Undergraduate Scholar Alyssa Wilson (Florida A&M University) studied educational and outreach efforts in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Education, EPP Undergraduate Scholarship will provide an opportunity for undergraduate students to study in a wide range of science, engineering, mathematical, computer, technological, and pre-college science teacher education disciplines related to the NOAA’s mission and objectives. Appointments will, typically, be made to rising juniors or 4th year seniors in a 5-year program, attending accredited Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) within the United States and U.S. territories. The scholarship will be for two years of undergraduate study in fields related to NOAA’s mission critical sciences. In addition, the scholars will be required to participate in two internships at approved NOAA offices and sites during the summer prior to their senior year. During the internships, the student scholars will be provided opportunities for hands-on research and participation at NOAA sites. The scholars will receive financial assistance during the academic years and a weekly stipend and housing allowance during the summer internships.
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The NOAA Undergraduate Scholarship is designed to meet the following objectives.
1. The EPP Undergraduate Scholarship Program will enhance the pipeline of high quality, diverse students in fields of science, engineering, mathematics, and technology for the future U.S. workforce. The program will strongly recruit high quality, students from
Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) throughout the United States.
2. More specifically, the EPP Undergraduate Scholarship Program will enhance the number and diversity of students with education and experience related to NOAA mission and objectives. The program will provide opportunities for the Scholars to: become familiar with NOAA’s various offices and sites; become familiar with NOAA scientific and technological programs; enhance their professional development in science, mathematics and engineering areas related to NOAA’s mission; continue their education in their NOAA-related field of study; and become trained as scientists, engineers, and other technical personnel for potential employment in fields related to NOAA's mission and goals. A unique aspect of this program is that it will challenge the students to expand beyond the broad academic foundation provided by their institution and focus on research or operational issues consistent with NOAA’s mission.
3. The EPP Undergraduate Scholarship Program will also promote research collaborations between NOAA and academic community. These research collaborations will link NOAA's scientific and technological capabilities to those in the academic community and enhance the educational base for NOAA-related fields of study. By supporting Scholars in this program, NOAA will increase the number of undergraduate students actively engaged in NOAA-related areas of study which will enhance the educational programs in these areas offered by academic institutions. After the summer internships, when the scholars return to campus, their interactions with faculty and other students will help transfer knowledge and technology from NOAA to the academic community. This will support the national capability in, and commitment to, educational programs related to NOAA’s missions and goals.
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Academic Year: Appointments as an EPP scholar involve full-time study during the 9-month academic year, a full-time commitment to an internship position during the summer at a NOAA host facility, and, if reappointed, full-time study during a second 9-month academic year and a second summer internship. The Scholar will receive financial assistance during the academic year.
Internship: The internship provides “hands-on” research experiences involving Scholars in NOAA scientific and technological activities. A Scholar is appointed as an intern to a particular NOAA host facility and is given a specific assignment under a mentor appointed by the office or site. The assignment may be broad, but should be a definable project with a beginning and an ending. The mentor is responsible for providing guidance and assistance to the participant on the project and may serve as the participant's supervisor. The Scholar will receive a bi-weekly stipend and housing allowance during the internship.
The interns are not considered to be performing a job or doing work, rendering advisory or personal services, or providing expert advice. There is no commitment to future employment by the host organization or others. The interns are participating in the sponsor's programs primarily for the experience and educational benefits they derive.
The EPP Scholar must be in residence at the approved NOAA facility during the entire period of the internship appointment. The Scholar’s internship participation must be conducted in a manner, and according to, a time schedule that meets the overall requirements of the sponsor. The interns are expected to be at the host facility during normal working hours and at all times observe and conform to all applicable rules, regulations, and requirements of the facility including, but not limited to, those respecting environment, safety, and health (ES&H) and ES&H training requirements, security, operating and health physics procedures, drug free work place notification requirements, and conduct.
