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                         November 16, 2001

New opportunities for students interested in global change research

OAK RIDGE, TENN. -- Undergraduates and graduates have the opportunity to participate in multi-disciplinary global change research sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, Environmental Science Division. U.S. citizenship is required and appointment is competitive. Research areas include atmospheric sciences, ecology, global carbon cycling, climatology and paleoclimatology, terrestrial processes, integrated assessment and prediction, computer modeling and earth system processes.

The Global Change Education Program includes: 1) the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), 2) the Graduate Research Environmental Fellowships (GREF), and 3) the Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) programs.

The primary goal of these GCEP programs is to involve undergraduate students -- at the end of their sophomore or junior year -- and graduate students in DOE-supported global change research. Minorities and women are also encouraged to apply.

Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
The 10-week SURE program sponsors an orientation workshop, research with mentors at DOE facilities and an end-of-summer workshop. Although the program targets sophomores and juniors, outstanding freshmen applicants will also be considered. Participants receive a weekly stipend and their travel expenses are paid. Participants are encouraged to apply for participation in subsequent years.

Graduate Research Environmental Fellowships
The GREF program sponsors doctoral students enrolled in life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and/or engineering. Fellowships are renewable for up to three years. Fellows receive a monthly stipend for 12 months annually and their tuition and fees are paid. Fellow may choose to participate in some or all of the SURE summer activities. Applicants must have completed at least their first year in graduate school, unless they have been participants in either SURE or SOARS.

Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research & Science
SOARS is a four-year undergraduate program for students pursuing careers in atmospheric and related sciences. This program, administered by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo., is dedicated to increasing the number of African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino students enrolled in atmospheric and related sciences. To reach this goal, SOARS offers educational and research opportunities, mentoring, career counseling and guidance, and financial support to participants.

The deadline for applications for SURE and GREF is Feb. 1, 2002. For complete information and interactive electronic applications, visit the program’s home page at www.atmos.aml.gov/GCEP. For complete information about SOARS, visit www.fin.ucar.edu/soars. You may also contact the individuals identified on the Web pages.

The GCEP-SURE and GCEP-GREF programs are administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.