Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium
Research Scholarship Awards
Fall 2016
The University of Pittsburgh Department of Physics and Astronomy has received funding from the Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium to support undergraduate research. Several undergraduate scholarships of $1500 each will be awarded in the fall semester (2016). Students who receive these scholarships will be expected to work with a faculty research mentor for around 10 hours per week over the 15 week semester. These students will also be required to present the results of their research in a public forum, such as the Physics and Astronomy Undergraduate Seminar or the Undergraduate Research Fair.
The goal of the NASA Space Grant program is to encourage students to enter science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Because the funding comes from NASA, any STEM topic will be considered but preference will be given to research that is directly related to astronomy or space physics. Another goal of the program is to encourage students with little or no prior experience to become involved in research work. Therefore, students who have received one or more of these scholarships in the recent past are welcome to apply again, but preference will be given to candidates who have not previously received one of these awards. Qualified women and minority candidates are strongly urged to apply. Please note that only U.S. Citizens are eligible to receive one of these awards.
The fall semester scholarships will be awarded in early September, so now is the time to get started. Here are the requirements for the application:
1) A one or two page research proposal written by you and a faculty research mentor.
2) A letter of recommendation from the same faculty research mentor.
3) An academic transcript (official or unofficial).
The deadline for the fall semester applications is September 2nd, 2016.
The application materials should include:
1) A research plan (be sure to include your name, department and email address).
2) A letter of recommendation from your faculty mentor.
3) A transcript (official or unofficial).
All application materials should be sent to:
Dr. Russell Clark
Department of Physics and Astronomy
100 Allen Hall
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
You may also drop off the application materials to the receptionist in 100 Allen Hall with attention to Dr. Russell Clark.
Questions should be directed to Dr. Russell Clark (ruc2@pitt.edu, 412-624-9204).