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Graduate Student Research Fellowship + Submit Online Application Applications due Friday 02.26.2010 General Information Purpose: The Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) is designed to help meet the continuing needs of the aeronautics and space effort by increasing the number of highly trained scientists and engineers in aerospace, space science, space applications and space technology. The GSRP Program awards fellowships for graduate study leading to research-based masters or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering. Fellowship Awards: Fellowship money awarded by the SC Space Grant Consortium will be administered through the Financial Aid office at the scholar’s institution. A maximum of $10,000 will be awarded from the SC Space Grant Consortium, which must be matched 1:1 by the host institution, the total being applied toward a graduate fellowship. In an effort to make the fellowship prestigious, one with the potential to attract and hold the best and brightest students, a requirement is that the stipend amount, when prorated on an annual basis, range from $17,000 - $20,000. A signature from the official responsible for committing the institution is required for the application. Eligibility: All applicants must be either full-time graduate students enrolled in an accredited consortium member institution or an applicant for full time admission to a Masters or Doctorate program in an accredited consortium member institution. Applicants must be citizens of the U.S. An individual accepting this award may not concurrently receive other Federal fellowships or traineeships. Underrepresented minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are strongly urged to apply. Proposal Requirements Proposals for the GSRP must be written by the student. Continuing students are advised to enlist the aid of their faculty advisor for guidance, review, and commentary on the written material prior to submission. Students who have applied for admission to graduate school, but have not begun their first semester, must identify a faculty member who has agreed to be their faculty advisor and who can provide a written description of the proposed research and a budget. Description of Proposed Research and/or Plan of Study (3 pages max - as a PDF file) - Students must prepare a typed, detailed research proposal (not to exceed three single-spaced pages). This critical document must contain a research plan, study objectives, schedule, methodology, key elements, and milestones. Students should indicate the NASA facilities and/or resources to be used in support of the research and/or plan of study, if any. Abstract - Proposal abstracts should concisely detail the intended research and its relationship to the NASA mission. The abstract should not exceed 100 words Budget Information - The budget, not to exceed $20,000, must include the student stipend, not less than $17,000 on an annualized basis, plus an allowance, not to exceed $3,000.The allowance, if requested, may be used to: (1) defray tuition expenses, (2) purchase books and software, (3) provide per diem reimbursements for anticipated travel and living expenses for the student at a NASA facility, or (4) other expenses that relate to the student's proposed research. Requests for the allowance must be fully justified. The budget must be prorated when the student anticipates less than a 12 month program tenure. (Note: GSRP grant funds may not be used for the purchase of any equipment including computers.) Letter of Recommendation from Faculty Advisor (1 page max) Biographical Sketch of Faculty Advisor (2 pages max) - that includes professional and academic essentials, principal publications, and current and pending support. The student is required to submit a transcript of all university activities (graduate and undergraduate) along with a summary of activities including special training, previous research projects, awards, scholarships, and significant accomplishments. The faculty advisor submits this with their recommendation form. Transcripts and Summary of Activities Resume - Students must submit a resume that includes previous school and work experience Awards: Fellowships are awarded as training grants and are made for a period of one year starting in either May or August (prorated if anticipated tenure is less than 12 months) and may be renewed annually on a competitive basis for a total of three years, contingent on availability of funds. Fellowship renewal is based on satisfactory progress as reflected in performance evaluations. Selection of Proposals: Selection is based on the quality of the proposed research or plan of study and its relevance to NASA programs; student academic qualifications; the ability of the student to accomplish the defined research; and proposed utilization of Center research facilities. Requirement: All students who receive a fellowship are required to (a) present their research at a state, regional, or national science conference in their field of study and (b) present their results to at least one student organization on the campus of their institution. The presentations should occur during their year of funding. Funding: The total annual requested amount (SC Space Grant + institutional match) cannot exceed $20,000. This amount should include the student’s annual stipend, not less than $17,000/year annualized (prorated if the term of appointment is less than 12 months) and an allowance for additional research-related expenses, not to exceed $3,000. The allowance may be used to help defray tuition costs, purchase books and software, or to provide per diem and travel for the student. Requests for the allowance must be fully justified. Alternative uses for this allowance may be requested but must be consistent with the intent of the program. Funds awarded through the SC Space Grant Consortium must be applied towards the student stipend only. The required 1-to-1matching funds may be applied towards the student’s stipend and allowance. Equal Opportunity: Applicants will not be denied consideration on grounds of race, creed, color, age, sex, or handicap. We encourage women and minorities to apply. Obligation to the Government: While students who receive support through the National Space Grant Program do not incur any formal obligations to the government of the United States, the objectives of the program clearly will be best served if graduates from the program pursue further study or careers in science, technology, and engineering fields and support areas. *As required by NASA, all awardees will be tracked through their first employment. Obligation to the SC Space Grant Consortium: All award recipients must present their findings to a conference during their year of funding.. All award recipients must send a written report of their project and all presentation dates to the SC Space Grant Consortium within 1 year of the completion of the project. It is noted that a portion of the total stipend award may be withheld until the obligations are met. Verification of the presentation(s) must be by communication from the campus SC Space Grant representative. For more information, please contact: Ms. Tara B. Scozzaro, MPA Program Manager phone: (843) 953-5463 | email: scozzarot@cofc.edu + Submit Online Application
Last Updated: September 21, 2009 Curator: Tara Scozzaro