The Science Research Mentoring Consortium (SRMC), run by the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), is the most expansive initiative in New York City that provides research experiences for high-school students. Across 28 city programs SRMC places up to 600 students per year into year-long lab or field research experiences, culminating in a poster session in AMNH’s Milstein Hall of Ocean Life where hundreds of students present their research. Funds from this grant provide core operating support for the administration and amplification of the SRMC, providing quality research experiences to an estimated 1500 New York City high school students over the three-year grant period. 

This grant provides two years of support to build on the Independent Media Initiative’s successful launch of the Sloan Science Online program. Funded initiatives include the annual Sloan Science Prizes for YouTube – a $100,000 prize for nonfiction and $50,000 for fiction – which are selected by a jury of creators and scientists. The grant also provides incubation and support for one emerging YouTube channel each year and an annual Sloan-sponsored panel exploring the intersection of science and media at IMI Fest. Independent Media Initiative (IMI) is an Austin-based non-profit devoted to creating a new public media ecosystem that focuses on supporting high quality YouTube creators.