RISE UP Program

• Check Eligibility Requirements
• Note Program Requirements and Important Dates
• Prepare Application Documents
• Submit an Application

Check Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for RISE UP, you must be:

• An enrolled DMACC (or IINSPIRE CC) student with coursework in a STEM discipline (check eligible majors)
• A US citizen or permanent resident
• Cumulative GPA of 2.7 and higher, and GPA of 3.0 and higher in major (preferred)
• Willing to commute to ISU during the program (typically 2-3 days per week, subject to program and research meeting schedules)

Scholars may apply to receive funding from ISU IINSPIRE after transferring to ISU.

As an applicant, you must also demonstrate:

• Commitment to program requirements
• Interest in new technologies and innovation related to your field of study
• Interest in transferring into a STEM bachelor's degree program
• Interest in exploring advanced STEM workforce and graduate school opportunities

Eligibility requirements and other factors such as availability of funding are used to make final selection decisions.

Note Program Requirements

As a RISE UP participant, you will be expected to:

• Commit to a minimum number of hours per week of in-person research training on the ISU campus (typically 20 hours/week during the 8-week summer program)
• Learn about mentorship and engage with your research mentor(s)
• Attend regularly scheduled IINSPIRE meetings and seminars (typically weekly during the summer)
• Meet with program coordinators
• Contribute to a supportive environment for IINSPIRE Scholars
• Participate in research training events organized by the ISU Undergraduate Research Office (depending on availability)
• Create a research poster
• Present your research poster at the IINSPIRE Alliance Annual Conference (during the summer, scholars will also present at the ISU IINSPIRE Summer Symposium) and consider other regional and national presentation opportunities
• Acknowledge NSF support in any materials (see the required statement)
• Learn about graduate school and REU opportunities and how to apply to programs

RISE UP Benefits

Research experiences prepare and benefit community college students in many ways, such as:

• Learning about and engaging in the practices of your STEM field and community
• Gaining confidence and expanding your networks, thus increasing success and retention in STEM pathways (e.g., transfer into bachelor’s program, undergraduate degree, graduate degree, STEM workforce)
• Connecting and interacting with your research group and peers
• Working with faculty mentors and being supported through mentoring relationships
• Preparing for graduate school, future research activities, and/or future careers in STEM
• Gaining research competencies and skills, such as critical thinking and communication (list of research competencies)

IINSPIRE RISE UP offers early participation in research experiences, which may be especially beneficial.

Note Important Dates

Applications are due April 25 for the RISE UP summer program. This is a target date to ensure consideration. Earlier applications are encouraged, and applications will be reviewed as they are received. Offers will be made starting in April and no later than May 15.

Prepare Application Documents

• Applicants will need to provide information to confirm eligibility requirements.
• Applicants will need to upload a resume with the application form (PDF file).
• Applicants may identify a potential research mentor, laboratory, and/or project, and if so, applicants will need to provide this information and submit a project description with the application form. This is optional.
• Two short essays are required from all applicants. One essay is to describe a research area of interest. The research area will be used by the program to determine potential research mentors as needed. Another essay is to describe career interests and goals. These essays are required.
• Previously funded IINSPIRE scholars will also be asked to provide information about their prior accomplishments as a scholar.
• Applicants should download and use this worksheet for the essay questions: Scholar Application Essay Questions Worksheet

Submit an Application 

Apply for RISE UP

Students selected as RISE UP participants will be paid a stipend during the summer in which they are participating in an undergraduate research experience.

You may be contacted by email if information is missing from your application or more information is needed.

Questions

Please read all information carefully. If you have questions not addressed on this website, you are welcome to contact your campus director.