CORVALLIS – Native American students attending an Oregon State University (OSU) or Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) natural science undergraduate program are eligible to receive a funding supplement of up to $5,000 for participating in an internship this summer.
Internships may be served with off-campus organizations, non-profits, industries as well as campus-based programs and research labs and are expected to last a minimum of eight weeks – advancing the student’s understanding of their field of study through experiential learning.
“There is a shortage of skilled college graduates to fill positions in agriculture, food and natural resources areas,” said Dr. Ricardo Mata-Gonzalez, associate dean of academic programs for the College of Agricultural Sciences at OSU. “This shortage is especially evident in underrepresented communities.”
According to Mata-Gonzalez, the goal is to recruit, engage, mentor and train scholars from underrepresented communities who will in turn “help develop the larger society in terms of equality, economics and respect for the environment.”
Participating students may also apply for an additional $1000 scholarship through this program once internships are completed.
The opportunity comes from the continued funding of the New Beginnings for Tribal Students in Oregon program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and was announced jointly Jan. 10 by state senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden.
“These investments for Oregon State University will…help ensure tribal students have the financial support and opportunities to achieve educational and workforce success,” said Sen. Merkley. “I am pleased to see federal investments for a new wave of well-prepared and diverse scholars.”
Application deadline is April 12, 2024. APPLY HERE
For student requirements and more information, visit the OSU website.
