LEAP Scholars Program
Research Scholarships for Transfer Students
The LEAP Scholars program provides transfer students the opportunity to conduct research with scientists at ASU. As a transfer student enrolled in the LEAP Scholars program, you will learn how to maximize your scientific research experience and funding, which is intended to alleviate the need to work while going to school.
What is the LEAP Scholars program?
LEAP is a four-semester-long program for incoming, community college transfer students. LEAP scholars will learn about undergraduate research, conduct research in an ASU faculty member’s lab, mentor incoming LEAP scholars, and present research to the scientific community.
Do LEAP students receive a scholarship?
Yes. By participating in the program, LEAP scholars receive a $3,000 scholarship per semester for a maximum of four semesters.
Why should I do scientific research?
Scientific research allows you to work toward solving real-world research problems and work directly with ASU scientists who are experts in their fields.
You will learn how to think like a scientist. Becoming proficient in this skill is highly recommended if you are interested in entering graduate or professional school, including medical, dental or veterinary school. Participating in research has shown to improve student GPAs.
Who is eligible to apply for the LEAP program?
To apply, you must:
- Be transferring to ASU from a community college
- Have completed at least one semester of 12 credits hours or more at community college while maintaining a 3.3 GPA
- Have completed at least 30 credit hours at community college
- Be admitted to ASU as a major in School of Life Sciences; School of Molecular Sciences; School of Earth and Space Exploration; or the Department of Physics
- Enroll in coursework full-time (12 credit hours or more) during the fall 2021, spring 2022, fall 2022 and spring 2023 semesters
- Not work at an outside job more than 12 hours per week during the fall 2021, spring 2022, fall 2022 and spring 2023 semesters
- Have a cumulative community college GPA of 3.3+
- Demonstrate financial need
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, national or refugee
What do I need to complete the application?
- We will not be accepting new applications for this program in 2022.
- Career statement describing how you believe the program will benefit your future career (500-word maximum)
- An unofficial transcript
- FASFA must be filed
- Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a college instructor)
When should I apply?
- We will not be accepting new applications for this program in 2022.
How do I apply?
Fill out the LEAP Scholar application form
When do I find out if I’ve been admitted to the program?
Priority applicants will be notified of their admissions status in August.
Who do I contact if have questions?
Emma Goodwin
LEAP Scholars Program Manager
LEAP stands for Learning, Entering, Advising and Producing research. These are the four areas of research you will learn about while enrolled as a scholar in the program.
See the LEAP Program by semester below.
LEAP scholars will enroll in a 3-unit course focused on the process of research, the culture of scientific research and the research opportunities available at ASU. We will explore potential scientific research interests by touring ASU labs and engaging with scientists. By the end of the semester, you will identify which research lab you would like to work in.
You will join an ASU lab and enroll in 3 credits of scientific research. Also, you will enroll in a 1 unit course where ASU faculty mentors will help scholars navigate their research experiences, define a research project and communicate about your research project with peers.
You will enroll in 3 credit hours of scientific research. Scholars will also enroll in a 1 credit course where you will serve as a mentor for the entering cohort of LEAP scholars and lead mini-lab internships for new scholars interested in your research. You will continue to develop your research project and practice communicating your work to the scientific community.
You will continue to conduct scientific research and enroll in 3 credit hours for your work. Additionally, you will enroll in a 1 credit course where you will write a thesis, prepare and present a scientific poster, and prepare and present a formal talk.
This project is funded by a S-STEM grant from the National Science Foundation. PI Sara Brownell, Co-PI Anna Zaniewski and Co-PI Hilairy Hartnett