Category: Funding Opportunities

Opportunities for funding graduate education.

East Asia & Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI) research program

NSF’s OIIA/ISE announces opportunity for U.S. graduate students to participate in research experiences in East Asian countries in summer 2014 through the East Asia & Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI) program. EAPSI supports 200-205 graduate students each year to do research in the lab of their choice in any of seven locations: Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore or Taiwan.

Each institute has a fixed start and end date, and includes a pre-departure orientation near NSF and an in-country language and culture orientation.

An EAPSI award includes a $5,000 stipend and round trip air ticket provided by NSF, and a living allowance provided by NSF’s counterpart funding agency in the host location.

The program is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents enrolled in research-oriented graduate programs in NSF-funded STEM fields.

The application deadline for summer 2014 is November 25, 2013.

See EAPSI program announcement and more information at: http://www.nsf.gov/eapsi.

EAPSI is an excellent opportunity for U.S. graduate students to advance their research in collaboration with high-caliber scientists and engineers in East Asia and to build professional networks in a scientifically important region of the world. The program is entirely funded by ISE and our international partners: there is no cost to NSF directorates or to your PIs. It’s an excellent opportunity to leverage our resources to advance international research and education opportunities for your community.

Contact: Anne Emig, Program Manager for EAPSI
International Science & Engineering
Office of International & Integrative Activities
National Science Foundation
Phone: 703-292-7241
Email: aemig@nsf.gov

Fellowships through the Council on Foreign Relations

CFR 2014–2015 International Affairs Fellowship

The International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) assists mid-career scholars and professionals in advancing their analytic capabilities and broadening their foreign policy experience.  Selected fellows from academia and the private sector spend fellowship tenures in public service and policy-oriented settings, while government officials spend their tenures in a scholarly atmosphere free from operational pressure.  The duration of the fellowship is 12 months.

Applicants must be:

U.S. citizens and permanent residents between ages of 27 – 35

Eligible to work in the United States.  CFR does not sponsor for visas.

Stipend of $85,000.  CFR awards approximately 10 fellowships annually.

Apply online before October 31, 2013.

CFR 2014–2015 International Affairs Fellowship in Japan, sponsored by Hitachi, Ltd.

The International Affairs Fellowship in Japan (IAF-J), sponsored by Hitachi, Ltd., provides a selected group of mid-career U.S. citizens the opportunity to expand their professional horizons by spending a period of research or other professional activity in Japan.  The duration of the fellowship is between 3-12 months.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens between ages of 27-45.

The program is intended primarily for those without substantial prior experience in Japan.  Knowledge of the Japanese language is not a requirement.

Stipend is in yen, which covers travel and living expenses in Japan.  CFR awards approximately 3-5 fellowships annually.

Apply online before October 31, 2013.

CFR 2014–2015 Stanton Nuclear Security Fellowship

The Stanton Nuclear Security Fellowship (SNSF) Program, made possible by a generous grant from the Stanton Foundation, offers younger scholars studying nuclear security issues the opportunity to spend a period of 12 months at the Council on Foreign Relations’ (CFR) offices in New York or Washington, DC, conducting policy-relevant research.

Applicants must be:

Junior (non-tenured) faculty, postdoctoral fellows, or predoctoral candidates from any discipline who are working on a nuclear security related issue.

U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are eligible to work in the United States.  CFR does not sponsor for visas.

Stipend of $100,000 for junior (non-tenured) faculty; $75,000 for postdoctoral; and $50,000 for predoctoral fellows.  CFR awards up to 3 fellowships annually.

Applicants must submit an application form and other supporting application materials before December 16, 2013.

CFR 2014–2015 International Affairs Fellowship in Nuclear Security, sponsored by the Stanton Foundation

The International Affairs Fellowship in Nuclear Security (IAF-NS), sponsored by the Stanton Foundation, offers university-based scholars valuable hands-on experience in the nuclear security policymaking field and places selected fellows in U.S. government positions or international organizations for a period of 12 months to work with practitioners.

