Student Aid and Resources

The Amato Lab acknowledges the historical role biological anthropology, and biology more generally, has played in perpetuating racism by engaging in flawed science and science communication as well as supporting structural biases that exclude diverse perspectives at every level. We commit ourselves to improving the field and profession, beginning with our own research environment. In this spirit, here we list resources that may be helpful for trainees from underrepresented backgrounds that would benefit from additional professional and/or financial support. While our efforts are not limited to supporting a diversity of trainees, we believe this is one of the most important ways we can facilitate change in the long term.

Northwestern Specific Resources

The Northwestern University Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) is a seven week remote research experience hosted by northwestern for sophomores and juniors from colleges and universities across the US.

non-NU sophmores and juniors

The Graduate School’s Introduction to Graduate Education is a program aimed for under served rising juniors and seniors interested in doctoral programs. Students will be given the opportunity to network with faculty, staff, and current doctoral students.

Rising Juniors and Seniors

Hispanic Serving Institution Pathways to the Professoriate aims to increase promote Hispanic/Latino professors in Humanities disciplines at university and colleges throughout the US.

Internal NU graduate funding includes:

  • Beiling Wu Prize in Writing: for graduate student in the humanities in their first year of their PhD or MFA program.
  • Career Development Grant Program for Humanists and Social Scientists:  aims to facilitate professional development for TGS students in the job search.
  • Conference Travel Grant: funding for PhD and MFA students traveling for conferences.
  • Dependent Care Professional Development Grant:  for PhD and MFA students seeking to participate in professional development opportunities.
  • Digital Humanities Research Grant: for humanities students seeking specialized training in humanities-based methods.
  • Dissertation Proposal Development Program: a pre-doctoral research summer grant for PhD students in their 2nd and 3rd year.
  • The Dr. John N. Nicholson Fellowship: provides financial support for NU graduate students in PhD programs in the sciences, engineering, and management.
  • The Franke Graduate Fellowship: provides two quarters devoted to dissertation writing, interdisciplinary mentoring, development of a course to teach in their home departments for students in the humanities.
  • Interdisciplinary Conference Travel Grants for Mellon-Affiliated Students: provides travel support to attend conferences and seminars for students actively affiliated with the Mellon Cluster
  • Graduate Research Grant: aims to meet expenses related to research and creative endeavors for PhD and MFA students and postdoctoral fellows in underfunded discipline.
  • Summer Language Grant: financially assists PhD students seeking to advance language training necessary for their dissertation research.

Internal undergraduate funding

  • Emerging Scholars Program: Funding and workshops supporting students for 15 months (both during the school year and summers).
      • first year students who identify as a person of color, first generation college student, lower income, and/or marginalized.
  • Academic Year Undergraduate Research Grant: provides up to $1,000 to fund research expenses for academic and creative projects under faculty supervision.
      • Undergraduates that have not previously been awarded the AYURG.
  • Academic Year Undergraduate Research Grant Advanced: Students who have completed the AYURG can be awarded up to $1,000 to fund research expenses for academic and creative projects under faculty supervision.
      • Undergraduate students who have previously received the  AYURG and the WCAS academic year grant.
  • Summer Undergraduate Research Grants (SURG): provides a $3,500 stipend for living expenses for 8 weeks of (full-time) research or creative project under faculty supervision during the summer term.
      • Undergraduate students that have not previously been awarded the SURG.
  • Undergraduate Research Assistant Program: funds inexperienced students to work with faculty who are in need of assistance on their research programs.
      • undergraduate students who are new to research or conducting research in a new field.
  • Conference Travel Grants: Funds cover up to 50% of expenses (up to $500) to present research at conferences or exhibitions.
      • Undergraduate students (including seniors accepted to present prior to June 1st – even if presentation occurs after graduation).
  • Undergraduate Language Grant: provides up to $5,000 towards students pursuing intensive summer language training.
      • For undergraduate students, especially those who require language training for academic and professional goals.
  • Circumnavigator Grant: provides $9,500 for undergraduates to travel the world and research a topic of their choice.
      • Full-time junior undergraduate students

External Resources

Great Minds in Stem.  For under served students pursuing STEM education pre-college through college.

For Students High School through College and University

Cientifico Latino provides mentorship, open-access resouces on scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.

For Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professionals

Mothers in Science aims to encourage and provide resources for women to pursue careers in STEMM after having children.