1.Information

The 100K Strong of the Americas "An innovative US-Chilean Student Exchange Program: Linking Socio-Ecological Research and Sustainable Development" is a program open to all majors and all undergraduate and graduate students at UNT and other universities who enroll in at least 3 credit hours during Fall 2014 at UNT as a non-degree seeking / transient student. The recommended course is Introduction to Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation (BIOL 4053 / 5053 or PHIL 4053 / 6780. Selected students will be conducting research at one of the sites of the Chilean Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) network (Omora Ethnobotanical Park, Senda Darwin Biological Station, and / or Fray Jorge National Park Experimental Station), and participating in classes at Chilean universities associated with the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB).

2.Goal of the Fellowships

The Fellowship was created to increase the number of students studying abroad and conducting research in South America, focusing on exchanges with UNT's established Chilean partners, Universidad de Magallanes (UMAG) and Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB) http://www.ieb-chile.cl/index.php/main/seccion .

The selected candidate will have an opportunity to conduct research in the following topics.

(i) Long-term Ornithological Research

(ii) Bryophytes Ecology and Diversity

(iii) Aquatic Insects and Stream Ecology

(iv) Invasive Species Ecology

(v) Biocultural Ethics

(vi) Field Environmental Philosophy

The selected students will also be required to attend at least one (1) of the events listed in Section #6. The program is for a one-time fellowship of up to $1,500 to be applied toward travel expenses.

3.Award Eligibility

The 100K Strong of the Americas Fellows will be chosen from students who are admitted to an undergraduate, master, or doctoral program at UNT or at another U.S. University. Students must enroll at UNT to receive the award and UNT course credit. Selected candidate must commit to a minimum of 30 days in Chile to conduct research after participating in at a minimum of one (1) event listed in Section #6. During this period, student must be conducting research, coursework, and/or service learning to receive funding.

If candidate is an international student, the applicant will be responsible for acquiring their own visa to travel to Chile through the UNT-International Student and Scholar Services Office located in Sycamore Hall, room 288. Telephone: 940-565-2195, Fax: 940-565-4145. Email: internationaladvising@unt.edu, Website: https://international.unt.edu/node/134.

4.Application Procedures

Students must submit an application electronically via email to chile@unt.edu, with all supporting documents attached in PDF format.

- Application Form (see below)

- Letter of Recommendation: sent directly from a faculty mentor (major advisor) (Sent to be received within 10 days of application submission). See the section after 10 for mailing address.

- Applicant's curriculum vitae or resume

- Current official transcript of all college-level completed coursework up to this point for all course work completed outside of UNT. UNT coursework will be verified.

- Statement of Interest: Double-spaced, 12-point font Times New Roman and 1,000-word count essay written by the applicant addressing the following points:

(i) Interest in contributing to the stated goals of the Fellowship.

(ii) Explaining how will participating in the POA Fellowship and field experience affect your development as a student?

(iii) How you think your POA Fellowship would support the broader mission of the Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program and the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (www.chile.unt.edu and www.omora.org).

- Research Proposal: Double-spaced, 12 point font Times New Roman 100 word count essay describing the applicant's proposed research project and their faculty mentor (who should be the author of their Letter of Recommendation).

5. Application Procedures

The deadlines for the 2014 Fellowship to participate in the events mentioned in Section #6 along with minimum of 30 days in Chile to conduct research are:

Round 1 deadline: June 1, 2014 at 5:00 pm

Round 2 deadline: July 18, 2014 at 5:00 pm

Round 3 deadline: September 12, 2014 at 5:00 pm

6.Required Events

A. Enrollment in at least 3 credit hours during Fall 2014 at UNT as a non-degree seeking / transient student. The recommended course is Introduction to Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation (BIOL 4053 / 5053 or PHIL 4053 / 6780 or any biological sciences or philosophy course. B. Selected students will conduct research for a minimum of 30 days at one of the sites of the Chilean Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) network (Omora Ethnobotanical Park, Senda Darwin Biological Station, and / or Fray Jorge National Park Experimental Station. C. Fellows are required to attend at least one (1) of the following events as well as conducting 30 days of research in Chile. Please indicate which events you can attend (check all that apply) and your preference rank (1=first choice):

7.Criteria for Selection

(i) Academic Minimum GPA of 2.75 in college work, candidates with publication or presentation, awards, and/or recognitions will be given preference.

(ii) Research - previous involvements in research (e.g., NSF, NIH, competitive performances, etc.), and current research interests explained in the "Statement of Interest".

(iii) Potential for contribution to the stated Goals of the Fellowship.

After selection has been made based on the above criteria, students will be assigned an instructor at the research site (Chile) to discuss availability of travel dates, proposed activities and coursework.

8.Insurance Policy (International Travel)

Partners of Americas (POA) participants must have UNT-International insurance before they travel to conduct research at a Chilean location. Students participating in a UNT-sponsored program must purchase UNT's international insurance. This would apply to those students that are participating in a research project for which they are receiving funding from UNT. Please find the link below to Register International Travel for details about the Insurance Policy:

Register International Travel

9. Application Form

10. Student Statement and Signature

By signing below, I affirm that I meet all the requirements for this application, that I am willing to comply with all expectations of the Fellowship, and that all the information in this application is true, complete, and correct to the best of my knowledge.

By accepting this award, you agree to abide by the policies, rules, and regulations governing UNT. You authorize UNT to verify the information you have provided as needed. You understand that recipient information may be provided to the sponsor(s) or donor(s) funding any awards received, and that notice of this award may be publicized in university materials. You authorize UNT to provide copies of grades and periodic performance updates to the selection committee as needed, including members of organizations or foundations overseeing donor interests (i.e., foundations, trust administrators, etc.).

For students on externally funded sponsored projects, funding and selection processes are mandated/overseen by the sponsor/PI and your participation with related reporting requirements is expected.

Finally, you understand that the submission of false information is grounds for rejection and/or withdrawal of said award, including returning any Fellowship monies already disbursed.