Applicants must be:

Faculty members with tenure or on tenure-track lines at accredited universities and who propose to spend a year working in government or at an international organization.

U.S. citizens or permanent residents, eligible to work in the United States and are between ages of 29-50.  CFR does not sponsor for visas.

Former Stanton nuclear security fellows who meet the eligibility requirements can apply.

Stipend of $125,000.  CFR awards approximately two fellowships annually.

All application materials must be submitted to fellowships@cfr.org by January 17, 2013.

For questions or assistance for any of the fellowships, contact Janine Hill, Council on Foreign Relations, 212.434.9753 or jhill@cfr.org

2014 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

The 2014 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Solicitation has been posted.  Faculty play a critical role in encouraging our most competitive students to apply for fellowship opportunities like the NSF GRFP.  Michigan Tech’s Research Development Office has for the previous three years offered a seminar for all interested applicants.  Based on an internal screening process recommended by the NSF GRFP office, this year the seminar series will only be open to students identified by faculty as competitive applicants.

As you identify students, please keep in mind that competitive applicants are often students who have or will most likely be awarded university teaching or research assistantships. Students who have internal graduate support should still be encouraged to apply.  While fellows benefit from a three-year annual stipend of $32,000 along with a $12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees (paid to the institution), which in turn frees up internal funding for other graduate students, the fellowship is more about prestige.  As the oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, the GRFP has a long history of selecting recipients who achieve high levels of success in their future academic and professional careers.  The reputation of the GRFP follows recipients and often helps them become life-long leaders that contribute significantly to both scientific innovation and teaching.  Likewise, students who receive the GRFP call attention to the high-quality graduate education and research ongoing at Michigan Tech.

Names and emails of faculty-identified students should be emailed to Jodi Lehman (jglehman@mtu.edu) by Wednesday, September 11th.

Eligibility for the GRFP:

  • be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident
  • be planning to pursue a research-focused Master’s or Ph.D. program in an NSF-supported field
  • be enrolled in an eligible program at an accredited United States graduate institution by Fall 2014
  • have completed no more than twelve months of full-time graduate study (or the equivalent) as of August 1, 2013.

Moreover, competitive students should have:

  • a strong academic record of 3.5 GPA or higher
  • the ability to obtain 3 exceptional reference letters– due November 14th
  • previous professional (e.g., internship/enterprise), research (e.g., SURF),  and educational outreach (e.g., K-12, international, community) experiences
  • future research, professional and outreach goals that will potentially benefit society

Michigan Tech’s Research Development Office will formally invite faculty-identified students to participate in a NSF GRFP seminar series.  This eight-week series will help applicants develop submission material (Personal Statement, Relevant Background and Future Goals and Graduate Research Statement) and request letters of reference in a timely and helpful manner.  Speakers include experienced NSF GRFP reviewers and panel chairs, Dr. Pushpathala Murthy who is currently serving as program officer for the NSF GRFP, and previous NSF fellows.

Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) Fellowship Program

U.S. Department of Energy

Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) Fellowship Program

Now Accepting Applications for BS, MS or PhD Graduates and recent Alumni (within the last 5 years) in Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Physical Sciences, Cyber/Computer Security, Information/Systems Technology or related technology degrees.

Application closes Sunday, September 22 2013, midnight EST – visit http://see.orau.org/ProgramDescription.aspx?Program=10417 or see.orau.org and search for CBFO to get started NOW!

Opportunity in Carlsbad, New Mexico for a full-time, one-year or more commitment, starting in October or November 2013 to conduct mission-oriented research in DOE’s Carlsbad Field Office.  Applicant must be interested in a multi-disciplinary, fast-paced environment focused on energy technology research and development.

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens – no exceptions.

Strong analytical, research and communication skills are required.  Annual stipends are dependent on academic level, skills and experience. Additional allowances for travel to site, medical insurance or housing may be provided.

For more information, e-mail cbfo.fellowship@orise.orau.gov.