Eligibility: An applicant for the EPP Undergraduate Scholarship Program must be a U.S. citizen enrolled full-time at an accredited MSI within the United States or U.S. territory. The applicant must be majoring in a field of study related to NOAA’s missions and goals. Applicants must have and maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and per academic term on a 4.0 scale in all completed undergraduate courses and in their major field of study. To be eligible, selected applicants must be entering their junior class or 4th year senior in a 5-year bachelor’s degree program in the fall term immediately following selection in the program. Current community-college students may apply if they will transfer to a 4-year institution in the fall term following the application period, and have sufficient credit hours transferred to place them in the junior class academic status.
This is an equal opportunity program open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era.
Benefits: The EPP Scholars will receive financial assistance during 9-month academic year to help meet their college costs. The amount of financial assistance will be decided in cooperation with, and approved by, NOAA. The budget example included in this proposal uses $8,000 per academic year. This assistance will be prorated and provided to the student in the form of a stipend at the beginning of each term.
During the summer internship the student will receive a bi-weekly stipend and housing allowance plus payment for in-bound and out-bound travel to the internship site. The internship stipend, housing allowance, and travel reimbursements will be decided in cooperation with, and approved by, NOAA. The budget example included in this proposal uses $650 per week stipend for a 10-week summer internship, a housing allowance of $137.50 per week, and payment for round trip transportation to the internship site.
In addition, the EPP Scholars may receive travel payments to attend NOAA or NOAA approved conferences or professional-related technical meetings during the academic year or during the internship. Also, the Scholars are required to attend a NOAA Student Scholarship Program conference at the end of their summer internships where they provide posters or PowerPoint presentations about their summer project. The Scholars will be paid for the travel cost of attending this conference.
During the internship, participants do not earn sick leave or annual leave time; although, the host facility can permit occasional absences without reduction of the stipend payment or termination of the appointment. Stipends are reported to the Internal Revenue Service as scholarship awards and no federal income taxes are withheld.
Appointment Period: Appointments will be for one year (the 9-month academic term and summer internship) and renewable for one additional 9-month academic year and summer internship) based on satisfactory progress toward degree completion, remaining in a major field of study related to NOAA objectives, maintaining a cumulative 3.0 GPA and per academic term and in their major field, and availability of NOAA funds. Summer internship appointments will typically be for a 10 week period. Internship appointments are subject to the availability of funds and student performance, and may be terminated if the conditions of the appointment are not met.
Students selected for the EPP scholarship awards will be required to maintain communication with NOAA and the NOAA support contractor during the academic year and during their summer internship. The NOAA support contractor will provide status reports on a periodic basis to NOAA through the academic year and summer internship assignment. These requirements help assure that participants are still engaged in formal education and that the experience will enhance the personal education and skills of the individuals. In addition, the Scholars will be required to prepare a report based on their internship experience. These reports assist in evaluating the success of the Scholarship Program as well as demonstrate the experience, education, and skills of the individual Scholars.
Application Procedure: A student interested in the EPP Undergraduate Scholarship will submit a NOAA Undergraduate Scholarship Program application through the on-line web-based application. NOAA will provide interested students with program information and answer questions about the program. The completed application and supporting materials, including required references, must be submitted directly through the on-line system. The official transcript must be mailed to EPP Undergraduate Scholarship Program, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 10703, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 by the application deadline.
Applications are received, processed, and reviewed for eligibility and completeness. Applications for all eligible candidates are reviewed and evaluated through a merit review process which includes qualified scientific and academic personnel who are knowledgeable about the areas of study related to NOAA’s mission.
Conditions and Obligations of Awardees: All contingencies of an appointment offer must be met before an awardee can begin a NOAA Scholarship appointment. For example, if an award is offered to a candidate who has indicated he/she will have junior status during program participation, the college must present acceptable evidence that the candidate has attained this status and is a full-time student in an approved field of study.
Participants will be required to show proof of health/medical insurance during the internship periods.
Appointments involve a full-time commitment to their accredited education institution and during their internship appointment at the host office or site and the participant must be in residence at the approved office or site during the internship portions of the appointment. The appointee's internship participation must be conducted in a manner and according to a time schedule that meets the overall requirements of the sponsor.
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