BRC Travel Grants for Fall Semester

The BRC travel grants provide financial assistance to graduate students, undergraduate students and postdoctoral scientists who present their research at scientific meetings. The BRC travel grants promote biotechnological research and achievement.

The awards are merit-based and are offered twice per year. The fall deadline is Friday, Oct. 14, and the spring deadline is April 13.

To apply, complete the application form available at Biotech. Provide all the necessary documentation as specified in the application instructions. Send application materials to Mary Tassava via email. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Awards will be announced near the end of the award month.

For more information, contact Tassava at 487-2959 or mltassav@mtu.edu .

Published in Tech Today

Seminar on Competitive Fellowships

Many federal agencies solicit highly competitive graduate fellowship/scholarship applications. In particular, Michigan Tech students have had success with the following:

The Sponsored Program Enhancement office is offering a series of seminars/workshops to help eligible domestic first-year graduate students and senior undergraduate students understand what opportunities are available and help them develop a competitive application.

  • Overview of Funding Opportunities
    Sept. 8, 4 to 5 p.m., Memorial Union Peninsula Room
  • Writing the Personal Essay and References
    Sept. 15, noon to 1 p.m., Memorial Union Peninsula Room
  • Tips from Real Panel Reviewers
    Sept. 22, noon to 1 p.m., Memorial Union Ballroom B3
  • Writing Research Essays
    Sept. 6, 4 to 5 p.m., Memorial Union Peninsula Room
  • Peer Review Workshop
    Sept. 13, 4 to 5 p.m., Memorial Union Peninsula Room
  • Peer Review Workshop
    Sept. 20, noon to 1 p.m., Memorial Union Ballroom A2

For more information, contact Jodi Lehman at jglehman@mtu.edu .

Boren Fellowships

Boren Fellowships provide up to $30,000 to U.S. graduate students to add an important international and language component to their graduate education through specialization in area study, language study, or increased language proficiency. Boren Fellowships support study and research in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.  For a complete list of countries, click here.

To find out more about Boren Fellowships please, click here.

DOD SMART and NDSEG scholarships

The Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program has been established by the Department of Defense (DoD) to support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.  Find out more about this opportunity at:

http://smart.asee.org/

The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship is a highly competitive, portable fellowship that is awarded to U.S. citizens and nationals who intend to pursue a doctoral degree in one of fifteen supported disciplines. NDSEG confers high honors upon its recipients, and allows them to attend whichever U.S. institution they choose.

Find out more about this opportunity at:

http://ndseg.asee.org/about_ndseg

Nominations sought for MAGS Thesis Award

The Executive Committee of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) is soliciting nominations for the 2012 MAGS Distinguished Master’s Thesis Awards to recognize and reward distinguished scholarship and research at the master’s level.  Michigan Tech may nominate one candidate.

Eligible students will have earned a master of science degree between October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011.

Please see our web page for complete details on eligibility and application procedures.  Nominations are due no later than 4pm, October 10th to Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School.

Scholarships for Hispanic Students in STEM Fields

The following scholarships are intended to increase the number of Hispanic students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). See also the CHCI, HACE, HACU, HCF, HHYA and HEEF scholarship programs.

Advancing Hispanic Excellence in Technology, Engineering, Math and Science (AHETEMS) Scholarship Program
The AHETEMS scholarship program is open to Hispanic students who are enrolled full-time in a science, technology, engineering or math discipline. Award amounts vary from $1,000 to $5,000. A 3.0 minimum GPA on a 4.0 scale is required. The deadline is April 1.