Athletics and Recreation Department Designer – Graduate Assistant

The Athletics and Recreation Department has an open Graduate Assistant position for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Title: Graphic Designer, Videographer, Web Designer
Reports to: Associate Athletic Director – External Relations
Appointment: Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters
Compensation: Graduate degree tuition (18 credits per year) plus room and board stipend

Responsibilities:
■ General graphic design of logos, posters, table tents, booklets, publications, brochures, credentials, web ads, and promotional items for departmental programs, initiatives, and services.
■ Create overall theme, look, and feel of publications and promotions.
■ Maintain and update all departmental and program specific websites inside the content management system.
■ Create exciting video projects to help communicate to our students, faculty, and staff by working through the entire video process.
■ Photograph events and requested University photos for use in publications.
■ Ensure adherence to the University Identity Standards.
■ Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
■ Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
■ Creativity, initiative, motivation, integrity, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn.
■ Effective written and oral communication skills, problem solving abilities, and decision-making skills.
■ Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects with overlapping deadlines.
■ Ability to represent department and Michigan Tech in a professional manner.
■ Willingness to work some evening and weekend hours as needed.
■ Must be enrolled as a graduate student for the academic year.
■ Must maintain good academic standing as a student in a graduate program.
■ Must be free of any disciplinary sanctions imposed through Student Conduct Services at time of appointment and remain free while employed.

Additional Desired Qualifications:
■ Working knowledge of design software, including the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign)
■ Demonstrated experience with content management systems.
■ Demonstrated experience in graphic design of posters, brochures, and websites.
■ Demonstrated experience in video projects and production.
■ The desire to create publications that are meaningful to students and other audiences.
■ Is willing to go above and beyond the minimum requirements.
■ Ability to work well on a team and also individually with little supervision.
■ Demonstrates flexibility and the ability to take initiative.

Please contact Joel Isaacson, Associate Athletic Director – External Relations, jdisaacs@mtu.edu for more information.

Two Michigan Tech Students Win NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded graduate research fellowships to Michigan Tech students Julie Jarvey and Daniel Cerminaro.  Jarvey, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology and Management from Tech, is currently completing a certificate program in Geographic Information Systems and is about to start work toward a master’s degree and a PhD.  Cerminaro will receive his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Commencement May 4.

NSF also named three Michigan Tech students for honorable mentions in the competitive research fellowship program:  Mary Jubinski, chemical engineering; Kendall Gruzul, a science teacher who plans to attend Michigan Tech; and Byrel Mitchell, mechanical engineering.

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited US institutions.

NSF received more than 13,000 fellowship applications this year and made 2,000 awards. Benefits of the fellowships include three years of support, including a yearly stipend, a $12,000 cost-of-education allowance to the student’s university, international research and professional development opportunities and access to a supercomputer.

Published in Tech Today

Grad Student Receives NSF Fellowship for Summer Research in China

Douglas Smith will be traveling to Beijing this summer, courtesy of the National Science Foundation East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes.

Smith, who is earning his MS in Chemistry, received the EAPSI fellowship to conduct research at Beijing Technological University. The fellowships support research in several countries around the Pacific Rim, but Smith was drawn to China in particular.

“Since my adviser and most of my lab mates are from China, I thought, if they are making the effort to be here in the US, I should try and go over there and walk a mile in their shoes,” he said.

EAPSI fellowships give graduate students first-hand research experience outside the US; an introduction to the host nation’s science, science policy, and scientific infrastructure; and an orientation to the culture and language. NSF’s aim is to prepare researchers for international collaborations early in their careers, thus ensuring a globally aware US scientific workforce.

Smith started his research career as an undergraduate, working with Assistant Professor Lanrong Bi (Chemistry). After he completed his BS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, she continued as his advisor.

In China, Smith will be furthering studies on a series of new fluorescent dyes that can detect changes in the pH of organelles–minute structures within cells involved many physiological processes. Changes in pH can serve as an early warning system for disease, and the dyes can also help scientists understand the inner workings of cells.

