High School

• 1. Check Requirements
• 2. Select a Research Project
• 3. Prepare an Essay
• 4. Prepare a Resume
• 5. Secure Principal's Reference
• 6. Selection Process

• 1. Prepare and submit a letter of recommendation.

Application Procedures
Go directly to the current on-line application forms

• Application Form
• Cover Letter / Resume Form
• Essay Form
• Reference Form
• Application Status

Highlights from '03

Research Assistantships for Minority High School Students
at the Smithsonian

This program is suspended until further notice. The RAMHSS and RET components were canceled in 2004 and we don't anticipate restoring them by 2005.

Established in 1910, the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History is home to more than 200 professional natural history scientists, the largest group of scientists dedicated to the study of the natural and cultural history in the world.

Much of our research is based on our collections, that total over 125 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, and human artifacts.

The collections provide essential evidence for much of what we know about the world around us, including knowledge about changes in the earth and climate, plants and animals and their evolutionary history, and human origins and culture. 

To learn more about the National Museum of Natural History visit our web site at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu

The Research Assistantships for Minority High School Students (RAMHSS) initiative at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History is an opportunity for minority high school students to spend five weeks during the month of July participating in supervised research activities with a Smithsonian scientific mentor.

Students will partner with a Smithsonian scientist to investigate a natural history research topic as well as participate in a series of lectures, workshops, demonstrations, behind-the-scenes tours, and field trips.

The purpose of these supplemental awards is to encourage high school students from groups traditionally underrepresented in U.S. science (African American, Hispanic American, Native American, and Native Hawaiian) to participate in NSF-supported research projects.

The goals of the RAMHSS program at NMNH are to establish long-term mutually rewarding relationships between science faculty at Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and high school students, targeting students from inner city schools and less well endowed school districts. The hope is to bring new insight and direct research experience to students who otherwise wouldn't had an opportunity to expand their learning beyond the traditional classroom. We are especially seeking to host those students with an interest in a career in the natural history sciences (biology, geology, anthropology), but who have not had prior research experience, and to provide sustained follow-up interaction between the host mentor and student through their educational career. Funding is from the biological sciences with emphasis on students seeking a career within this scientific arena.

The RAMHSS at the Smithsonian initiative will be hosted at the Natural History Building located on the Mall in Washington, DC and conducted in partnership with our Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, called the Research Training Program (RTP). Many events will be shared between programs and high school students will have regular interaction with the undergraduate students participating in the RTP.

For more information about the Research Training Program visit: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/

DURATION: 5 weeks (plus registration day)

DATES: The program has been suspended.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: No longer accepting applications

POSITIONS AVAILABLE: None.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, US citizens, who are currently enrolled high school students.
• Applicants selected to join the Smithsonian program must commit to participation in the full 5 week program.

AWARD PACKAGE: Although contingent upon securing funding to support the initiative, we anticipate providing students selected to participate in the program a stipend of $2,000 for the five-week program. In addition, up to $500 travel allowance will be provided for students outside the local DC area to support their transportation to/from Washington, DC.

Smithsonian scientists interested in hosting a RAMHSS student will review the application documents all student applicants.

Although they are not obligated to do so, scientists have the option to request a telephone interview with finalist candidates or even request an on-site, in person interview before making their final selection.

Scientists will select the one student they are most interested in working with.