MSEP CEI ALVA: Clean Energy Research Experience for UW Freshman and Sophomores
The University of Washington’s Alliances for Learning and Vision for Underrepresented Americans (ALVA) program targets underrepresented students in a variety of disciplines for summer internships. In partnership with the UW Minority Scholars Engineering Program (MSEP) and the Washington State Academic Redshirt (STARS) program, the Clean Energy Institute supports a summer research and enrichment ALVA program to promote retention and academic and professional excellence of early undergraduate students.
Eligibility
This program is open to all UW Engineering freshmen, as well as sophomores who have completed the STARS program.
Activities
Selected students take a spring quarter ENGR 202 professional skills course before conducting 9 weeks of full-time summer research in a CEI lab under the mentorship of a graduate student.
CEI labs focus on new materials for solar generation, energy storage and grid integration of renewables. Sponsoring faculty represent the departments of chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering and electrical & computer engineering.
Participating students join MSEP ALVA participants in social functions during the summer and receive counseling through MSEP in years following. Participants also join some functions of the Clean Energy Bridge to Research REU, such as the science interest group and end-of-summer poster session with other REU students.
Stipend
MSEP CEI students receive a $5000 stipend, as well as on-campus housing or a $2500 housing allowance.
Program Dates
Application Open: December 14, 2020
Application Deadline: February 12, 2021
Program: June 21 – August 20, 2021
Clean Energy ALVA for Incoming UW First-Years
The Clean Energy Institute also supports a summer research and enrichment program for incoming freshmen who will be attending the University of Washington Seattle campus, in partnership with the UW Genomics Outreach for Minorities (GenOM) program. Students who are interested in clean energy, and generally in science (chemistry, physics) and engineering (electrical & computer engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science & engineering, chemical engineering, and civil engineering) are encouraged to apply to the Clean Energy ALVA program. The program provides training in math, research ethics, and hands-on lab experience, and creates a rich supportive environment that is proven to increase retention at UW.
