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Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology

What is SCI-STEMA?

*This program has been archived.

SCI-STEMA stands for the Southern & Central Illinois STEM Alliance. The SCI-STEMA program offers holistic support and customized mentoring to guide students through the completion of their bachelor's degree and into graduate degree programs or careers in STEM. The program also provides summer research experiences at the Alliance institutions.

(Note: Illinois State was previously an alliance partner in the Southern Central Illinois Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation [SCI-LSAMP] and the Illinois Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation [ILS-AMP] program, which were funded by the National Science Foundation.)

SCI-STEMA Group Photo at the 2025 Summer of Inquiry Research Symposium

Caption: Group photo of the SCI-STEMA scholars at the 2025 Summer of Inquiry Research Symposium.  (Photo by Henrique Villela, Center for Civic Engagement)

Program Benefits

  • Holistic support for academic, personal, and professional development
  • Peer support across a network of scholars, STEM faculty, and alumni
  • Up to $3,000 of financial support (up to $1,500 per semester of full participation)
  • Research experience during academic year and summer
  • Graduate school and career preparation opportunities
  • Support to present research at professional conferences
  • Network building with STEM professionals

Scholar Expectations

  • Attend monthly SCI-STEMA-sponsored activities (e.g., monthly professional-development meetings, alliance-wide activities, annual research symposium)
  • Attend mentoring sessions with the SCI-STEMA leadership team and faculty mentors
  • Engage in undergraduate research activities

Scholar Eligibility

  • Be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program in one of the following units:
    • School of Biological Sciences
    • Department of Chemistry
    • Department of Geography, Geology, & the Environment
    • School of Information Technology
    • Department of Mathematics
    • Department of Physics
    • Department of Technology
    • College of Engineering
  • Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Desire to enroll in graduate school and/or pursue a career in STEM
  • Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA

Application

Applications are accepted from students who meet the eligibility requirements and are willing to meet the program expectations. Completed application packages include the following:

  1. Personal and academic information;
  2. Three (3) brief responses to (i) why you are interested in participating in the SCI-STEMA program, (ii) describe example(s) in which you have persevered and overcame a challenge, and (iii) what are your future academic and/or career goals.
  3. One (1) letter of recommendation
  4. Most recent unofficial transcript
  5. Resume/CV

The application is currently closed.