BLaST Research Scholarship Application

AY 2023-24 Scholarships

AY 2023-2024 Scholarships  

Announcement Date: 1/20/2023

BLaST is not accepting scholarship applications for AY2023-24. For any questions, please contact our office.

 Frequently Asked Questions about the BLaST Scholarship

  1. BACKGROUND

The Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) program previously offered BLaST Scholarships. The overarching goal of BLaST is to enhance undergraduate training and mentoring in biomedical research through increased diversity of students, increased integration of research and teaching, and enhanced integration of rural campuses into a cohesive biomedical community in Alaska.

BLaST is funded by the NIH and the NIH encourages institutions to enhance the participation of individuals from groups identified as underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences, such as:

1) individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis [Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders];

2) individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; and 3) individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, defined as (a) individuals who come from a family with an annual income below established low-income thresholds periodically published and (b) individuals who come from an educational environment such as that found in certain rural or inner-city environments that has demonstrably and directly inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career. For a complete description of the NIH’s Interest in Diversity 

  1. PREVIOUS ELIGIBILITY

Previous UAF undergraduate students, from all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds met the following eligibility requirements:

  • have an interest in biomedical or One Health research;
  • be considering a career in healthcare, biomedicine, or research in life or social sciences;
  • have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher;
  • enroll for and maintain 12 or more credits at UAF each semester of the 2022-2023 academic year;
  • be a US citizen, US non-citizen national or permanent resident;
  • be enrolled in an academic degree program in biomedical field at UAF in Fairbanks, Alaska.

III.  PREVIOUS AWARD AMOUNT

The BLaST Scholarships covered tuition (up to 15 credits) + fees for fall and spring semesters (and summer session if the awardee is eligible and chooses to enroll in summer) and received a monthly stipend of $1,114.

    1. PREVIOUS EVALUATION CRITERIA

    An ad hoc BLaST Committee reviewed the past years' applications since 2014. Applications were evaluated based on the following:

    BLaST New Research Scholar Evaluation Criteria:  

    1. Academic Experience
    2. Research Interests
    3. Diversity Statement
    4. Motivation
    5. Programmatic Fit

    BLaST Renewal Research Scholar Evaluation Criteria:

    1. Academic Experience
    2. Research Interests
    3. Motivation
    4. Programmatic Fit
    1. AWARD CONDITIONS

    BLaST Scholars are required to actively participate in the BLaST learning community and its events which include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • Attend BLaST Orientation;
    • Active participation in research and completion of required research hours;
    • Enrollment in BLaST-sponsored courses (1-2 credits each) for both semesters;
    • Participation in other BLaST-sponsored activities as requested (monthly gatherings, regular meetings with BLaST mentor, trainings, etc.)
    • Maintain good academic standing - a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better and successful completion of 12 or more credits each semester;
    • Attend at least two BLaST supported trainings;
    • Attend the Biomedical One Health Seminars;
    • Provide information about specific projects and activities as requested.

    Please call our office at uaf-blast@alaska.edu, 907-474-5111, or contact Lori Gildehaus at lagildehaus@alaska.edu for any questions about this former funding opportunity.