Welcome! The EPP Undergraduate Scholarship Program is in its ninth year of awarding scholarships. To date NOAA has awarded 126 EPP Undergraduate Scholarship recipients with awards totaling approximately $36,000 each. The two year scholarship is designed to increase the number of students who undertake course work and graduate with degrees in specific scientific areas or fields integral to NOAA's mission critical science. Undergraduate college students receive training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, mathematics, and engineering and foster multidisciplinary training. Students participate in headquarters orientation where they learn about the programmatic and research objectives and potential career opportunities within NOAA Line, Staff, and Program Offices.
Each year, approximately 15 two-year scholarships are awarded to eligible college sophomores who will be entering their junior year and have matriculated in the natural and/or physical science, and engineering fields, depending on final funding appropriations. The EPP Undergraduate Scholarship Program provides competitively selected undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to $8,000) for full-time study during each 9-month academic year and two 10-week, full-time internship positions ($650/week) during the summer at a NOAA facility. The internships prior to the scholar's senior year of award provides "hands-on research experience" in NOAA-related scientific, research, technological, and policy activities. Awards also include a housing subsidy ($137.50/week) for scholars who do not reside at home during the summer internships and travel expenses for attendance and participation at a mandatory Student Scholarship Orientation Program, conference travel, and an end of summer internship presentation program.
As an applicant for the EPP Undergraduate Scholarship Program you will complete the application online using a PC or Mac. The Online Application will enable the applicant to check their eligibility and fill out the application in only one session. Prior to starting the application process, download the sample application below and instructions because there are essays and other information that must be completed during the online session. When you have completed the online application, you will have only one opportunity to modify the application responses, verify the responses, and to print a final copy of your application submission. The Application Instructions will help you with the logistics of this process. All work on the online portions of the application must be completed by 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on February 17, 2010. We expect that the application process will be smooth if you print the Application Form in advance and prepare your responses. Should you have technical questions or questions about the scholarship itself, please e-mail StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov.
Please note that the entire application packet including two Reference Forms and Official Transcript(s) must be received in the Office of Education, EPP Undergraduate Scholarship Program offices or at StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov by 5:00 p.m. (EDT) February 17, 2010.
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ABOUT THE EPP UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The EPP Undergraduate Scholarship Program offers scholarship opportunities for rising junior year students attending minority serving institutions who are majoring in disciplines (i.e., atmospheric science, biology, cartography, chemistry, computer science, engineering, environmental science, geodesy, geography, marine science, mathematics, meteorology, photogrammetry, physical science, physics and remote sensing technology) relating to NOAA's mission. Competitive two year appointments will be awarded to students attending MSIs to facilitate hands-on research experience at approved NOAA offices and facilities.
STUDENT'S ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Students must be:
- U.S. citizenship;
- full-time students;
- enrolled or plan to matriculate into the 3rd year of a 4-year degree program or 4th year of a 5-year degree program;
- attending an accredited MSI within the United States or U.S. Territories; minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent on other identified scale) per term and cumulatively in all completed undergraduate courses; and
- majoring in NOAA-related disciplines including, but not limited to, oceanic, environmental, and atmospheric sciences, mathematics, engineering, remote sensing technology, physical and social sciences including, geography, physics, hydrology, or geomatics, that support NOAA's programs and mission;
MANDATORY PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The EPP Undergraduate scholars:
- must travel to the mandatory NOAA Orientation Training Program in Silver Spring, Maryland, the last week of May;
- complete an evaluation of the Orientation Training Program;
- participate in two mandatory 10-week mentor-directed summer internships at NOAA research facilities conducting research and development activities while earning $650.00 per week and a housing allowance;
- spend the first summer at NOAA Offices in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The scholars will be housed in a complex in close proximity to the NOAA campus in Silver Spring, Maryland.
- are required to complete a Research Project Description Plan, submit bi-weekly Status Reports, complete a bi-weekly Research Training Report, and an evaluation of the program;
- present their summer project in Silver Spring, Maryland, during the last week of July; and
- maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average each term and cumulative while attending an accredited MSI within the U.S. or U.S. Territories.
THE SUMMER INTERNSHIP
It is a program requirement for all scholarship recipients to participate in two summer internships prior to the start of their senior year. Failure to participate in a summer internship will result in termination from the program.
