ACCESS STEP Applications Open

ACCESS Student Training and Engagement (STEP) Program

Applications for the 2025 ACCESS Student and Engagement Program (STEP) are now open! Undergraduates or early-career grad students interested in pursuing a career in cyberinfrastructure are encouraged to apply by February 15, 2025. Visit the ACCESS STEP website for more information about the program.

Program Description | Important Dates | Eligibility Criteria | Program Requirements | Acceptance | Other Important Information

New! Apply to be an ACCESS STEP Mentor: https://forms.gle/kVJfC86EL4vTVweQ8

Program Description

STEP-1: 2-week introductory experience

ACCESS STEP-1 is a dynamic two-week experience in Miami, FL in May! The program covers travel, and accommodations, and provides a stipend.

STEP-2: Full-time for the summer

ACCESS STEP-2 follows STEP-1 and is a full-time summer program* (in-person + virtual). STEP-2 students participate in web programming, high performance computing, cybersecurity, networking, and implementations of AI projects. The program covers travel and accommodations for in-person events and provides a stipend for participating. Additionally, it takes you to a national conference.

STEP-3: Part-time during the school year

ACCESS STEP-3 follows STEP-2. STEP-3 students continue learning (virtually) with their team on projects on a part-time basis during the academic year. Participants receive a stipend and will be taken to the annual SC conference.

STEP Program Application

Program Details

Important Dates

• Online application: Due February 15, 2025
• Program dates:
  • STEP-1: May/June 2025 (on Florida International University main campus); dates are May 12 – May 23, 2025 
  • STEP-2: June/July 2025 (on the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign campus), July/August 2024 (remote + conference attendance); dates June 9 – August 1, 2025
  • STEP-3: Starting between August 15 – September 1, 2025, ending between May 15 – May 30, 2026

Eligibility Criteria

All students who apply to STEP must be:

• At least 18 years of age by the start date of the program
• Students attending US-based institutions
• Enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree or masters/PhD*
• In good academic standing at their college or university
• Available to participate in the full program for which the student is applying

*For international students, STEP-1, 2, or 3 may be considered curricular practical training (CPT) by your home institution. It is your responsibility to comply with your home institution’s policies and immigration regulations pertaining to your legal status. Please work with your home institution on determining eligibility and any required paperwork.

Additional criteria/information

• Some software development experience with Python is desired as well as some UNIX/Linux.
• Priority is given to populations historically underrepresented in STEM. Those populations can include women and those from minority-serving institutions (MSIs)—such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and schools with low levels of research activity, including community colleges.

Program Requirements

• All STEP participants should participate in the full-length program for which they were accepted
• STEP-2 participants will participate in program activities up to 40 hours a week (i.e. working with team members on projects, attending program-wide activities, professional development seminars/events, and other engagements)
• STEP-3 participants will participate in program activities ~10 hours a week (i.e. working with team members on projects, attending program-wide activities, professional development seminars, and other engagements)
• STEP-2 and STEP-3 participants will write a report about their program/project activities
• STEP-2 and STEP-3 participants will give an oral presentation about their program/project activities during the STEP experience
• STEP participants may be asked to assist in further recruitment efforts at their respective schools
• The STEP Coordinator will provide and arrange on-campus housing when required

*For international students, your home institution can have additional requirements for participation. These requirements can depend on your home institution’s policies and immigration regulations pertaining to your legal status. Please work with your home institution on determining any such requirements

Acceptance

• Offers of acceptance will go out by email on a periodic, rolling basis. After the acceptance review process is complete, the remaining applicants will be notified by email.
• Once accepted to the program, applicants need to complete the portion of the program they applied to.

Other Important Information

Institutions may consider this program to be Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for international students. It is your responsibility to comply with your home institution’s policies and immigration regulations pertaining to your legal status. Please work with your home institution to determine eligibility and complete and required paperwork. Additionally, per United States government regulations, payments to international participants may have a 30% income tax deduction applied. Each individual is responsible for filing an income tax return with the US government. If you have questions about taxes or tax filing, please consult a tax accountant/expert. 

Check the Midwest RCD website for other upcoming opportunities.