** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE RURAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM AIMS TO BENEFIT BOTH RURAL COMMUNITIES AND STUDENTS. STUDENTS, KNOWNS AS RURAL SCHOLARS, CONDUCT RESEARCH ON THE LEADING ISSUES AND GRAND CHALLENGES FACING RURAL COMMUNITIES IN OKLAHOMA AND BEYOND, RECEIVING FIRSTHAND RESEARCH AND SERVICE EXPERIENCE. FOR 10 WEEKS IN THE SUMMER, PAIRS OF RURAL SCHOLARS WILL LIVE IN THE RURAL COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE BOOTS-ON-THE-GROUND EXPERIENCE FOR ENACTING POSITIVE CHANGE. THEY WILL WORK WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS TO CARRY OUT RESEARCH PROJECTS AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT, AND SOLUTIONS FOR COMMUNITY ISSUES. THESE RESEARCH PROJECTS SPAN BOTH THE NATURAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, OFFERING A TRULY INTERDISCIPLINARY EXPERIENCE. TO PREPARE FOR THEIR 10-WEEK EXPERIENCE AND RESEARCH PROJECTS,RURAL SCHOLARS ARE TRAINED IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH APPROACHES AND GATHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THEIR ASSIGNED COMMUNITY.RURAL SCHOLARS ARE MENTORED BY RESEARCHERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND LOCAL EXTENSION EDUCATORS DURING THEIR EXPERIENCE. AFTER THEIR 10-WEEK EXPERIENCE, RURAL SCHOLARS PRESENT THEIR RESEARCH FINDINGS AT THE ANNUAL RURAL RENEWAL SYMPOSIUM. RURAL SCHOLARS ARE RECRUITED FROM INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE STATE WITH A FOCUS ON UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTIONS WITH LIMITED RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES.