Deadline: January 27, 2023
Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) Graduate Research STEM Fellowship Program 2023-2024
The Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) Graduate Research STEM Fellowship Program provides fellowships of $6,000 in add-on support to graduate students to supplement and enhance basic research support. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a program of study in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) and have a specific faculty-mentored research project that has NASA or aerospace relevance. Allied Health Sciences majors are not eligible for this program.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the VSGC Graduate STEM Research Fellowship program is to encourage talented individuals to pursue careers in STEM and support NASA’s mission. Awardees will be required to certify through their academic department that basic research support of at least $6,000 in matching funds is also being provided before funds are released. These Fellowships are intended to enhance basic graduate support such as graduate research assistantships, graduate teaching assistantships, and non-federal scholarships and fellowships.
Graduate Research Fellowships require that students participate in an active faculty-mentored research experience that aligns with STEM (Science, Technology, Math and Engineering) and meets NASA’s mission. Awards are made annually and are renewable for one year for students making satisfactory academic and research progress. This is a competitive fellowship program and awards are based on merit recognizing high academic achievement and promise
GOALS:
• Promote graduate STEM-related research, while recognizing high academic achievement and promise
• Increasing participation of underrepresented minorities, females, and students with disabilities in aerospace-related careers
• Implementing the goals of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
ELIGIBILITY:
•U.S. citizen
•Graduation date no sooner than May, 2024
•Conducting research that supports NASA’s mission
•Grade point average of at least 3.0
•Must be receiving matching funds of at least $6,000 from applicant’s academic institution
•Enrolled as a full-time graduate student at one of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium member institutions:
William & Mary
Hampton University
Old Dominion University
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Statement of academic goals – a brief statement written by the applicant relating to the reasons for his/her desire to enter a profession in a STEM field.
Resume’ – submit a short summary of your career and qualifications, list any relevant education information and significant accomplishments (uploaded as an attachment)
Research Proposal aligned with NASA’s mission – VSGC’s graduate STEM Research Scholarship Program encourages talented graduate majors to pursue aerospace-related fields and do research with a strong alignment with NASA’s four Mission Directorates.
Applicants should submit a proposal for research that is 2-3 pages (not including references) and clearly describes the research objective and methodology. A statement written by the student in consultation with the faculty advisor should describe the key elements of the proposed research and plan of study. All research projects must be mentored by a faculty member and this mentor will be required to submit a letter of reference for the project. Applicants will be asked to specifically identify how their research relates to NASA’s Mission Directorates.
