Graduate Fellowships

National Science Foundation GK-12 Fellowships

Connections in the Classroom: Molecules to Muscles (C2M2)

Graduate students in biology, chemistry, biochemistry and polymer science The University of Southern Mississippi are currently working with HS students through a five-year, $2.5 million National Science Foundation (NSF) GK-12 grant. The grant supports an outreach initiative in which the graduate students bring their expertise into high school science classrooms, spending 10 hours a week sharing their research through demonstrations, lab activities and projects.

The goal of Connections in the Classroom: Molecules to Muscles (C2M2) is to enhance graduate fellows’ communication and teaching skills in an interdisciplinary research and education setting. The interdisciplinary research theme “molecules to muscles” is used as a vehicle to increase relevancy of science coursework to High School students by relating research advances in areas important to them (i.e. sports, soldier protection). Fellows will gain the ability to communicate to non-scientific audiences and researchers outside their field through an interdisciplinary team approach.

Research improving human performance transcends the boundaries of individual scientific disciplines and requires seamless communication between biologists, chemists, biochemists, materials scientists and engineers. Eight fellows are recruited each year from individual departments to work with HS science teachers to develop and deliver classroom activities based on fellows’ research.

For more information, go to http://www.usmgk12.org/

 

Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowships

The GAANN in Polymer Science Fellowship Program provides stipend support (up to $30K depending on financial need) and an education allowance for Polymer Science graduate students who have an interest in academia as a career goal.  Currently, we have five (5) graduate students serving tenure as GAANN fellows.  The application process and eligibly requirements are listed below. 

GAANN Fellow Selection Criteria

In order to be considered for the SPHM GAANN, students must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident;
  • Demonstrate high degree of Financial Need;
  • Demonstrate Superior Academic Ability and have an excellent academic record;
  • Plan to pursue the highest degree available in their course of study;
  • Preference given to those students who are interested in academia as a career track
  • Agree to participate in ALL GAANN related requirements

To remain eligible, a fellow must:

  • Agree to participate in ALL GAANN related requirements
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress;
  • Devote full-time to studying or research; and
  • Not engage in full-time employment, except on a part-time basis in teaching, researching, or other similar activities.

To Apply for the GAANN Fellowship:

For more information about GAANN Fellowships, contact Dr. Derek Patton at 601-266-4229 or by email at derek.patton@usm.edu.

 

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Education Fellowships

This nationally competitive fellowship provides three years of financial support for beginning graduate study leading to a research-based degree in biological sciences, computer sciences, chemistry, engineering, geosciences, information science, social sciences, life sciences, mathematics, psychology, physics & astronomy, or STEM Education. The $30,000-per-year fellowships are intended for seniors who will begin graduate study the following fall, or early stage graduate students. Awards include a cost-of-education allowance. About 2000 of these highly competitive fellowships are offered annually. Must be a US citizen, national, or permanent resident alien. Learn more at the NSFGREF website.

Click here to learn how to apply for the NSFGREF.