Alliance/Merck Ciencia Scholars Hispanic Scholars Program (Fact Sheet)
The Alliance/Merck Ciencia Scholars Hispanic Scholars Program provides ten $42,500 college scholarships/internships (Alliance/Merck Ciencia Scholars) and twenty-five $2,000 scholarships (Ciencia National Scholarships) per year. The Alliance/Merck Ciencia Scholars receive an annual $5,000 scholarship (renewable for up to a total of four years) and an annual $7,500 summer research internship (for each of three years) along with Ciencia mentor support and the opportunity to present original research in an annual Ciencia Scholars Symposium. The program is open to Hispanic high school seniors from Brownsville (Texas), Elizabeth (New Jersey) and Los Angeles (California) who will major in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. The deadline is in mid-January. For more information call 1-866-783-2645 or write to National Alliance for Hispanic Health, Attn: Alliance/Merck Ciencia Hispanic Scholars Program, 1501 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036.

National Organization of Professional Hispanic Natural Resources Conservation Service Employees (NOPHNRCSE)
The National Organization of Professional Hispanic Natural Resources Conservation Service Employees sponsors four $1,000 scholarships for Hispanic students who wish to pursue or are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree with a major in natural resources or natural resources conservation at an accredited 4-year college or university. The scholarship is open to high school seniors and current college freshmen, sophomores and juniors. The deadline is in late February.

Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES)
The Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists sponsors scholarships for Hispanic students who are majoring in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Award amounts vary from $1,000 to $4,000. Applicants must be student members of MAES. The deadline is in late September.

Scholarships for Hispanic Students in Other Majors

Jorge Mas Canosa Freedom Foundation
The Jorge Mas Canosa Freedom Foundation sponsors the Mas Family Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students of Cuban descent. Eligible majors include engineering, business, international relations, economics, communications and journalism. The deadline is in mid-January. For more information, please call 1-305-529-0075 x135 or write to The Mas Family Scholarships, PO Box 14-1898, Miami, FL 33114.

National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees
The National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees sponsors two scholarship programs. The Rene Matos Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, student activities, honors and awards, community involvement, leadership, personal qualities and strengths. The deadline is May 1. The NHCFAE-FEEA Scholarship Program (see also the FEEA web site) awards a $1,000 scholarship to current civilian federal employees who are NHCFAE members, their spouses and dependent children. A 3.0 minimum GPA on a 4.0 scale is required. The deadline is in late March.

State Farm Companies Foundation
The State Farm Companies Foundation awards twenty-five $2,500 awards annual to Hispanic students interested in teaching careers. The deadline is mid-October. The scholarships are administered by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

US National Highway Institute
The US National Highway Institute offers the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (DDETFP) for undergraduate and graduate students at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Students cannot apply directly for these fellowships, as funding is provided through the colleges. The awards are for students pursuing degrees in transportation-related disciplines. US citizenship and permanent residency is required.

Adelante Fund Scholarship Program
The Adelante Fund Scholarship Program sponsors several scholarship programs with amounts ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. The deadline is in late May.

  • The national scholarship is available to college juniors or seniors pursuing a degree in business, economics, finance, accounting, marketing, public relations or sales. Applicants must be US citizens or legal permanent residents. Applicants must have a 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA to continue receiving the scholarship.
  • The MillerCoors Texas scholarship is available to an incoming or current full-time undergraduate student attending a college in Dallas, Houston or El Paso. Applicants must be US citizens or legal permanent residents. Applicants must have a 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA to continue receiving the scholarship.
  • The MillerCoors Chicago scholarship is available to an incoming or current undergraduate student attending a college in the Chicago Metro area. Applicants must be US citizens or legal permanent residents. Applicants must have a 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA to continue receiving the scholarship.
  • The Hope Scholarship is available to an incoming or current undergraduate student attending an accredited college in San Antonio, Texas. This scholarship is not renewable. The award is not based on financial need. Applicants must have a 2.5 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must demonstrate involvement in community service. Recipients may pursue a degree in any field of study offered by the San Antonio college. Employees of CPS Energy are not eligible.
  • The iHispano Scholarship is available to any incoming or current undergraduate student at a 4-year university in any major. Applicants must be US citizens or legal permanent residents. Applicants must have a 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA to continue receiving the scholarship

