EPP Undergraduate Scholarship Program (USP)

PHASE I: Initial 10-Week Internship (May through August)
Objective: To familiarize candidates with NOAA’s mission as carried out by each Line Office and to provide hands on research and operation experience in an area of specialization relevant to the agency’s mission.

During phase one, EPP Undergraduate Scholars will:

• participate in a one week NOAA Student Scholarship Orientation Program to learn more about NOAA’s mission and research program activities from each of NOAA’s Headquarters Line Offices and selected Staff Offices;
• participate in at least one tour of a local NOAA facility to gain a comprehensive overview of that research area;
• participate in NOAA Restoration Day to gain hands-on appreciation of coastal habitat restoration activities while helping to preserve the Chesapeake Bay as a local treasure;
• be assigned to a particular Office in the Washington metropolitan area to gain hands-on experience in operations or research;
• be assigned a scientific mentor who will provide guidance on the advanced research projects, as well as assist the candidates in the selection of appropriate course work related to NOAA’s mission for the duration of the candidate’s participation in the Program;
• identify an operational or research issue related to NOAA’s mission and launch an investigation of the proposed research and prepare for the defense;
• enhance professional development skills through in-house training; and
• present their research in an oral presentation or poster format to a panel of NOAA scientists during a 3-day Science Symposium at the Silver Spring headquarters during the last week of July.

PHASE II: Academic Monitoring (September through May)
Objective: To encourage focus on an area of specialization relevant to the agency’s mission.

During the second Phase, EPP Undergraduate Scholars will:

• maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in their major and cumulatively;
• enroll in specific courses/electives that will enable the candidate to meet the qualification requirements for one of NOAA’s primary occupations; and
• conduct a site visit of a NOAA facility and finalize the selection of an approved summer internship and mentor prior to April 15.

PHASE III: Second 10-Week Summer Internship (May through August)
Objective: To provide hands on research and operational experience related to NOAA’s mission.

During Phase three, EPP Undergraduate Scholars will:

• participate in a research project at a NOAA field facility;
• actively engage in the operations or research of a particular Line Office; and
• present their research in an oral presentation or poster format to a panel of NOAA scientists during a 3-day Science Symposium at the Silver Spring headquarters during the last week of July.