Oklahoma State University and Comanche Nation College (CNC) received a $1,000,000 collaborative grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to increase the number of Native Americans who pursue graduate degrees in the biological sciences. Lead Investigators Kristen Baum (Department of Zoology, OSU) and Gene Pekah (CNC), along with co-investigators Donald French (Department of Zoology, OSU) and Consuelo Lopez (President, CNC), will use the grant to promote professional development activities and research experiences for students at CNC and OSU. The program will provide year-round financial support for students to actively participate in research with a faculty mentor. Student research projects will focus on topics in the area of ecology and environmental stress, such as the effects of biological and environmental stressors (e.g., chemicals, climatic extremes, landscape modifications, management strategies, etc.) on organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems. Students also will participate in activities designed to increase awareness of career options, promote interactions between students and professionals, assist students with the graduate school application process, and help students develop strategies for success. This project is funded by the NSF URM (Undergraduate Research and Mentoring in the Biological Sciences) program and will be implemented over the next five years.