Smith’s research has been expedited by the confocal microscope the University acquired in December. It uses lasers and high-end optics to take 3D images of cells, tissue and nanomaterials without destroying samples. “I feel that the Olympus confocal microscope was key to generate the important preliminary results for applying the EAPSI fellowship,” he said.

Bi agreed. “Doug has done excellent work, and he is highly deserving of this fellowship,” said Bi. “Having access to this equipment has helped him–and our entire team–to be much more productive. All the members of our team are grateful to each of the units that helped fund the microscope, especially the College of Sciences and Arts, which spearheaded the purchase.”

Published in Tech Today

2013 Summer Internship Opportunity with MISNER

The Michigan Space Grant Consortium announces the Michigan Initiative on Student NASA Exploration Research (MISNER) program. The MISNER program will give undergraduate and/or graduate students the opportunity to work in Exploration Systems Mission Directorate-related industries with the state of Michigan during summer 2013.

* 10-week internship program (within the May-August 2013 time frame)
* Total award: $6,000
* US Citizens Only

Deadline date is Monday, April 15, 2013

Underrepresented minority, women and disabled students are strongly encouraged to apply.

To read the full announcement and application form, visit www.mi.spacegrant.org

Published in TechToday

2013 TOEFL® Scholarship Program

A TOEFL® scholarship can help you study at any of the 8,500+ institutions listed in the TOEFL® Destinations Directory (PDF).  The scholarship program is designed to award TOEFL test takers for achieving academic excellence, exhibiting leadership skills, performing extracurricular activities and demonstrating English-communication proficiency.

Test takers applying for the scholarship must currently be living in China, India, Japan, Korea or Taiwan.

The TOEFL Scholarship Program rewards students who have high academic achievement as well as:

  • ability to communicate in English
  • demonstrated leadership skills
  • participation in extracurricular activities, such as community service
  • innovative ideas as reflected in essays

To be eligible to win a TOEFL scholarship, you must:

  • Currently be living in the country from where you are applying.
  • Beginning undergraduate or graduate study in 2013 at a college or university listed in the TOEFL® Destinations Directory (PDF).
  • Hold a grade point average of at least 80 or higher on a 100-point scale or a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.  For high school students in Korea, you must have a level of 1–3 on a 9-level scale in any three subjects in your last semester.
  • Have a valid TOEFL test score used as a requirement for admissions into your undergraduate or graduate program.
  • Complete the application form online and upload your transcripts.

The deadline is April 30, 2013. Apply for a scholarship today!

Scholarship award funds for students who will be studying abroad are applied to their tuition fees only after the student has registered with the institution and arrived on campus.

If you have questions email us at toeflscholarship@ets.org.

Administered by ETS Scholarship & Recognition Programs.

Kenneth L. Stevenson Biomedical Engineering Fellowship Program

The Department of Biomedical Engineering is now accepting applications for the Kenneth L. Stevenson Biomedical Engineering Summer Research Fellowship Program.

The primary goal of the program is to provide deserving undergraduate and beginning graduate students the opportunity to participate in meaningful Biomedical Engineering research at Michigan Tech.  Specifically:

a) Undergraduate students (two awards):  Undergraduates will receive undergraduate-to-graduate transitional research fellowships of $4,000 each. Students entering their junior and senior years will be considered.  The award is intended to introduce students to the rigors associated with graduate-level research in biomedical engineering.

b) Graduate students (two awards):  Students who have completed an undergraduate degree prior to the fellowship period and are beginning studies in Michigan Tech’s biomedical engineering graduate program (PhD or MS) will receive fellowships of $5,000 each in support of intensive summer research.  These awards will allow students to establish their research in the initial phase of their graduate studies.

The application process is now open.  For information regarding the application process and materials, contact the Biomedical Engineering Department Chair Sean J. Kirkpatrick at sjkirkpa@mtu.edu or in person in M&M 301.

Applications for these annual awards are due by noon, March 15. Fellowship recipients will conduct a research project under the guidance of a Michigan Tech Department of Biomedical Engineering faculty mentor during the summer term.

Published in TechToday