The Center for Engineering MechanoBiology (CEMB) is launching a new fellowship program for STEM Master’s students enrolled at minority-serving institutions (MSIs) or emerging MSIs (URM population of >15%) who have a strong interest in conducting research and pursuing a PhD upon graduation. The goal of this fellowship program is to increase the number of underrepresented minorities pursuing graduate degrees in STEM-related fields. Additionally, we hope to build stronger relationships with MSI institutions and faculty through collaborative research projects. Accepted fellows will conduct a collaborative thesis project with faculty from their home institution and the CEMB. In the summer after their first year, fellows will conduct research in the CEMB collaborator’s lab, and then continue their work during the second year of their master’s program. The program will also offer monthly mentoring and networking opportunities to prepare fellows for research, grad school applications, and the PhD path.
This is a great funding opportunity to support a master’s student in your lab: fellows will receive a 1-year stipend of approximately $31,600 and $10,000 in funds to support research at their home institution and travel to collaborating labs and conferences.
We strongly encourage faculty to recommend prospective and current master’s students for this fellowship. You can do so by emailing Annie Jeong (annjeong@seas.upenn.edu) by November 30, 2021 with your nominations or to express interest in collaborating with a CEMB faculty member. Annie can help identify appropriate collaborators within CEMB and provide application instructions to prospective fellows.
Please share this opportunity with your colleagues and eligible students. I have included the student eligibility criteria below, and more information is available in the attached document and on our website.
Student Eligibility Criteria
Students that meet the following criteria are encourage to apply:
· Be currently enrolled or intend to enroll starting spring or fall 2022 in a full-time research-based master’s degree program at a minority-serving institution or emerging MSI.
· Have a GPA of 3.2 or higher
· Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
· Be a member of a group that is underrepresented in STEM graduate education (African Americans, American Indians including Native Alaskans, Hispanics and Native Pacific Islanders)
· Have a strong desire to enroll in a PhD program after their Master’s degree.