FGCU Gulf Scholars

FGCU’s Gulf Scholars will thrive as leaders in positive change in Southwest Florida through critical examination of self and community. With an interdisciplinary approach and an emphasis on community outreach and cooperation through a mix of coursework, internship opportunities and research projects, undergraduates will learn to identify and address the big issues faced by the Gulf Region.

The Gulf Scholars Program is funded by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.

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Apply to become a member of our Gulf Scholar Cohort!

The cohort is the heart of FGCU's Gulf Scholars Program. Students accepted into the cohort will grow as leaders, drawing from the knowledge and experiences they will gain through their journey in the program. They will draw on interdisciplinary and methodologically varied approaches to solve the problems our community faces.

Solving the Gulf Region's big problems will require expertise from multiple disciplines. Students across all colleges and departments are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate has at least 4 semesters left in their course of study.

As a member of the cohort, you will:

Join a small group of like-minded students working together to solve the region's big problems.
Participate in projects with FGCU faculty and receive 1-on-1 mentorship.
Engage with community partners in your interest area.
Complete coursework and an internship leading up to a community-oriented Gulf Action Project.

Gulf Scholars receive:

$1,500 scholarship in year 1.
Paid internship in year 2.
Up to $2,000 to fund a Gulf Action Project in year 2.
Build your resume with on-and-off campus experiences, recognized credentials and long-lasting connections.

Apply to be part of the 2026-27 cohort!

Applications are open throughout the Fall semester and close on January 19th, 2026. Those accepted will be notified by February 20th, prior to Fall registration to ensure they can plan their class schedule accordingly.

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Are you a Gulf Scholar?

If you care about our Gulf community and the big problems it's facing, you may be a Gulf Scholar.

Gulf Scholars can be majors in any discipline.
Gulf Scholars want to collaborate with other students and faculty.
Gulf Scholars want to work with community partners to solve problems.

Choose how you engage with the program

The Gulf Scholars Program at FGCU has opportunities for everyone. Students can choose the extent of their engagement through our different pathways.

Gulf Scholars Cohort
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At the heart of the program is the GS Cohort. Students in the cohort will complete all core Gulf Scholars courses, take part in a paid internship with a community partner and develop a Gulf Action Project.

Members of the cohort will also take part in events both on and off campus, attend Gulf Scholars specific functions and present their work at regional and national conferences.

Some requirements for the cohort include:
- Students will complete 4 core courses: Gulf Immersion and Gulf Service, which are specialized sections of University Colloquium and Foundations of Civic Engagement with the GSP attribute, Gulf Research and Gulf Action.
- Students should have 4 or more semesters remaining in their program.
- Students accepted into the cohort will attend the Gulf Scholars Excel Program prior to the start of the Fall Semester.
- Students will attend Gulf Scholars events hosted by FGCU and other universities in the program.
Learn more about the Gulf Scholars Cohort under the Apply section of our website.
Gulf Scholars Community
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This pathway is meant for students that want to interact and build relationships with the FGCU and larger Southwest Florida communities. It will include the completion of coursework alongside engagement in one of several co-curricular activities.

Some of these include:
- Complete an internship with a community partner.
- Develop an interdisciplinary research project aimed at tackling issues faced by our local community.
- Join a FGCU faculty member as a student assistant for their own existing or new research projects.
Members of this pathway will also be expected to interact with the FGCU Gulf Scholars community by attending events such as guest speaker lectures, field trips, visits to community partners, and more.

More information on this pathway will be available soon.
Gulf Scholars Coursework
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The Gulf Scholars Program at FGCU has partnered with faculty across all colleges to develop courses that match our vision for community-conscious and interdisciplinary students. These courses are denoted by the GSP attribute.

Students in this pathway can complete the GSP credits required within their own field of study, but are invited and encouraged to explore course options in other disciplines.

A micro-credential is in development to recognize students that complete a certain number of Gulf Scholars attributed courses. More information on this pathway, such as the number of GSP credits required, will be available soon.

Faculty can engage in the Gulf Scholars Program in a variety of ways:

Develop a course with the GSP attribute.
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Courses with the GSP attribute should involve a gulf related issue or question and either have the SRVC attribute, engage students in disciplinary research, or have a built-in community partnership component.

If you believe one of your courses meets, or could be adapted to meet, these criteria or would like to develop a new course around them you can:
- Receive $500 in professional development funds to transform or modify an existing course for the GSP attribute.
- Receive $1,000 in professional development to create a new course with the GSP attribute.
Engage a research assistant or mentor a student on their Gulf-related research project.
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Lead Gulf Discovery professionalization workshops and seminars
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Participate in Gulf Scholars sponsored events.
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If you're interested, or have any questions, please contact one of our co-directors: Dr. Heather Skaza Acosta (hskaza-acosta@fgcu.edu) or Dr. Melodie Eichbauer (meichbauer@fgcu.edu).

We believe that close cooperation between the educational, economic, and social leaders in our community is the key to the preservation and prosperity of the Gulf Region.

As a Gulf Scholars community partner you can help contribute towards this goal by:

Share your expertise, insight and experience with engaged and highly motivated students.
Develop partnerships through internships, research projects and other types of engagement with the cohort and individual Gulf Scholars.
Help form the next generation of local leaders in sustainable development.
Contribute in your own unique way! If you have any other ideas or plans in mind that you feel align with our goals and values, don't hesitate to bring them up and discuss them with us.

If you're interested in partnering with FGCU's Gulf Scholars please contact one of our co-directors: Dr. Heather Skaza Acosta (hskaza-acosta@fgcu.edu) or Dr. Melodie Eichbauer (meichbauer@fgcu.edu).

name	day	month	year	duration	color	location	description
Gulf Scholars Excel Program	13	08	2025	3	3	Main Campus	You will join your cohort for a three-day Gulf Scholars Excel program prior to the start of the academic year. The program will introduce you to your fellow Scholars, the program's leading faculty and staff, as well as on and off-campus resources. As a part of the Excel program, you will be a part of early move-in. We will also head out on a few off-campus field trips.
Last day to apply for the 2026-27 cohort	19	01	2026	1	2
Acceptance notifications sent out	20	02	9226	1	2		Those accepted for the 2026-27 cohort will be notified via email by this date.