Student Challenge Awards Program (SCAP) Grants
Since 1990, the Student Challenge Awards Program (SCAP) has offered students the opportunity to experience scientific research first-hand. SCAP is a competitive fellowship program that rewards students age 16-18 who are creative thinkers and risk takers. The program is funded by an outside donor and implemented by Earthwatch. Students are assigned to sites carefully selected by Earthwatch for the quality of the research and educational commitment of the scientific staff. Out of over 400 applicants nationwide, only 86 teens were awarded fellowships during the 2008 fielding season.
We seek scientists with research projects appropriate for talented high school juniors and seniors who have little or no prior experience or demonstrated interest in science. Researchers are invited to apply for grants of $8,000 to $15,000 to cover the expenses of giving 6 to 8 students the opportunity to work alongside scientists at research sites in North America or Hawaii. Special attention is given to Earthwatch Principal Investigators (PIs) who are already participating in the Earthwatch program. SCAP funding supports projects that integrate field research, technology and laboratory or data processing.
This program aims to support the research and education initiatives of scientists by providing mentoring opportunities, research grants, and the assistance of talented high school students. The funder is especially interested in exposing students to the latest technology, innovative research equipment and projects based at research stations that expose students to a diversity of research. Unlike traditional Earthwatch projects, SCAP can support an intensive laboratory component. By connecting students with scientists, we aim to excite the imagination and expand the potential of these students, and to stimulate the students' curiosity about science and technology.
Student Challenge Awards projects are fielded between June 15 and August 15 and run for 12 to 18 days. Key features of a SCAP project:
- Multiple disciplines are acceptable
- A research site located at a research station is ideal
- Exposing the team members to other scientists is strongly encouraged
- Laboratory work can be a key component
- These teams require "24/7" supervision (the grant includes funds to pay for the additional project staff) including staffed field trips on days off and structured evening and down time
- Your work with the team includes creating and posting a project web site
- If you already run a regular Earthwatch project, you will be working with a different Program Manager for all aspects of your SCAP project
- PIs work with the Program Manager for SCAP to produce an explicit project briefing document, unique to SCAP
- During your first SCAP fielding, we typically arrange a site visit to offer support/guidance for this unique program; projects may also be visited by a representative of the funder
- PIs complete a final accounting for their SCAP team within 90 days of the project's completion
How do SCAP projects differ from Conventional Earthwatch Projects?
Important features unique to the SCAP student experience
Feedback from students and researchers
SCAP Proposal Form (MS Word doc)
The deadline for proposals for the 2009 fielding season is September 5, 2008. To discuss potential projects, or for further information, please contact Eric Lundquist at elundquist@earthwatch.org.