Best Buy Emerging Latino Leaders Scholarship Program
The Emerging Latino Leaders Scholarship Program is a national essay contest sponsored by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and Best Buy Children’s Foundation. NCLR is the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. Two $10,000 and three $5,000 scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence and community service. The deadline is in early March.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute provides educational and leadership development programs including scholarships and fellowships. The scholarships include the CHCI Scholarship and CHCI Alumni Association Dream Scholarship (for first generation college students). The fellowships incude the CHCI Public Policy Fellowship for recent bachelor’s degree recipients and the CHCI Graduate & Young Professional Fellowship for college graduates with at least a Master’s degree or three years of professional experience in the chosen policy field. The fellowships provide an opportunity to work in Congressional offices, federal agencies or national advocacy organizations. Fields include health, housing, international affairs, law and STEM. All recipients are selected based on community service and leadership.

Gates Millennium Scholarship Program (GMSP)
The Gates Millennium Scholarship Program is funded by a $1 billion grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Awards for Hispanic and Latino students are awarded in partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Applicants must be US citizens or eligible non-citizens who are high school seniors intending to enroll full-time in a college or university. Candidates must have a 3.3 or higher GPA and demonstrate financial need (eligible for the Pell Grant). Recipients are selected on the basis of leadership and academic excellence. The deadline is in early January. For more information, call 1-877-690-4677 or write to Gates Millennium Scholars, PO Box 10500, Fairfax, VA 22031-8044.

Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE)
The Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement provides several undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships to Hispanic and Latino students. An example is the ComEd Latino Scholarship Fund which awards five $2,500 scholarships to Illinois residents who have a 3.0 or higher GPA. Eligible majors include accounting, business, chemistry, communications, computer science, engineering, pre-law, mathematics, media relations and physics. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic excellence and community service. The deadline is in late August.

  • NASA-MUST: Motivating Undergraduates in Science and Technology is a renewable scholarship for undergraduate students that covers up to half tuition and fees, capped at $10,000 per year. It also includes a 10-week summer internship with $6,000 stipend and $1,000 travel allowance. Applicants must major in STEM fields of study (science, technology, engineering or mathematics). US citizenship is required. The deadline is in early February.
  • Google Scholarship Program in Computer Science and Computer Engineering is a $10,000 scholarship open to Hispanic students who are juniors or seniors in college or pursuing a Master’s or PhD, with at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must be majoring in computer science or computer engineering, demonstrate financial need and be enrolled on a full-time basis. US citizenship or permanent residency is required. The deadline is March 15.

For more information, call 1-800-644-4223 or 1-202-296-5400, fax 1-202-296-3774, write to Hispanic College Fund, Inc., 1301 K Street NW, Suite 450-A West, Washington, DC 20005, or send email to hcf-info@hispanicfund.org.

Hispanic Heritage Foundation
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation offers the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards (HHYA) to graduating high school seniors with a 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale. Awards are granted in several categories, including academic excellence, business, education, engineering, mathematics, journalism, leadership and sports. Award amounts include $1,000 (bronze medallion), $2,000 (silver medallion) and $3,000 (gold medallion). National HHYA recipients receive $5,000 and a laptop computer. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents. The deadline is March 30.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund provides scholarships open to graduating high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students and community college students intending to transfer to a 4-year college. Applicants must be US citizens or eligible non-citizens and have a 3.0 or higher GPA. Most awards have deadlines in mid-February, although there are some awards with deadlines as early as mid-November and as late as July 15. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $20,000. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund awards more than 4,000 scholarships totaling more than $25 million a year. For more information call 1-877-HSF-INFO (1-877-473-4636) or write to Hispanic Scholarship Fund, 55 Second Street, Suite 1500 San Francisco, CA 94105. (Organizations interested in supporting the efforts of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund should contact the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Institute.)

