National Physical Science Consortium Offers Graduate Fellowships

The National Physical Science Consortium is a partnership between government agencies and laboratories, industry, and higher education. NPSC's goal is to increase the number of American citizens with graduate degrees in the physical sciences and related engineering fields, emphasizing recruitment of a diverse applicant pool including women and minorities.

Since inception in 1989, NPSC has awarded 420 graduate fellowships. Of those fellows, 176 have received a PhD and 88 have received an MS. Seventy-three students are currently enrolled. Ninety-three percent of NPSC fellows have been minority, female, or both, those historically underrepresented in science.

By helping to provide a continuous source of scientists who are U. S. citizens, employers and universities can achieve diversity and balance in our nation's scientific community. In turn, NPSC can help today's promising young scientists — tomorrow's science leaders — to realize their dreams.

The NPSC Graduate Fellowship is unique in being: open to all American citizens; lasting for up to six years; providing a $20,000 annual stipend; covering tuition; including one or two paid summer internships with a government agency; providing a mentor and the opportunity for a lasting relationship with the sponsor.

The application is easy to complete, requiring the same information as other national fellowships. The online application closes November 5.

If you have interned, have been employed or are employed by a government agency or laboratory, ask your mentor/research supervisor to nominate you directly for an NPSC fellowship. Contact NPSC for details.

NPSC offers two programs, each using the same online application

The Traditional NPSC Fellowship provides support for up to six years, depending on degree sought and employer funding. Students may apply during their senior year in college, or in the first year or two of graduate school, as long as they are not eligible for the program below. 

The Dissertation Support Fellowship provides support while a graduate student conducts dissertation research. Students should apply in the year of graduate school prior to the beginning of their dissertation research program, but not before they can describe their intended research in general terms.

For more information, please go to: www.npsc.org.