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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What types of universities participate?

Why do universities become NPSC Members?

Who are the potential Fellows?

What is the commitment of participating universities?

Do universities pay a membership fee to participate in the NPSC program?

Do NPSC Fellows receive any special consideration during the university admissions process?

How does the process work?

Can an NPSC Fellow participate in teaching and research assistantships?

Does the NPSC provide access to a list of all students who apply to NPSC?

What types of universities participate?

Largely Carnegie Research Extensive and Research Intensive universities. Click here to view a current list of NPSC University Members.

Why do universities become NPSC Members?

Membership provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships with industry and research laboratories, to increase student diversity and quality, and to strengthen mentorship and financial-support systems.

Who are the potential Fellows?

Potential NPSC Fellows are top students in the physical sciences from universities throughout the nation. The program places special emphasis on recruiting historically underrepresented minority and female students in the physical sciences and engineering.

What is the commitment of participating universities?

NPSC university members who accept NPSC Fellows agree to waive tuition and fees for up to six years.

Do universities pay a membership fee to participate in the NPSC program?

No. A university's commitment is to the student who receives an NPSC fellowship by providing tuition and fees for up to six years. Member universities also provide year-round mentoring support for NPSC Fellows.

Do NPSC Fellows receive any special consideration during the university admissions process?

No. An NPSC member university processes and reviews each student application using its own criteria.

How does the process work?

Using brochures, posters, presentations, this web site, etc., NPSC publicizes the program and recruits applicants from leading universities nationwide.
Students submit their applications to the NPSC between August and November, where they are screened by a team of graduate school professors to ensure that they meet the basic eligibility requirements.
Early in the calendar year, NPSC member employers review student applications and select the students whom they wish to sponsor as NPSC Fellows.
Applicants are notified in mid-March.
At the start of the fellowship, the employer pays its annual sponsorship directly to NPSC who then transmit the payment to the financial point of contact at each university.

Can an NPSC Fellow participate in teaching and research assistantships?

Yes, although NPSC Fellows should have sufficient time for their studies and research. Click here to see our specific recommendations regarding teaching and research assistantships.

Does the NPSC provide access to a list of all students who apply to NPSC?

Yes. NPSC University Members can purchase the list for an annual fee. After September 1, university members may contact NPSC at (800) 854-NPSC or at npschq@npsc.org to place an order for the applicant list. It will begin to be available on November 1.


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Fellowship Information Unique Features Featured Fellows FAQ University Commitment Signatory Institutions Join The Consortium	Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What types of universities participate? Why do universities become NPSC Members? Who are the potential Fellows? What is the commitment of participating universities? Do universities pay a membership fee to participate in the NPSC program? Do NPSC Fellows receive any special consideration during the university admissions process? How does the process work? Can an NPSC Fellow participate in teaching and research assistantships? Does the NPSC provide access to a list of all students who apply to NPSC? What types of universities participate? Largely Carnegie Research Extensive and Research Intensive universities. Click here to view a current list of NPSC University Members. Why do universities become NPSC Members? Membership provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships with industry and research laboratories, to increase student diversity and quality, and to strengthen mentorship and financial-support systems. Who are the potential Fellows? Potential NPSC Fellows are top students in the physical sciences from universities throughout the nation. The program places special emphasis on recruiting historically underrepresented minority and female students in the physical sciences and engineering. What is the commitment of participating universities? NPSC university members who accept NPSC Fellows agree to waive tuition and fees for up to six years. Do universities pay a membership fee to participate in the NPSC program? No. A university's commitment is to the student who receives an NPSC fellowship by providing tuition and fees for up to six years. Member universities also provide year-round mentoring support for NPSC Fellows. Do NPSC Fellows receive any special consideration during the university admissions process? No. An NPSC member university processes and reviews each student application using its own criteria. How does the process work? Using brochures, posters, presentations, this web site, etc., NPSC publicizes the program and recruits applicants from leading universities nationwide. Students submit their applications to the NPSC between August and November, where they are screened by a team of graduate school professors to ensure that they meet the basic eligibility requirements. Early in the calendar year, NPSC member employers review student applications and select the students whom they wish to sponsor as NPSC Fellows. Applicants are notified in mid-March. At the start of the fellowship, the employer pays its annual sponsorship directly to NPSC who then transmit the payment to the financial point of contact at each university. Can an NPSC Fellow participate in teaching and research assistantships? Yes, although NPSC Fellows should have sufficient time for their studies and research. Click here to see our specific recommendations regarding teaching and research assistantships. Does the NPSC provide access to a list of all students who apply to NPSC? Yes. NPSC University Members can purchase the list for an annual fee. After September 1, university members may contact NPSC at (800) 854-NPSC or at npschq@npsc.org to place an order for the applicant list. It will begin to be available on November 1. © Copyright 2004, National Physical Science Consortium.