Fall:

• Attend an info session
• Submit your application
• Applicant decisions made and notifications sent

Spring:

• Gulf Scholars programming begins
• Gulf Impact Projects determined

Summer and beyond:

• Complete Gulf Impact Projects
• Attend field trips, workshops, and trainings
• Present your project at the Summer Showcase
• Continue work on projects, volunteering, and other activities

We will host several information sessions throughout the semester at which undergraduate students can learn about the program, how to apply, and ask questions. 

If you are interested in applying to the program, we strongly encourage you to attend an info session.

Fall 2024 info sessions:

A main component of the LSU Gulf Scholars Program are the summer Gulf Impact Projects.

Up to 25 students will be funded for 10-week faculty-mentored research projects spanning the sciences, humanities, arts, and engineering.

Students accepted into the program get to rank available faculty projects they are interested in working on. We will then match students to a project based on those rankings and faculty feedback. 

If you have your own ideas for a project, reach out to us directly and/or be sure to include that in your application!

Students get paid $15 per hour for work on their project!

• Scholars will first be accepted into the program in the fall, and matched with a faculty-mentored Gulf Impact Project the following spring.
• The research department for the Gulf Impact Project you apply to does not have to be the same department that your major is in.
• While some travel may be required for your specific project, you otherwise must be present in Baton Rouge for the summer.

To wrap up the summer Gulf Impact Projects, scholars present their work at the Gulf Scholars Summer Showcase. This is a poster session event that celebrates the important work the scholars completed with their faculty mentors. 

The 2nd annual Summer Showcase was held on Thursday, August 8, 2024 in the Energy, Coast and Environment Building Rotunda from 12:30 - 2:00 pm. 

The inaugural Summer Showcase was held on Wednesday, August 9, 2024 at the LSU Center for River Studies from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. 

Karrie Cheng presenting her research poster at the 2nd annual Summer Showcase on August 8, 2024.

Students in the Gulf Scholars Program are encouraged to participate in courses that are aligned with the GSP, as their degree plan allows. The GSP staff maintain a listing of courses that have been identified as covering topics related or relevant to the learning outcomes of the NAS Gulf Research Program (see "About the Gulf Scholars Program" tab). 

See a current listing of courses that have been identified as Gulf-centric. This list will be reveiwed and updated regularly.

A new 1-credit hour lecture course, The Gulf South, is being developed as a core course for the LSU Gulf Scholars Program. It is planned to be available starting Spring 2025.

The goal of this course is to provide an interdisciplinary understanding of the global, national, and regional environmental issues of the Gulf South with a focus on communities and ecosystems. It will provide an introduction to conducting inquiry into social, scientific, and ethical issues associated with the Gulf. 

A Gulf Scholar graduation distinction has been approved by the LSU Admissions, Standards and Honors Committee. 

Completion of the requirements of the Gulf Scholars distinction represents significant committment and investment from participating students. Students gain unique knowledge and engagement with the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding communities. This university-level honor recognizes the students intellectual and academic achievements. 

Upon graduation from LSU, eligible students will be honored in a special ceremony and the distinction will be noted on their transcripts. 

The Gulf Scholar Distinction recognizes tudents who complete: 

• Application and selection as an LSU Gulf Scholar. Students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and good standing with the university throughout their entire duration as a Gulf Scholar. 
• Immersive program of research via a Gulf Impact Project. Must complete a minimum of 200 hours. 
• Attendance and participation in all program meetings, trainings and workshops. 
• Present their Gulf Impact Project at the LSU Gulf Scholars Summer Showcase and LSU Discover Day. 
• Attend one experiential learning excursion to the Gulf Coast with Gulf Scholars or a local non-profit group. 
• Complete one approved gulf-centric course (3 credit hours) with a B- or higher grade.
• Participate in a minimum of 2 recruitment and/or peer mentoring events. 
• Participate in the Gulf Scholars Program Virtual Fall Forum or Annual Conference.
• Compile a portfolio of work including their Gulf Impact Project abstract and poster/other form of presentation, along with a reflective essay.