Encouraging and supporting undergraduate minority students in the pursuit of excellence in Psychology

The American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention, and Training in Psychology  found that representation of persons of non-European decent markedly decreases at each succeeding level of psychology’s educational pipeline (high school through postdoctoral studies).  In response to this concern, the APA Office of Ethnic Minority Affairs (OEMA) submitted a grant application to the National Institute for General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) entitled “Developing Minority Biomedical Research Talent in Psychology: A Collaborative and Systematic Approach for Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Recruitment, Retention, Training, and Research.” This grant was funded, and Florida International University's (FIU) Department of Psychology participates as a member of the Southeast Regional Center of Excellence, established by the grant, in developing strategies for recruiting and training individuals in psychological research. The Psychology departments at the University of Miami and Miami- Dade College are our partners in this region.

 

PRIME AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Beginning in the summer of 1998 through the present school year, the FIU PRIME Faculty Committee has awarded Summer Research Awards, funded from the APA-NIGMS grant, up to 10 students.  Psychology department faculty members mentor these students in planning and carrying out research projects in areas of mutual interest. Many PRIME scholars give presentations of their work in a research colloquium. Additionally, many PRIME students present their research at other conferences in their field, such as the Society for Society for Research on Adolescence, Society for Society for Research on Adolescence, the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, and the American Psychological Society. Presentations such as these have helped PRIME students achieve their goals for subsequent graduate study in programs of their choice, including Cornell University , University of Central Florida , Florida International University, and Yale University .

FIU’s PRIME students have shown that undergraduate students who are mentored by faculty with active research projects can achieve both local and national recognition.  Students who are interested in being a PRIME scholar should identify and work with faculty on research projects as early as possible in their time at FIU.

 

FIU FACULTY COMMITTEE


Three faculty members in the Department of Psychology oversee the coordination of PRIME at FIU.

Dr. Bennett Schwartz, Associate Professor

Dr. Marilyn Montgomery, Associate Professor

Dr. Dionne Stephens, Assistant Professor

Dr. Maricel Cigales, Associate Chair

 

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS 

This program is funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and administered by the American Psychological Association. It is designed to "develop minority research talent in psychology."  Specifically, undergraduate minority students (Black, Hispanic, Asian-Pacific Islander, and Native American) will be provided research experience and mentorship in order to prepare for graduate school in psychology and to enter careers in the scientific study of psychology. 

Students that are accepted to the program will be invited to attend an intensive two day seminar on Monday June 22nd and Tuesday June 23rd, 2009.  This seminar will explore careers and research opportunities in Psychology. The goal is to provide the students with the skills needed to prepare for graduate school and research setting experiences.

Only students who have been working in a research laboratory or field placement will be eligible to participate .  Those that participate fully in the intensive two day seminar will be given a $500 research award and are eligible to apply for a $250 travel stipend for conference presentations.

 

ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM

Faculty Research Mentor :   Each student invited to participate in the seminar will be working with a faculty research mentor on a specific project. A goal of this program is to have students gain research experience and build a strong working relationships with their mentor and research team during their fellowship.   Students will report directly to their research mentor.

Research/Careers Seminar:   Each student will be required to attend this intensive two day seminar which will focus on conducting research in Psychology and career opportunities in Psychology.

Research Meetings:   Students participating in the program are expected to attend regular meetings with each other and mentors to discuss research and career opportunities. In addition, we will invite speakers from outside FIU to participate in this forum.

Research/ Conference Presentation:   Each student will be eligible to apply for a $250 travel award. This money can be used for travel to conferences where the student is presenting. The money can be used toward the conference registration fees or to help defray the cost of travel.

 

AWARD

A $500 award will be given in conjunction with the program.  Distribution of the award is contingent upon satisfactory participation and completion of the two day intensive seminar.  Participants may be eligible for continuing support in during the regular academic year via a $250 travel award. This money can be used for travel to conferences where the student is presenting. The money can be used toward the conference registration fees or to help defray the cost of travel.

APPLICATIONS

Applications are due on Wednesday April 1, 2009.  You are strongly encouraged to speak with a PRIME faculty committee member before preparing an application. Successful applicants will receive written notification of acceptance by Wednesday April 15 , 2009. Applications may be obtained from the Department of Psychology’s office, by contacting a member of the Faculty Committee. Please review the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information about the application process and sample applications.