The Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) is a comprehensive suite of outreach, recruitment, retention and placement strategies designed to help students fulfill their potential in college, sustain their interest in science, technology, engineering, and math, and develop an interest in graduate study. Originally begun at the University of Alaska Anchorage for engineering students only, ANSEP has greatly increased retention rates (73% over the life of the project vs. the national average retention rate for Native Americans in engineering programs of 27%) .

   Fall semester 2002, the ANSEP program was extended to UAF, again only for engineering students. The model appeared to be working remarkably well for retention of Alaska Native undergrads in sciences, and EPSCoR's NIH funded sister program, AK BRIN/INBRE joined with the program spring semester 2003 to create ANBios. These supplements allowed the scholarships and internships to be extended to students interested in biomedical research, medical or other professional degrees, or bioinformatics .

   The several elements of the program combine to produce remarkable results. Admission to the program requires a semester of

1) weekly attendance at American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) meetings,

2) at least a 3.0 in all core classes, and

3) completed application, personal statement, resume, and recommendation letters.

Continuation of affiliation with the program (and $2500/semester scholarship) is evaluated each semester and is based on

1) attendance at ANSEP and AISES weekly meetings,

2) participation in supplemental instruction and peer study groups (payment of $500/semester if a group study leader),

3) active in at one student professional organization society, and

4) complete a minumum of 12 credits toward degree requirements each semester with a grade of C or higher in all courses (bonus of $250/semester if GPA of 3.0 or better in core classes).

   During the summer, program participants are placed in a professional internship of at least 8 weeks duration, with weekly evaluations by supervisors and final evaluation by student and supervisor.

  ANSEP Website