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Student Opportunities

NCBSI DHS Summer Scholars Academy Program at The University of Texas at El Paso

The 2013 Homeland Security Summer Scholars Academy: Undergraduate Research Program

This ten week summer program, established by NCBSI, is geared towards academically inclined undergraduate students from various disciplines interested in careers in homeland security and related industries. Academic achievers may apply to work with professors on research in border security, immigration and other homeland security related research areas at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Scholars selected for this program will gain experience in one of the most dynamic border regions in the country, network with other students from UTEP and universities from across the nation, and visit homeland security agencies and learn from experts in the field.

Students chosen for the program are awarded a $4,000 stipend, and in addition receive paid on-campus housing, a meal allowance, and travel reimbursement if they do not live within commuting distance (100 miles from campus).

Program Details

Students interested in this option should review the research projects available for the 2013 program, and feel free to contact the lead faculty members to learn more about the nature and requirements of the projects. Applicants will select three projects that meet their interests and match their undergraduate area of study, and for which they are eligible based on individual project requirements, and rank them in the order of their preference. If selected for the 2013 program, scholars will be paired with a faculty research mentor and work cooperatively on the research project selected for the ten week period

Selected scholars are expected to dedicate forty hours per week to the program. Of those forty hours scholars are expected to dedicate 32 hours per week on the research assigned and eight hours to attend the weekly field activity scheduled on the designated day which may include tours and interactive activities with local DHS sub-organizations, guest speakers, workshops, and other field research outings.

At the end of the ten week period, students are required to create a research poster based on the data collected from their research experience and present their results to an NCBSI selected panel and other invited guests in an NCBSI sponsored reception and poster contest scheduled for the final day of the Scholars Program. Select posters may be selected to represent the NCBSI at the Annual DHS Network Summit held in Washington D.C.

2013 Research Projects

Key Program Dates

• Deadline for application submissions is March 25th.
• Selections announced and notified on April 16th.
• Travel day and check in to housing for out of town scholars on Monday, June 3rd
• Orientation for Academy Scholars on Tuesday, June 4th
• Research: Wednesday, June 5th through Thursday, August 8th
• Homeland Security Summer Scholars Presentations: Friday, August 9th
• Dates for scheduled field activities to be provided to scholars during the orientation

Program Eligibility and Application Requirements

• Undergraduate student classified as a junior or above (minimum 60 college credit hours earned)
• Overall GPA of 3.3 or above
• Official transcripts
• Two letters of reference from professors in your major or an individual at the University level that has served as mentor in some academic capacity (must include their contact information for verification and follow up)
• Resume
• Statement of purpose