Program Overview for Students

An NCED student works on the experimental flume at St. Anthony Falls Laboratory.

NSF's Science and Technology Centers (STCs) represent the nation's most elite interdisciplinary research training grounds. Participating STCs span dozens of traditional science and engineering disciplines. In choosing to pursue a graduate career at an STC, GEM-STC fellows can realize their “big picture” scientific interests in programs that have been vetted and endorsed by NSF for their quality.

Lead STC institutions are typically partnered with 2-9 other universities, allowing students to choose from a variety of institutions across the country. In addition, most STCs sponsor and encourage travel by graduate students between partner campuses to enhance their research experience. Participating universities include Cornell, MIT, Alabama A&M, and University of Washington. Follow this link for a complete list of locations.

Program Requirements:

1. Candidates for participation are selected from the following underrepresented groups: African American, Mexican American, American Indian, Puerto Rican American, and other Hispanic Americans.
2. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen at the time of application.
3. Applicant must apply through the GEM Program application process and agree to abide by GEM guidelines.
4. Applicant must apply and be admitted to an institution's graduate program and specific discipline.
5. The application deadline is November 1st, 2006.

Program Benefits:

1. A GEM-STC Fellowship confers a certain prestige and pays a substantial portion of your advisor’s first year costs for having you as a student.
2. Your Fellowship may be underwritten by a corporation with which you can build a career relationship and you may have the option to intern for this company in the summertime.
3. You will remain a GEM-STC Fellow for the remainder of your graduate career and have access to the GEM network for professional advice, mentorship, and social contacts.

Visit GEM's website to learn more.