The Universities Space Research Association, in collaboration with the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center's Earth Sciences Directorate, is offering a limited number of graduate student research opportunities for the Summer of 1996. The Program is scheduled for June 6 to August 14, 1996. Now in its sixth year, the program is designed to spur interest in interdisciplinary studies within the Earth system sciences, and will enable selected students to pursue specially-tailored research projects in conjunction with Goddard scientific mentors.

Students will work at GSFC conducting an intensive research project for the majority of the Program period. Project topics will be developed and implemented in conjunction with NASA scientist mentors within the three Earth Science laboratories at Goddard: The Laboratory for Atmospheres, The Laboratory for Hydrospheric Processes, and The Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics.

Five days (June 10-14, 1996) of the Program will be dedicated to an intensive public lecture series entitled "Global Change and The Americas." The series is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the science and techniques of remote sensing and satellite observations. Well-known experts from Goddard and the community will present lectures on the remote sensing, atmospheric, oceanographic, biological and societal impact aspects of Global Change. One day will be devoted to each of these major topics. The lecture series is an annual event sponsored by USRA and NASA/GSFC. It is open to the general public; however, off-site attendees must register prior to June 3 in order to guarantee admittance to the Goddard Space Flight Center. There is no registration fee.

The program is open to students enrolled in or accepted to a U.S. accredited graduate program in the Earth, physical or biological sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering. Students will be selected on the basis of academic record, demonstrated motivation and qualification to pursue multidiscipli-nary research in the Earth sciences, clarity and relevance of stated research interests to NASA programs, and letters of recommendation. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply. Students must commit for the full-ten week period (June 6 - August 14, 1996). Because of NASA/GSFC security regulations, citizens of certain proscribed nations may be ineligible.

Students selected for the Program will receive a stipend of $8.50 per hour for the 10-week period. In addition, USRA will reimburse reasonable domestic travel expenses for participants needing to relocate to the Greenbelt, MD area. Students requiring accommodations will be housed at The University of Maryland at USRA's expense. Accommodations outside the university will not be provided.

Contact Ms. Paula Webber at the address below to receive a formal application. Along with the application, an updated resume, at least two letters of reference, and undergraduate/graduate transcripts must be received by February 12, 1996. Selectees will be announced by March 22, 1996.