What are the qualifications and considerations?

Seven new fellowships will be awarded to students pursuing graduate studies at Penn State in the following colleges: Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, and the Eberly College of Science. In addition, seventeen students in the following colleges will receive second year awards: Earth & Mineral Science, Engineering, the Eberly College of Science, Health & Human Development, the Intercollege Research Programs. Each fellow will receive a supplemental stipend of $5,000 for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 academic years.

Fellowships will be awarded to outstanding students in fields of study that promote the understanding, assessment, and utilization of Space and align with the NASA Mission Directorates: Aeronautics Research, Exploration Systems, Science, and Space Operations. To learn more about NASA research priorities, please see the following research program homepages: Earth Science, Space Science, Biological and Physical Research, Aerospace Technology, and Space Flight. Fields of study in most departments are eligible. Click here to view a list of our current Graduate Fellows.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

In keeping with the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program goals, fellows will participate in mentoring or education outreach activities (for grades K-16 or the general public) for a minimum of ten hours per semester.

Fellowships are awarded for two-year terms. Application and competition for awards occurs annually and fellows may apply for the fellowship for a two-year term in subsequent years. Students from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

What mentoring activities have Fellows done in the past?

Space Grant Graduate Fellows have fulfilled their mentoring responsibilities by participating in a variety of activities: assisting with the PA Farm Show, visiting classrooms, presenting lectures, assisting with educator workshops, facilitating a planetarium show, and tutoring students. Click here for more mentoring ideas.

How do I apply?

The NASA Space Grant Fellowship Application. (MS Word document).
Letter of nomination by department or program head including a guarantee of financial support for the student during the fellowship year or a statement of the external support provided to the student. (This letter can be sent by nominator to LFT1@psu.edu, in PDF or Word DOC format, to be added to the application.)
Two letters of recommendation: one from the department head or thesis advisor, and one from someone else who knows your professional capabilities (These letters can be sent to LFT1@psu.edu, in PDF or word DOC format, to be added to the application.)
Resume including education, work experience, previous awards, honors, publications, scholarships, fellowships. (Uploaded in word DOC format)
Proposed plan of study for incoming students and proposed plan of research for advanced graduate students (not to exceed two typed pages), which includes some discussion of how the study or research project could be of interest to the national space program. (Uploaded in word DOC format)
A biographical statement, of not more than three pages, describing your academic journey to date. In an effort to measure achievement more accurately, we wish to know how far each applicant has come. To this end, please include information on special burdens you faced due to low income, race, gender, rural background, disabilities or other disadvantages. The purpose of this approach is solely to identify the highest achievers and award on merit. No disadvantage will be used to replace excellence in the selection process. (Uploaded in word DOC format)
A brief description of your interest in and ideas for mentoring or education outreach activities. (Uploaded in word DOC format)
Transcripts from all universities and colleges attended (official or unofficial copies) (Uploaded in PDF format)
GRE scores (official or unofficial copy). (Uploaded in PDF format)

Selection will be made by a committee of faculty, staff, and students.

How do I get more information?

For information and assistance contact:

Lorene Stitzer
Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium
Tel: (814) 865-2535
Email: lft1@psu.edu

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Last Updated: Thursday, 15. March 2007