national physical science consortium (graduate fellowships in the physical sciences)

Selection Requirements

Selection Process

Selection is a two-step process. First, NPSC's Academic Screening Committee ranks applicants on the basis of their estimate of the likelihood that the applicant will earn a Ph.D. degree with distinction. The following factors, not in order, enter into the ASC's deliberations:

Academic standing (GPA).
Course work taken in preparation for graduate school.
Research experience at University and/or Industry.
Letters of recommendation from professors and employers. The most effective letters are from someone who has supervised or observed the applicant's participation in research.
The GRE General tests are required; the Subject test is suggested and may be required by your university.

Next, employers review the pool of applicants recommended by the ASC and advise NPSC of which students, if any, the employer wishes to support. NPSC then makes the award. Note that employers may use criteria such as research specialty in addition to academic merit.

Eligibility Requirements:

NPSC welcomes applications from all qualified applicants who are U.S. citizens as of the NPSC Deadline Date for the year of application. See the section on eligibility on the information page.

Ineligible:

Non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents
Persons who already possess a doctoral degree in any field

Conditions of The Award:

Applicants must be accepted at a participating NPSC-member, Ph.D. granting university or college and progress through a full-time study program leading to a graduate degree in the physical sciences or related engineering fields.
Fellows must complete two summer internships with their sponsoring employer.
To continue in good standing, Fellows must submit a transcript annually as well as any forms and information that NPSC requests.
Fellows must perform satisfactorily in their summer internship and during the academic year.
A Fellow who switches his or her field of study to one not of interest to the sponsoring employer may have support terminated.

The following employers have additional stipulations:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory - You must make a good faith effort to conduct collaborative research for your graduate program which involves both your LLNL mentor and your graduate thesis advisor. Metrics for this collaboration include joint publications, research done at LLNL and frequent visits to LLNL. You should plan your course work and research direction with your university department and LLNL as a team effort.
National Security Agency (NSA) - Requires Fellow to pass a background investigation.
Sandia National Laboratories/CA - Requires Fellow to successfully pass a background investigation conducted through SNL/CA, and there is an optional 1-year post-doctoral research position which will be agreed upon by SNL/CA and the fellow.
Sandia National Laboratories/NM - Requires Fellow to successfully pass a background investigation conducted through SNL/NM. Upon graduation and mutual agreement, the sponsored Fellow will be considered for a 1-year post-doctoral research position or full-time employment.


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Fellowship Information Disciplines Unique Features Featured Fellows FAQ Selection Requirements Apply Now! Additional Resources	Selection Requirements Selection Process Selection is a two-step process. First, NPSC's Academic Screening Committee ranks applicants on the basis of their estimate of the likelihood that the applicant will earn a Ph.D. degree with distinction. The following factors, not in order, enter into the ASC's deliberations: Academic standing (GPA). Course work taken in preparation for graduate school. Research experience at University and/or Industry. Letters of recommendation from professors and employers. The most effective letters are from someone who has supervised or observed the applicant's participation in research. The GRE General tests are required; the Subject test is suggested and may be required by your university. Next, employers review the pool of applicants recommended by the ASC and advise NPSC of which students, if any, the employer wishes to support. NPSC then makes the award. Note that employers may use criteria such as research specialty in addition to academic merit. Eligibility Requirements: NPSC welcomes applications from all qualified applicants who are U.S. citizens as of the NPSC Deadline Date for the year of application. See the section on eligibility on the information page. Ineligible: Non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents Persons who already possess a doctoral degree in any field Conditions of The Award: Applicants must be accepted at a participating NPSC-member, Ph.D. granting university or college and progress through a full-time study program leading to a graduate degree in the physical sciences or related engineering fields. Fellows must complete two summer internships with their sponsoring employer. To continue in good standing, Fellows must submit a transcript annually as well as any forms and information that NPSC requests. Fellows must perform satisfactorily in their summer internship and during the academic year. A Fellow who switches his or her field of study to one not of interest to the sponsoring employer may have support terminated. The following employers have additional stipulations: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory - You must make a good faith effort to conduct collaborative research for your graduate program which involves both your LLNL mentor and your graduate thesis advisor. Metrics for this collaboration include joint publications, research done at LLNL and frequent visits to LLNL. You should plan your course work and research direction with your university department and LLNL as a team effort. National Security Agency (NSA) - Requires Fellow to pass a background investigation. Sandia National Laboratories/CA - Requires Fellow to successfully pass a background investigation conducted through SNL/CA, and there is an optional 1-year post-doctoral research position which will be agreed upon by SNL/CA and the fellow. Sandia National Laboratories/NM - Requires Fellow to successfully pass a background investigation conducted through SNL/NM. Upon graduation and mutual agreement, the sponsored Fellow will be considered for a 1-year post-doctoral research position or full-time employment. © Copyright 2004, National Physical Science Consortium.