In Summer 2022 the University of Vermont in collaboration with Sterling College and Bioversity International will be hosting an NSF-REU program which provides 8 U.S. undergraduate students from across the country with an 8-week fully funded summer research experience studying relationships between on-farm crop diversity and livelihoods in rural Vermont and rural Uganda. Our program includes 5 weeks of on-campus training in applied social science research methods, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistical analysis, and written and oral communication. This training is then followed by a 3-week applied field experience based in Hoima, Uganda [travel conditions allowing] focused on biocultural heritage of crops, crop conservation, sustainable agriculture, and cross-cultural relationships. In the event that international travel is not possible due to Covid-19 restrictions, field experiences will be based at the Rian Fried Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems at Sterling College in Craftsbury, VT, where we will continue to work remotely with our project partners in Uganda.
The REU Site program is open to students all over the country, with a particular emphasis on community college students, 2-year college students, low-income students, and underrepresented groups. We are seeking students who have demonstrated a track record of engagement and hard work, but who also may have not had access to the kinds of hands-on applied interdisciplinary research that our program offers. There is no requirement of strong expertise or past research experience in agriculture, GIS, or social science - just a demonstrated willingness to work hard, learn new techniques, and be a strong member of a student team. The program comes with a generous stipend ($4,800 for the 8-week program) and covers all living and travel expenses for the June-August summer program, including transportation to and from the University of Vermont, and all other airfare, ground travel and lodging expenses.
The application system is currently open via our website, with review of applications to begin January 15th. Any current student who is a U.S. citizen may apply - graduating seniors are not eligible, but all other students, including transferring 2-year degree students, are very welcome https://www.uvm.edu/cals/cdae/reu-in-uganda.
Call for Applications:
NSF REU Program at the University of Vermont and Sterling College
We are now accepting applications for a Summer 2022 NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program based at the University of Vermont and Sterling College. This REU will provide eight American undergraduate students from diverse academic backgrounds an opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research on the ecological, economic and cultural roles of on-farm crop diversity in rural Vermont and rural Uganda.
Under the eight-week summer REU program students will receive training at the University of Vermont (UVM) in rural development theory, social survey research methods, spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and written and oral communication. Working with partners in Uganda students will collect and analyze original farm, household and spatial data from smallholder farms and surrounding communities, and work closely with faculty mentors to prepare presentations and manuscripts on links between crop diversity and livelihood outcomes.
Completed applications including 2 letters of recommendation can be submitted online via (https://www.uvm.edu/cals/cdae/reu-in-uganda) and review of applications will begin on January 15th and continue until filled. The 2022 Summer REU Site program will run from approximately June 14th – August 9th, with some flexibility depending on Covid-19 travel restrictions, safety precautions, and quarantine needs. All travel costs will be covered by NSF and the summer program includes a generous stipend. All participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled at a U.S. college or university at the time of the program (seniors graduating in Spring 2022 are not eligible).
Details about the project and application instructions can be found at: https://www.uvm.edu/cals/cdae/reu-in-uganda