Scholarship recipients are required to select an internship at a NOAA office or facility during each 10-week summer period. All scholars are required to participate in a project that can be completed within 10 weeks. Scholars will receive a bi-weekly stipend payment for a maximum of 10 weeks each summer. Scholars who report to their internship early or stay past 10 weeks will not receive a bi-weekly stipend payment beyond the 10-week time period. The NOAA scholar is required to e-mail the NOAA mentor their resume or curriculum vitae prior to the site visit.
All summer internships begin the last week of May and end the first week of August for scholars attending colleges and universities on the semester systems. Exceptions are granted for scholars attending colleges and universities on the quarter system, who will be allowed to begin their internships mid-June and end by mid-August. Scholars are required to complete a Project Plan during the first two weeks of the summer internship and submit the signed plan to the NOAA program staff. Bi-weekly Research Training Reports are to be submitted to the NOAA Student Scholarship Program staff.
NOAA mentors are required to conduct a mid-term assessment during the scholar's 5th week of the summer internship and a final evaluation at the end of the summer internship.
NOAA will not approve or pay the cost for a scholar to rent a car during the summer internship. NOAA recommends that scholars select a summer internship site where there is accessible public transportation if they do not own a car.
SELECTING A SUMMER INTERNSHIP
The First Summer: The NOAA Student Scholarship Program distributes an electronic file with summer internship opportunities located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area at the start of the first summer during the Orientation Training Program. It is the student's responsibility to contact the NOAA mentor to discuss a summer project and to select an internship opportunity of interest by Wednesday of the following week. If the scholar and the mentor are in agreement, the scholar reports to the NOAA Student Scholarship Program office by the end of the second week.
The Second Summer: During the fall the NOAA Student Scholarship Program will e-mail scholars the NOAA summer internship opportunities located nationwide. Scholars are to select internships of interest and contact the NOAA mentor to discuss the project. The program requires that the scholar, in their 2nd year of the program, travel during their winter semester break to an approved NOAA site to further discuss a summer project. The site visit (not to exceed three days) provides the scholar with the opportunity to meet with the NOAA scientist and further discuss the research project of interest to both NOAA and the scholar. The scholar is also allowed time to seek housing for the summer internship during the site visit. Scholars must obtain a Site Visit Form from the NOAA support contractor, and submit a completed form to the NOAA support contractor. The scholar begins the second 10-week summer internship the last week of May.
SCHOLARSHIP PAYMENTS
Scholars receive financial assistance for tuition and fee costs of $8,000 each year for two academic years and $15,750 in scholarship payments and housing subsidy over two summers. Payments are deposited directly into the scholar's bank or financial institution accounts. At the start of the fall and spring semester the scholar will receive $4,000 as financial assistance each year they participate in the program. Scholars must meet the minimum 3.0 grade point average each term and cumulatively, and full-time student status requirements. Upon the completion of each academic term; an official transcript must be provided to the NOAA support contractor. Funds will not be released and termination will result if the GPA requirement is not met.
FINAL WEEK OF PRESENTATIONS
The program requires that every scholar attend the Roundtable Discussion and give an oral or poster presentation of their summer research project at NOAA Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, during the 10th week of the summer internship.
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THE EPP UNDERGRADUATE APPLICATION SELECTION PROCESS
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Submit completed application online no later than February 17, 2010, by 5:00 p.m. (EST). Two References from professors must be completed online by the professors and received by the application deadline, February 17, 2010. Official Transcripts from each college and university attended must be received by February 17, 2010, at the EPP Undergraduate Scholarship, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 10703, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.
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| Application Period |
October 1, 2009 thru February 17, 2010 |
| Application review process completed |
March 26, 2010 |
| Notification of scholarship recipients |
April 2, 2010 |
| Scholars receive Internship information |
April 15, 2010 |
| Scholars travel to Silver Spring, MD for orientation and internship |
May 31 - August 6, 2010 |
| Deadline for Scholars to select Mentors |
June 11, 2010 |
| Summer internship begins |
June 14, 2010 |
| Mentor's Mid-term review |
July 9, 2010 |
| Presentation Week |
August 3 - 6, 2010 |
| September 2010 (1st Semester) |
Disbursement of Scholarship award |
| 2nd Summer Internship Site Visit |
October 2010 - March 2011 |
| January 2011 (2nd Semester) |
Disbursement of Scholarship award |
| 2nd Summer internship begins |
June 2, 2011 |
| Mid-term review |
June 29, 2011 |
| Presentation Week |
August 2 - 7, 2011 |
| September 2011 |
Disbursement of Scholarship award |
| January 2012 |
Disbursement of Scholarship award |
| May 2012 |
Completion of the Program or upon graduation |
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