Graduate School Newsblog

Category: Funding Opportunities

Opportunities for funding graduate education.

2014 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

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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.

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Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) Fellowship Program

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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.

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Athletics and Recreation Department Designer – Graduate Assistant

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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.

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Two Michigan Tech Students Win NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

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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

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Grad Student Receives NSF Fellowship for Summer Research in China

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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

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2013 Summer Internship Opportunity with MISNER

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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

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2013 TOEFL® Scholarship Program

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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.

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Kenneth L. Stevenson Biomedical Engineering Fellowship Program

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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

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New Graduate Fellowships Lure Returning Peace Corps Volunteers

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A new partnership between Michigan Tech and the US Peace Corps will enable returning Peace Corps volunteers to attend graduate school at Michigan Tech while putting their Peace Corps skills to work. Michigan Tech is one of the universities recently selected by the Peace Corps to offer new or expanded Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program graduate degrees, which include scholarships and degree-related internships in underserved American communities.

The new fellowships will support graduate degrees in biological sciences, forestry, applied ecology, forest ecology and management, forest molecular genetics and biotechnology, environmental policy and industrial archaeology. All returned Peace Corps volunteers will be eligible to apply for the Coverdell program. Currently, 12 alumni who received bachelor’s degrees at Michigan Tech are serving in the Peace Corps. They also will be eligible for the new program when they finish their service.

“Michigan Tech is extremely pleased to be selected to participate in the Coverdell Fellows Program,” said Graduate School Dean Jacqueline Huntoon. “With this program, we will continue to strengthen our collaboration with the Peace Corps, building on our existing programs for returned Peace Corps volunteers and students in our Peace Corps Master’s International programs.

Read more..

Published in Tech Today by Jenn Donovan, public relations director

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DoD STAR Internship Information Session

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The Department of Defense will be accepting applications for the Student Training and Academic Recruitment (STAR) internship starting Friday February 1 and ending Monday February 4. The STAR internship program is a paid, on-campus position that allows students to complete their hours while working around their classes.

To learn more about the duties, benefits, and qualifications as well as how to apply for this amazing internship opportunity, contact the current STAR representative for more information:

Rhea-Ann Moses
Michigan Technological University STAR Program Representative
220 Administration Building
rhea-ann.moses@cpms.osd.mil

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