Frequently Asked Questions

The CIRCLE Grant Program is a 5-year SEPA (Science Education Partnership Award), which provides opportunities to connect high school and college/grad students remotely (via Zoom, Slack, Email) with researchers and mentors to teach them essential research skills and also offer mentorship for careers in science and health care fields.

The Circle Grant program provides students with the opportunity to explore a scientific topic of interest to learn various components of scientific research, including:

Data collection
Lab meetings
Reporting progress to your team
Journal club (reading and understanding scientific literature)
Collaborating with distance PIs and local mentors
Building your resume
Presenting your research findings at a scientific symposium

What are the requirements for the CIRCLE Grant?

Summer-long project commitment (April to August) with a group and individual presentation at the end of the program
Badge (training) completion as required by your project PI
Pre-Health Career Corps membership, sign up link: https://formstack.io/46483
CV/Resume submission for review and feedback
Proactive participation and attendance in all scheduled lab meetings (via Zoom); you must notify us and your PI of absences ahead of time
Survey and Student Focus Group attendance at the end of project year
Participation in supplemental workshops offered throughout the project year

Is there a cost associated with the program?

Participation in the CIRCLE GRANT Program is 100% free. There is no cost associated with the program for the student. We want to provide high school students with the opportunity to engage in research, regardless of their financial situation. We believe that every student should have the chance to explore their passions and develop their research skills. Therefore, we are committed to ensuring that this program remains free for all participants. We want to make sure that the financial barrier does not prevent any interested student from joining us in this unique and valuable learning opportunity.

Can students participate in the program if they have other commitments or obligations during the summer?

Students are expected to communicate with their principal investigator and research coordinator if they anticipate any scheduling conflicts that might impact their ability to complete the program requirements. While we encourage students to make this program a priority, we understand that life can get busy, and will work with students to make accommodations whenever possible. However, it's important to note that not meeting the program's minimum requirements may impact a student's ability to receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program.

What will the expected time commitment be for students participating in this program?

The CIRCLE GRANT Research program is a summer-long program with a duration from late April/early May till the first week of August. The time commitment for the program will vary depending on the project that the student is selected for. Students will be meeting with their assigned principal investigator on either a weekly or biweekly basis over zoom. These meetings will be used to discuss the progress of their research project and any challenges they may be facing. We understand that students may have other obligations during the summer, such as internships or vacations, and we will work with them to create a schedule that works for both the student and the principal investigator. However, we do ask that students commit to attending all scheduled meetings and complete their research project by the end of the program.

How will the program prepare students for future research opportunities or careers in science and healthcare?

The goal of this program is to act as an introduction to research and to help students decide if this is what they are interested in pursuing career-wise. Students will have the opportunity to work on research projects with guidance from experienced researchers and will learn the basic skills of research, including data collection and analysis, critical thinking, and scientific writing. In addition, the program will provide workshops and resources to help students prepare for future research opportunities or careers in science and healthcare.

What kind of research projects will the students be working on?

The CIRCLE GRANT distance research program offers a variety of research projects that high school students can engage in over the summer. Projects range from Zebrafish Modeling and Air Quality dealing with CO2 and Particulate Matter, to Bioinformatics & Metagenomics, Physician Workforce Shortage, and Community Health research. Students will meet with the program's Principal Investigator at the beginning of the program to formulate a research question or hypothesis that they will work on and research throughout the summer. This will provide students with the opportunity to engage in meaningful research projects and gain valuable experience in their selected fields. Through this process, students will develop critical thinking skills and creativity as they explore their passions and contribute to important scientific research.

What kind of support will be provided to students who may be struggling with their research projects??

Students will be placed in teams where they can collaborate and support each other through the research process. Our principal investigator and research coordinator will be available to help the students with any technical questions or issues that may arise. Additionally, we will provide access to online resources such as research databases, scientific journals, and other educational materials to help students better understand and conduct their research if necessary. Our program is designed to create an inclusive and supportive environment where students can explore their passions and develop their research skills with the help of experienced mentors and a dedicated support team.

How will the program ensure that students are staying engaged and motivated throughout the summer?

In order to ensure that our students are staying engaged and motivated throughout the summer, we have a dedicated research coordinator who will be attending every lab meeting. They will be responsible for checking in with all the students individually to see if they need any assistance and to make sure that they are progressing well in the program. Additionally, we will also be providing opportunities for students to attend workshops and social events to help them stay connected and motivated throughout the program. We believe that by creating a supportive and engaging environment, we can help our students achieve their research goals and have a positive and rewarding experience.

Can students work on their research projects independently or do they need to work in teams?

The CIRCLE GRANT Research program is designed to foster collaboration among students and with the principal investigator. Whether or not students will be working in groups or independently will depend on the project they work on. However, all students will be in a group setting during virtual lab meetings, and we encourage students to communicate with one another and to collaborate to assist each other. Our program values the benefits of working in a team environment, which can include sharing ideas, offering feedback, and learning from each other's perspectives. We believe that students working together can achieve more than they could alone, and it provides a valuable experience for their future academic and professional endeavors.

Will students have access to any extracurricular activities or social events during the program?

As part of our efforts to support our students' holistic development, we are currently working on creating a series of workshops that will provide students with insights into what research is like at a higher academic level. In addition, we also plan to offer workshops on topics such as mindfulness and how to succeed in academics. While we will attempt to organize social events to allow students to get to know each other better and expand their network, the availability of such activities may vary depending on each project. However, we are committed to providing our students with as many opportunities as possible. Lastly, we offer Resume/CV editing to help students prepare for their future academic and professional endeavors.

What is the background of the program's Principal Investigator(s)?

Our Principal Investigators come from a variety of different backgrounds and experiences, but they all share a passion for research and a love for helping students. Many of our Principal Investigators have advanced degrees in their respective fields and have conducted groundbreaking research that has been published in prestigious scientific journals. They come from diverse backgrounds and locations across the nation, including Hawaii, New York, South Carolina, and Minnesota. Despite their different backgrounds, they are all committed to fostering the next generation of researchers and creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment for our students. When students are paired with a Principal Investigator, they can expect to receive guidance and support from a dedicated and experienced mentor who is committed to helping them succeed.

What kind of long-term impact can students expect from participating in the program??

Participating in the CIRCLE GRANT Research program can have a significant impact on the students who participate. By providing students with the opportunity to engage in meaningful research projects, our goal is to aim, inspire and empower the next generation of researchers. Our program not only teaches students about research but also helps them build self-confidence, resilience, and hopefully a love of for the research process as a whole. Furthermore, by fostering a love of research in students at a younger age, we can help them develop the critical thinking skills and creativity necessary to tackle obstacles they might face further in their academic careers. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to work with experienced principal investigators and gain valuable research skills, which will be useful throughout their academic and professional careers.

Will students receive any kind of certification or recognition for their participation in the program?

Yes, students who complete the distance research program will receive recognition for their participation. At the end of the program, students will receive a signed certificate from our program director Dr. Kelley Withy indicating that they have successfully completed the program. Additionally, students may receive other certifications depending on the project they work with, such as safety certifications if they are working with hazardous materials. Our program aims to provide students with tangible recognition for their hard work and dedication throughout the program.

Will students have access to any career counseling or guidance during the program?

We encourage our students to join the Pre-Health Career Corps as part of their participation in our research program, so they can take advantage of these additional resources and support. This is a free year-long program that provides advising and career counseling to students on request. The program also offers workshops and other opportunities throughout the year to help students explore their interests and develop their skills.