STAR Program 2026

STAR (STEM Transformation and Advancing Retention) is a cross-institutional peer mentoring and workforce development experience that leverages cohort building and shared resources to boost the recruitment, retention, and success of students in the Geosciences and related disciplines.

STARs collaborate in undergraduate-graduate teams to share strategies for persistence, resilience and academic success, and explore career pathways and professional opportunities. Sloan STARs meet for 2-4 hours per week from June 1st to July 24th, 2026, and receive a $3,000 stipend.

STARs are: 

• Based on the Rutgers Newark or New Brunswick campus
• Undergraduate or graduate students who will continue at either institution in Fall 2026
• Enrolled in degree programs in the Geosciences and related disciplines, including Environmental Science, Ecology & Evolution, Ocean Science, Earth & Planetary Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, Microbiology, Geography and more
• Committed to participating for 2-4 hours per week over an 8-week period

We encourage applications from students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in STEM.