La Unidad Latina Foundation Academic Scholarships
The La Unidad Latina Foundation offers academic scholarships of $250 to $1,000 for Hispanic students enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program at a 4-year US college or university. Applicants must have completed one full-time year of undergraduate education or at least one full-time semester of graduate study. Applicants must have a GPA of 2.8 to 3.6 (inclusive) on a 4.0 scale. The deadlines are February 15 (spring) and October 15 (fall).

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
The League of United Latin American Citizens sponsors the LULAC National Scholarship Fund (LNSF). Scholarships amounts are up to $2,000. Applicants must have applied to or be enrolled in a college, university or graduate student (including 2-year colleges and vocational school programs leading to an Associate’s degree). A minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale is required for the National Scholastic Achievement Awards, and a minimum 3.25 GPA is required for the Honors Awards. Applicants must be US citizens or legal permanent residents.

Sallie Mae Fund
The Sallie Mae Fund offers two scholarship programs for Hispanic students. The First in My Family Scholarship provides $500 to $5,000 to students who are US citizens or permanent residents and have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. The deadline is April 15. The scholarship is managed by the Hispanic College Fund. The other award program is the Community College Transfer Scholarship.

For original source please visit: http://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/articles/19-scholarships-for-hispanic-and-latino-students?page=1

Dissertation Fellowships for Republic of China Students Abroad

The Chiang Ching-Kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange (CCKF)
Ame
rican offers doctoral candidates fellowship opportunities for students completing their dissertations in the humanities and social sciences.  Research must be focused on topics related to Chinese culture and scoiety, the development of the Republic of China, or Taiwan Studies. Their dissertations should cover one of the following fields: literature, history, philosophy, linguistics, art, sociology, anthropology, psychology, political science, legal studies, economics, or media studies.

Deadline: Oct 15, 2011

Upper amount of award: $15,000

Donald Yerg, former Graduate Studies Dean and Physics Faculty Member, Dies

Donald G. Yerg, 86, died July 23 in Minneapolis. He was born in Lewistown, Pa., and received a PhD in Physics/Meteorology from Pennsylvania State University. He joined the faculty of Michigan Tech in 1955, after several years of conducting research and teaching at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and in Puerto Rico.

At Michigan Tech, he taught graduate and undergraduate courses in the physics department and was the University’s first Dean of Graduate Studies (now the Graduate School), helping to build Tech’s master’s and doctoral programs.

Professor emeritus Don Daavettila recalled working with Yerg as a graduate student before they became colleagues in the physics department.

“He was very helpful to us as students, always explaining what he was doing,” Daavettila said. “I enjoyed that. He was a fine person. He loved to talk physics, and he loved to talk politics, too.”

Yerg remained active in upper atmosphere research by publishing and presenting at various national scientific and academic conferences. For several years, he hosted a program on Michigan Tech’s radio station, WGGL, where he interviewed scientists on how their research impacted everyday life.

An avid reader of political, social and foreign journals, and historical works; a student of the Spanish language, the recorder and acoustic guitar; and a writer of progressive letters to the press–he was a man of inquisitive mind and critical thinking.

He was happiest on the shores of Lake Superior or on backwoods trails of the Keweenaw, whether it was sailing, hiking, biking or skiing. His ashes will be spread over Lake Superior in a family ceremony.

He is survived by wife, Mary Jane, children George, Mark, and Suzanne Yerg, and four grandchildren. Cards can be sent to Dare’s Funeral Home, 805 Main Street, Elk River, Minn. 55330, or visitors can sign the guest book at daresfuneralservice.com .

by Dennis Walikainen, senior editor
Published in Tech Today

Seminar: Submitting your Thesis or Dissertation to the Graduate School

Students planning on finishing a thesis or dissertation fall 2011 or spring 2012 are invited a seminar designed to help students understand the submission process and answer questions about it.

Once you register, you will receive a confirmation with the location and a reminder of the date and time.

If you are unable to join us, a taped version of this seminar is available online from our May 19th presentation.

Students who are interested in learning more about the formatting requirements and resources available to assist them should visit our formatting web page and refer to our January 27 seminar.