The Biological Resources Discipline (BRD), Cooperative Research Unit (CRU), of the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) is soliciting applications from qualified Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to offer a grant opportunity to university campuses to introduce a culturally diverse group of students, primarily

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undergraduates, to the fields of freshwater fisheries and aquatic sciences and train them for careers in the natural resource profession.

The overall goal of this program is to enhance the cultural diversity of the natural resource workforce by expanding the availability of training opportunities at MSIs.

Applicants should develop proposals to address the following program objectives:



? Increase the pool of geographically mobile, talented students recruited into the fisheries science curriculum at Minority Serving Institutions;

? Provide students with practical work experience in fisheries and aquatic sciences within the framework of university programs;

? Increase participating student retention and graduation rates through enhanced faculty mentoring and tutoring;

? Provide professional development opportunities for students via support of attendance at professional meetings and activities;

? Facilitate linkages with state and federal agencies to provide agency internships and work experience in fisheries and related sciences;

? Increase pool of students graduating with BS degrees with an interest in furthering their education through graduate education programs in fisheries and natural resource sciences;

? Increase numbers and visibility of graduating students with employment interests in fisheries and natural resources.