Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)

What are the benefits of LSAMP?

All program services and activities are intended to bolster the academic performance, persistence and graduation rates of underrepresented minority STEM students. Benefits include:

• Peer mentoring
• Academic support
• Earlier enrollment dates
• Career and grad school preparation
• Professional guidance to set and achieve goals
• Assistance with financial aid and scholarships
• Experiential learning opportunities (internships/research)
• Program funding to support LSAMP activities
• Be part of a supportive community of STEM students

Who is eligible?

Any enrolled undergraduate student who:

• identifies as an underrepresented minority*,
• is interested in exploring a STEM-related degree or career,
• and needs support to achieve their goals.

*The National Science Foundation defines underrepresented minorities as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders.

What is the cost?

All SNNA‐LSAMP services are free of charge to all students selected to become participants

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For priority consideration, apply early each semester. Download an application and email to lsamp@nau.edu or drop off at our office in Biological Sciences, Room 132.

Once you have received confirmation from LSAMP that you have been accepted to the program, you are then eligible to work with any faculty member to apply for research funding! You can either contact us to help you find a faculty member, or talk to any professor you are interested in working with. Together, you can then apply for funding – see the Research tab.

One of the benefits of LSAMP is our peer mentoring program that allows students to receive one-on-one support from other students in the program. Through mentoring, LSAMP students will be provided resources to help them succeed academically and socially.

The mentoring program we offer allows participants to learn from both being a mentee, as well as being a mentor. LSAMP freshman and sophomores are paired with junior or senior mentors, ideally in a similar academic discipline. These same junior and senior students are paired with STEM graduate students, who will guide them through the transition of graduation to graduate school or career plans. LSAMP peer mentors are offered training each semester to support their progression from mentee to mentor.

LSAMP strives to provide resources and support to LSAMP participants interested in undergraduate research. We have a multitude of faculty researchers eager to work with LSAMP students and we offer a variety of funding options. Students are encouraged to meet with our staff about opportunities within their academic field. We will provide guidance on their next steps and outreach to appropriate faculty/labs. Once a research project is secured, the student can apply for one or more of the following stipends:

• Research stipend of up to $2,000 (approximately 150 hours) of internship/research work with a defined, independent project. This stipend is renewable for projects of a larger scope. The online application for this type of stipend can be found here. 
• Material and supplies stipend of up to $600 for lab supplies, poster printing, field equipment, etc. The online application for this type of funding can be found here.
• Travel stipends of up to $650 for travel to professional conferences, field site visits, etc. The online application for this type of funding can be found here.

We award stipends for research completed during fall, spring and summer semesters on a rolling-basis throughout the academic year. Priority is given to upper-division students who are first-time applicants. Lower-division students and second-time applicants may be eligible as funding permits. Check with the LSAMP office for priority application deadlines each semester.