1. New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation
Undergraduate Research Scholars
Fall 2018 – Program Eligibility
and Application Instructions
Apply via Portal: mynmamp.nmsu.edu
Application Period: April 4 – May 3, 2018
New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation
Engineering Complex 1, Room 115
(575)

2. Undergraduate Research Scholars (URS) Program
URS program supports undergraduate students in faculty-mentored research projects
Professional development
Preparation for internships, graduate school, and/or workforce
$2,000 stipend, plus $250 for materials

3. Who qualifies?
Student majoring Science, Technology, Engineering, Science, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline
Preference will be given to underrepresented minority students:
African Americans or Blacks,
American Indians or Alaska Natives
Hispanic or Latinos
Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders

4. Eligibility and Selection Criteria
U.S. citizenship or status as a national, refugee alien, or permanent resident per NSF guidelines
Full-time enrollment in a STEM discipline
Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 at the beginning of each semester of URS support
Commitment to the project for a minimum of one year (contingent on progress and continuing eligibility)
A strong interest in and potential for graduate studies is also considered

5. Before you start the URS application meet with your faculty mentor
Strongly encouraged to meet with your research faculty mentor to discuss the project proposal weeks prior to the application deadline
Discuss with your research faculty mentor that they will need to approve the project proposal via the portal prior to the deadline
(failure to do this will result in an incomplete application)
Project Proposal
Title
Project Goals and Objectives (100 words)
Review of methods to be used (200 words)
Results, benefits, or information expected to be gained from the project (300 words)
Identify three primary tasks/outcomes you will complete or accomplish during the semester (300 words)

6. Application Components
Academic Information – graduation date, major, cumulative GPA, etc.
Program Involvement – have you participated in any other New Mexico Program, including URS, SCCORE, Transfer, etc.
Faculty mentor contact information
Please make sure you enter your faculty mentor correctly
Transcripts
Please provide the most recent transcripts
Student Agreement and Disclosure Form - filled out as part of your profile

7. Application Components – Cont.
Essay Question – Describe why you are applying for the URS program, your qualifications, and your educational and career goals. (500 word limit)
Audience: Review committee comprised of STEM Faculty
Be creative – introduce us to your background and your interests
Compelling story that can explain why you chose to go a particular direction (this can also be the basis of your essay)
USE this opportunity to reveal other sides of yourself and help the committee get to know you better
It should NOT be an opportunity to tell the committee what courses you have taken, and/or why you need the money

8. Application Components – Cont.
Project Proposal
Title
Project Goals and Objectives (100 words)
Review of methods to be used (200 words)
Results, benefits, or information expected to be gained from the project (300 words)
Identify three primary tasks/outcomes you will complete or accomplish during the semester (300 words)

9. How to apply to URS program?

10. Applying to URS Program
Create an account on the New Mexico AMP Portal:
IMPORTANT: USE AN
ACCOUNT YOU READ
Enter your profile information
Biographical
Contact
Ethnicity and Race
Student Agreement and Disclosure Form (UPLOAD THIS FILE)

11. Applying to URS Program
Start/complete the URS Application
Click on Program Applications
Start a new application
Select – New Mexico State University
Select – Undergraduate Research Scholars
Fill out the following:
Academic Information
Program Involvement (with the New Mexico AMP Program)
Essay Question
Faculty Mentor Information – see step #3
Project Proposal
Transcripts
Note: You do not have to fill out all the sections of the application at once. You can save/edit your application and return to it.

12. Applying to URS Program
Fill out the project proposal and send it to your mentor
You must fill out this section of the application; however, it will need to be sent to your faculty mentor for review
Faculty mentor will receive an from notifying him/her that you have submitted the URS project proposal for review
Faculty mentor MUST review, approve, and submit the final project proposal prior to your final application submission
Failure to do so will result in your application being incomplete

13. Applying to URS Program
Submit application
You will receive an from mynmamp.nmsu.edu notifying you that your faculty mentor has reviewed and approved the project proposal
Review the project proposal and Submit the application prior to the deadline
Check Dashboard for Application Status (left hand side of the portal)
Make sure the application (semester/year) shows the date of submission and indicates it has been completed (submitted)

14. please contact Gaby Cisneros at 575-646-2438 or gcisnero@nmsu.edu
Questions
please contact Gaby Cisneros at or

15. Frequently Asked Questions
If my faculty mentor does not review and approve the project proposal prior to the deadline, will my application be reviewed?
No, your application will be considered in-process (incomplete). Please remind your faculty mentor to review and approve the project proposal before the deadline.
How will you be notified if you got accepted to the program?
You will receive an from after grades for the current semester are posted. Please check your regularly.
How many students are accepted in the URS program each semester?
Varies from 20 to 25 students
Can I apply even if I only have one more semester to graduate?
Please apply. The review committee selects the students for the program.

16. Frequently Asked Questions
Who funds the URS program?
New Mexico AMP is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). URS funding is from National Science Foundation.
What other opportunities are available through New Mexico AMP if I am selected for this program?
Provide some travel funds to attend research conferences in your field
Opportunities from New Mexico AMP partners to present at other research conferences, such as NMAS, EPSCoR, other LSAMP programs, etc.
Potential internship opportunities