Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Graduate students in math, science and engineering now have an opportunity to get a slice of federal stimulus money — a $50,500 fellowship to start or continue their graduate studies.
The Department of Energy announced Wednesday that $12.5 million of stimulus money would be available for seniors and graduate students who want to pursue select graduate degrees. The Department of Energy is making these fellowships available in graduate training for basic research in physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computer science and environmental sciences. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in a news release that the fellowships would be awarded in early 2010 but that students could begin applying now through Nov. 30.
Keith Yehle, director of federal relations for the University, said he notified people such as the deans of engineering and pharmacy about the opportunity. He said that this was a direct—to—student program from the federal government, and that an entrepreneurial student seeking money for graduate school should be interested.
How to apply for a fellowship
— Be an undergraduate senior majoring in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, engineering, environmental sciences, or computers sciences; or a first- or second-year graduate student in a qualified research-focused Master’s or Ph.D. program at an accredited U.S. college or university at the time of applying
— Be enrolled as a full-time student at the time of applying
— Have completed a baccalaureate degree in a field of physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, engineering, environmental sciences or computer sciences by July 31, 2010
— Have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or higher at the time of applying
The online form will ask for a completed application, including two essay questions available at the Web site, a PDF file of a student’s academic transcripts and three letters of reference.
Eligible students can apply online at http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/
SCGF.html through November 30.
Source: http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/
SCGF.html
“This would be the chemistry senior this year at KU who wants to go on and get his graduate degree in organic or inorganic chemistry,” Yehle said. “This is a pot of money — 12 and a half million dollars — that’s sitting out there for students to take.”
Adam Cyr, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho graduate student and president of the Graduate Engineering Association, said he had seen students’ interest in graduate school increase this past year.
“I think that’s either because they’re trying to get jobs and they can’t,” Cyr said. “Or they think they won’t be able to, so they’re just checking it out. But I think there’s definitely more interest by students in the undergraduate level about what graduate school has to offer.”
Christine Jensen Sundstrom, director of the Graduate Writing Support Program, said students who could receive money from extra sources such as the federal government for graduate studies had a benefit over other graduate students. She said graduate students typically relied on an adviser or a department with a grant or a GTA program. Sundstrom said it was important for students to make sure they followed all of the instructions when applying, because there would be a lot of applicants.
“I suggest that they write their essay questions first offline,” Sundstrom said. “And that they have essay questions read by several people in their field. It’s best if they get reference letters from people who have worked with DOE.”
Cyr said he thought it was important for students to be aggressive in applying available grants and scholarship money.
“I think some students come in and sit in the background a little bit and hope things work themselves out,” Cyr said. “But I think you need to be active in trying to find that. You need to be active in applying for fellowships, things like this.”
— Edited by Abby Olcese
Kemper awards presented to 20 professors
Instructors recognized for teaching and advising excellence with $5,000 W.T. Kemper Fellowships
Stimulus grant funds green building
A $12.3 million stimulus grant will help the School of Engineering construct ...
Better know a major
Environmental Studies offers unique set of skills and opportunities within a degree.
Engineering highlights list of money-making majors
Many students, though, are not getting degrees on PayScale.com's list of most ...
Biomedical research may face cut
Bush's new budget proposal could decrease money available for biomedical research at ...
Enrollment shows effect of economy
School of Business reports increase in students since economic recession.
News Briefs: October 2, 2007
The news in brief for October 2, 2007.
Proposed stimulus could aid students
Education clause in the bill could increase available money for grants and ...
One student injured, another killed in two-car ...
One dead, one injured on K-10.
Engineering Expo commemorates 100-year anniversary
E-Week has a rich history and this year's events encourage the entire ...
Medicinal chemist receives fellowship
Doctoral student’s research on cancer lands her an award, while she deals ...
Journal of Undergraduate Research prepares for third ...
The peer-reviewed and primarily student-run journal is accepting applications.
NSF awards six $30,000 doctoral fellowships
The new fellows will be participating in the C-CHANGE program focusing on ...
Know your Student Senate candidates
Learn more about the candidates for Student Senate
New Italian professor arrives at University
Crystal Hall went from an Cornell undergrad studying biological sciences to a ...
Alumni play different roles now at University
Former students have returned to the University not just for homecoming, but ...
Regents allocating funds to maintenance, tuition
Two thirds of funds are going towards deferred maintenance with the remainder ...
Fellowship doles out big bucks
Seven teachers were awarded checks of appreciation from the W.T. Kemper Fellowship ...
Engineering school offers new degree option
Optional computer science emphasis could broaden students' skills and make them more ...
Boyda considers KU pharmaceuticals proposal
On Friday, the University of Kansas’ pharmaceutical program presented Representative Nancy Boyda, ...
Chancellor examines University standards
University committee will work with Gray-Little to possibly change admissions and recruitment ...
Navigating a competitive job market
University works to improve students’ employment prospects during tough economic times.
From film to folklore, awards help students ...
Undergraduate research awards, ranging from $750 to $2,000, went to student projects ...
Four students win research awards
The Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science recognized ...
Peer tutoring benefits tutored, tutors
Qualified students can still apply to receive tutoring from or to tutor ...
Grants fund Dyche Hall upgrades
Two awards will allow the Kansas Biodiversity Institute to make renovations to ...
Minimum credit hour requirements lowered for some ...
The University will decide how to implement ruling with individual schools.
Bill might cut KU's research funds
KU students and faculty who depend on federal research funding might be ...
Department of chemistry offers unique undergraduate opportunities
The summer program gives students exclusive research experience and the ability to ...
New government relations director for University chosen
Patents not pending for the University
Research patents are having an increase at the University and research are ...
Programs retain U.S. News rankings
Four other programs, including education and law, move up in the annual ...
Professor studies marijuana withdrawal
New research grants include a study of effects of marijuana and withdrawal ...
Microgravity teams test projects at space center
Groups spend time in zero gravity environment to prove hypotheses.
Research funding tops $200 million
External research funding increases by nearly $9 million in 2009 fiscal year.
Access granted
Even in these tough economic times, students can access grant money from ...
University admission standards under review
An admissions task force formed by the Board of Regents approved recommendations ...
Editorial: Stimulus act won’t help students immediately
While the plan contains benefits, most of the bill's contents won't have ...
HOPE Award winner loves job
Since coming to teach at the University of Kansas in 2003, Edward ...
Don't call them 'sci-fi' enthusiasts
Science fiction writers, fans clear up differences; meet for summer workshop.
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID