Atlanta Botanical Garden: NSF Rare Plant RaMP Program

The Rare Plant RaMP (Research & Mentoring for Post-Baccalaureates in Biological Sciences) program is a one-year research experience intended for individuals who have completed a baccalaureate degree, but who were not able to participate intensively in research. Those interested in gaining research and professional development experience in botany, plant science, or conservation are encouraged to apply.

This program encourages applications from individuals from demographics historically excluded from STEM, first generation scholars, and those from under-resourced institutions.

This specific Rare Plant RaMP program will be dispersed across four separate botanic gardens in the continental United States. Mentees in this geographically distributed, research-focused program will have direct guidance from a mentor and co-mentors as they establish their research in the area of rare plant science and conservation. This RaMP will allow mentees to perform and lead both independent and collaborative research, and strengthen their ability to communicate science to other researchers, to policymakers, and to the general public.

Next Program Dates: August 2024 - July 2025
Application Deadline: Mar 15, 2024 

• Research Experience: Actively engage in a year-long intensive research program under the guidance of a mentor and co-mentors around the theme of rare plant research.
• Network-wide meetings: Every other week, mentees and their peers will lead discussion sessions focusing on reading primary literature, research skills and ethics, science communication, professional development, and career trajectories.
• Exchange visits and workshops: Mentees will visit other academic, government, or industry labs to further their professional goals and attend relevant workshops.
• Annual program symposium: Yearly, the Rare Plant RaMP Network will meet at one of the participating gardens to engage in a week-long scientific conference-style symposium. Mentees will participate in field work, workshops, panel discussions, and will present their research to their peers and mentors.
• Center for Plant Conservation (CPC) conference: All mentees and their mentors will attend the annual CPC Conference. Mentees will present their research, while also networking with other experts in their fields of interest.
• Science Communication: Mentees will lead a science communication project around a topic of their choice.
• Yearly stipend: $40,000 salary with benefits, and specific benefits will vary at each botanic garden. A $1,000 moving stipend will be also provided at the start of the position to assist with relocation expenses. In addition, participants will access a $10,000 research stipend to complete their research project. All travel expenses for conferences, symposia, workshops, and exchange visits will be covered by the program.
  

• Individuals who are from groups historically excluded from STEM, first-generation college students, and students from low-income households are highly encouraged to apply.
• Individuals cannot be currently enrolled or accepted into a graduate program or beyond.
• Participants must have completed a baccalaureate college degree before participating in the program. Applicants must also apply to the program within four years of completing a bachelor's degree, with extensions allowed for family, medical leave, or military service.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. 

• Complete the online ETAP application, including two reference letters, a recent resume or CV, and a personal statement. In your resume or CV, highlight any previous research and work experience. The personal statement should describe your career goals related to plant conservation and research interests in greater detail, how this program will influence your professional development in research, and indicate your preference regarding botanic gardens, mentors, or specific projects. This is the best way to show us what you have accomplished that has been interesting to you, and how that may translate into this research experience.
  
  Program contact: Melissa Natividade, mnatividade@atlantabg.org