax will be deducted from their stipend payments through Payroll deductions.)

Woods Hole Summer Student Fellowship Requirements

Summer Student Fellowships are awarded to undergraduate students who will have completed their junior year at colleges or universities by the start of the fellowship period. Students who will graduate before the fellowship begins are not eligible to apply. The program is designed for students to participate in the last summer of their undergraduate years.

Preference is given to students studying in any of the fields of science or engineering including but not limited to the fields of biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, geophysics, mathematics, meteorology, physics, oceanography, and marine policy. Students must have at least a tentative interest in the ocean sciences, oceanographic engineering, or marine policy.  Through the Summer Student Fellowship program, WHOI's aim is to provide promising students with a meaningful first-hand introduction to research in oceanography, oceanographic engineering, or marine policy.

Members of groups underrepresented in ocean science and engineering are encouraged to apply.

  • Students in a three year Bachelor's Degree Program, such as those in the UK, must be in their second year
  • Students in a five year combined Bachelor/Master's Degree Program must be in the third year of the program

Academic Credit

WHOI does not offer formal academic credit toward degree requirements for participation in the Summer Student Fellowship Program. Students interested in earning academic for completing a Summer Fellowship should discuss this possibility with their academic institution.

Selection Process

Fellows are selected based on a holistic review of the applicant's previous academic and scientific achievements, interests, and promise as future ocean scientists or ocean engineers. Important consideration is given to matching each fellow with an appropriate advisor on WHOI's Scientific or Senior Technical Staff. Decisions will be made in mid-March.

Choosing a Project

Fellowships are awarded to pursue an independent research project under the guidance of a member of the Scientific or Senior Technical Staff. These projects typically are suggested by the advisor, and are agreed upon jointly by both the student and advisor. The advisors make every effort to help the student select and pursue a research project that can provide meaningful results in one summer's work. Fellows have an excellent opportunity to select and pursue a research project with access to more than two hundred practicing research scientists and engineers and to the facilities of a major oceanographic institution.

Finding an Advisor

Although it is not required, we encourage applicants to make contact with a WHOI Assistant, Associate or Senior Scientist or a Senior Technical Staff member who may be willing to provide an educational opportunity for a Summer Fellow in their laboratory. Lists of WHOI researchers and their research interests are available at the various department webpages.

Applicants are also encouraged to visit the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center website for potential sponsors from among their team of research scientists.

International Students

International students may apply to the Summer Student Fellowship Program. Our Foreign National Advisor will assist fellowship recipients in obtaining the necessary J-1 Visa paperwork. Documented proof of English Language Proficiency will be required to obtain a J-1 Visa.

If you are currently attending a U.S. institution/university on an F-1 Visa, you will need to discuss Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) with your current institution or university's International Officer or F-1 Program Officer to determine if you are eligible to participate.

Please note:

  • International students are required to pay a 14% U.S. Federal income tax on stipend payments, travel allowances and the fair-market value of their WHOI housing. This tax will be deducted from their stipend payments through Payroll deductions.
  • Participation for Summer 2024 will be dependent on any Visa or travel restrictions due to COVID-19.

Program Requirements

All Summer Student Fellows present a mid-summer oral progress report. At the end of the summer, all Summer Fellows are required to prepare a written report describing their research. Summer Student Fellows are also required to make a public oral or poster presentation of their results. All Fellows are required to attend the Summer Lecture Series as well as the Ethics in Science Workshop. In addition, Fellows are encouraged to participate in the busy summer schedule of seminars and events in the Woods Hole scientific community, which provides an excellent introduction to the many facets of marine science.

Application Date and Process

In addition to the on-line application form (click on the link to the application website to access this form), the following are required. All documents are submitted through the application platform:

  • A current CV or resume that shows educational background and work experience
  • A current unofficial transcript, a PDF document. (Note: An Official Transcript will be required from any applicant who receives a Summer Student Fellowship.)
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors or others familiar with the applicant's academic credentials (you may submit the name of one additional recommender for a maximum of 3). Your recommenders will receive a unique link to submit, more information here.
  • Research statement questions - Short essay questions within the application:

     

    • How would a summer of research at WHOI benefit your education and career goals? (200 words max)
    • Have you previously been involved in research or other projects as part of your classwork, a job, or an internship? Give an example of where you have used learned skills or knowledge to solve a problem. (200 words max)
    • What areas of marine research are you interested in and why? You may refer to a specific lab at WHOI or a general area, see WHOI Departments , WHOI Areas of Research and/or specific posted projects for 2025 (coming soon). (200 words max)
    • What qualities and characteristics will you bring to our program as a result of your life experiences, jobs and/or other activities that will help you to contribute to an inclusive and supportive environment in the Summer Student Fellowship program and beyond? Please provide specific examples.(200 words max)
    • Tell us something about yourself that you think we should know, either about your personal journey, your interests, and perspectives (e.g., this could be something learned from either a challenge you have faced and overcome, or a success you are particularly proud of). (200 words max)

Questions can be directed to:
Email: [email protected]

Completed applications must be submitted by 11:59pm EST, February 5. Applicants will be notified of decisions in mid-March.

Application Deadline

05 January, 2025

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