The Whitaker Institute Supports FGCU STEM Majors Through:
- The Symposium of Undergraduate Research and Internships (SURI)
- Scholarships and Mini-grants to support research
- Internships and jobs through Eagle Career Link
- Volunteer or Service Learning and short term Internship opportunities with our events
The Institute is also affiliated with the student organization for FGCU Cancer Research Program (RSO available for students interested in Cancer Research).
Undergraduate Research
The Whitaker Institute facilitates student research by providing assistance through
summer research scholarships and grants, research proposal development, selection
of faculty supervisors, and the IRB approval process. In addition, the Institute assists
students and their supervisors in the publication and dissemination of the research
results. We provide leadership in the development of undergraduate research that can
be duplicated within the university and other post secondary institutions.
For more information and research opportunities not associated with the Whitaker Institute, visit the Office of Scholarly Innovation and Student Research
For more information, contact your research mentor, department chair, or the Whitaker Institute at WhitakerInstitute@fgcu.edu.
The 2025 Symposium of Undergraduate Research and Internships (SURI) will be held on Friday, December 5th from 3:00PM-5:30PM. Outdoor posters will be on display on the lawn and breezeway of the academic buildings. Thank you for joining us in celebrating the research accomplishments of our students. Participants will have the opportunity to speak with presenters about their research during the in-person poster session.
Register for SURI 2025 SURI PROGRAM
Funding for this program was provided through the Whitaker Institute for STEM Education, Department of Biological Sciences, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Water School, and Student Experiential Learning Fund. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not constitute an endorsement on behalf of FGCU.
Whitaker Institute Mini-Grant Application
Award Information
The Whitaker Institute supports student and faculty research, outreach, and travel
through mini-grant awards of up to $1,000. Awards are granted on a rolling basis and
are decided upon at the monthly meeting of the Whitaker Institute Leadership Team.
Meetings dates are listed below. Applications received by the end of business day
before the monthly meeting date will be considered and notifications made within a
week of the meeting.
Upcoming Whitaker Institute Leadership Team Meeting Dates:
December 15
January 15
February 17
March 23
April 15
If you are awarded a grant, you must agree to spend your funds within one month of
needed date, and submit a report outlining your use of funds within one month of needed
date. Failure to submit a report or encumber funds by these dates may result in loss
of award or inability to apply for future awards.
Application Information
- Applicants must be either a faculty or student at FGCU
- Student applicants must be enrolled at time of activity
- Funds will not be awarded for salary stipends
- Funds may not be awarded for student travel associated with an FGCU course (example, we cannot fund study abroad)
The Whitaker Institute supports the development and reporting of a variety of curriculum and teaching innovations at all levels of STEM education. The Institute also fosters and supports research and evaluation of teaching innovations and practices. Funding for faculty and graduate activities is provided where the research meets the Institute's goals. Funding, while limited, is meant to encourage pilot studies that may lead to larger externally funded projects. Faculty are encouraged to pursue other funding sources, including matching funds and in-kind support. This not only broadens the funding base, enabling larger or more varied projects, but also encourages and strengthens the network of science, mathematics and technology educators at all levels. Whitaker Institute Undergraduate Research Program funds are available for students in any major and with science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics as a focus as well as teaching and learning in these areas.
Professional travel for faculty and students is supported through the Whitaker Institute for activities that support the Whitaker Institute goals. Faculty travel should include presentations in STEM research or STEM education at meetings or conferences. Student travel funds are provided for presenting STEM research or attending STEM education meetings and conferences. Students are encouraged to present individual research posters. Poster/presentation abstracts are required to be submitted at the time of application for Mini-Grants.
The Whitaker Institute supports the development and implementation of PK-12 initiatives. Funding may be sought for projects that target either PK-12 teachers or students. Projects for students must integrate STEM-topics, be hands-on in nature and must be shown to align with PK-12 education standards. Initiatives geared toward teachers might involve course development, labs and activities, technology training and other similar endeavors. Initiatives geared toward students might involve outreach, workshops or camps. If funded, projects should in some way highlight Whitaker Institute Funding.
STEM Scholarships
During the summer of 2025, we had 16 scholarships for undergraduate and graduate STEM majors.
All applicants must also complete the 2025-26 FGCU Foundation Scholarship Application in order to receive the scholarship. This is not the same as FAFSA. If you have not completed the 2025-26 FGCU Foundation Scholarship application, you will be notified via email with instructions on how to complete the application.
View the guidelines for Faculty Mentor Letter of Support for summer research scholarships.
$10,000 summer scholarship to conduct research with an FGCU faculty advisor in a life science area. The award is split as $5,000 as a summer scholarship to the undergraduate student and $5,000 for research supplies and travel while the student is conducting research at FGCU.
- Requirements: Applicant must be an undergraduate student with a minimum 3.0 GPA, have an expected graduation date of May 2027 or later, conduct research related to the life sciences, and have a letter of support provided by their faculty research advisor.
Please email electronic letters to the Whitaker Institute at WhitakerInstitute@fgcu.edu. In the email indicate the student for whom you are writing the letter and that this
is for the Brodie Summer Research Scholarships.
Please direct any questions to Dr. Heather Skaza-Acosta at hskaza-acosta@fgcu.edu.
Applications for priority consideration are due January 26, 2026! Faculty support letters due January 26, 2026.
$5,000 summer scholarship to conduct research with an FGCU faculty advisor. Seven
of these are specifically for student conducting environmental research while six
will be for any area of STEM research.
- Requirements: Applicant must be an upperclassmen or master's student pursuing any STEM major with a minimum 3.0 GPA, have an expected graduate date of May 2027 or later, demonstrate a serious commitment to protecting the environment, and have a letter of support provided by their faculty research advisor.
Please email electronic letters to the Whitaker Institute at WhitakerInstitute@fgcu.edu. In the email indicate the student for whom you are writing the letter and that this
is for the Blair Summer Research Scholarships.
Please direct any questions to Dr. Heather Skaza-Acosta at hskaza-acosta@fgcu.edu.
Applications for priority consideration are due January 26, 2026! Faculty support letters due January 26, 2026.
Join Our Team
We offer a variety of short-term opportunities to work in STEM Outreach through our
programs.
Please contact the Whitaker Institute to find out what internships are available through
our office.
For more opportunities contact:
Internship & Co-operative Programs
Internships in STEM areas can be accessed through Eagle Career Link
Service learning opportunities can be accessed through Eagle Service Network
Internships and Cooperative Programs
Office: McTarnaghan Hall - 2nd Floor
Email: icp@fgcu.edu
Phone number: (239) 745-4423
