GEM Fellowship Program

The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees (GEM) Fellowship is a major fellowship program supporting high-performing graduate students pursuing master's and doctoral degrees in STEM fields.

Geographic Scope: United States (based in Alexandria, VA)

Focus Areas:

• Engineering
• Science (including computing, data, information sciences; life and health sciences; physical, earth, and energy sciences; interdisciplinary studies)

Target Population:

• Underrepresented groups in STEM: African Americans, American Indians, and Hispanic Americans
• High-performing students pursuing master's and doctoral degrees

Funding Details:

• Master's Level: Minimum $8,000 stipend per year for up to 2 years, full tuition and fees, two paid summer internships with GEM employer/sponsor
• Doctoral Level: Minimum $16,000 stipend for five years, full tuition and fees, one paid summer internship with GEM employer/sponsor

Key Benefits:

• More than just funding; pairs students with universities and employers
• Does not bind fellows to work for sponsoring employer after graduation
• Access to annual GEM Conference with Future Faculty and Professional (FFP) workshop track
• Recruitment opportunities from GEM Universities and Employers
• Fellowship selection is made by GEM Employers or GEM Universities (not solely by GEM)

Eligibility & Competitiveness:

• Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee fellowship
• Very competitive; many applicants exceed listed requirements
• High GPA and high GRE scores are important but not sole determining factors
• GEM Employer or University must select the fellow for award
• Open to current industry professionals planning to enter graduate school

What They Support:

• Master's degrees in STEM
• Doctoral degrees in STEM
• Summer internship placements

Contact Information:

• Address: 1430 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
• Phone: +1 (703) 562-3646
• Email: [contact information provided on website]
• Fax: +1 (202) 207-3518

Application Process

Note: GEM application is currently closed. Prospective students should become GEM prospects.

Key Application Components:

1. GRE scores
2. Personal statement(s)
3. Letters of recommendation (typically 3 main letters from people with Ph.D./M.D.)
4. Graduate school selection and information
5. Application materials specific to GEM Employers and Universities

Application Timeline Recommendations:

• Summer before senior year/application cycle: Begin GRE preparation, draft personal statements, research schools and fellowships, contact recommenders
• Fall: Finalize GRE scores (recommended 1-3 weeks before semester start), submit applications
• Deadline: Historically November 15 (based on 2014 example, but verify current year)

Personal Statement Guidance:

• Start writing in summer for multiple revisions
• Get 3+ proofreaders: one in your field/in graduate school, one who completed graduate school, one strong writer
• Expect substantial revisions across multiple iterations
• Tailor statements to specific schools with minor modifications
• Use writing lab or career resource center for feedback

Letters of Recommendation:

• Seek letters from established individuals with Ph.D./M.D.
• Recommenders should write personal letters, not generic templates
• Provide recommenders with: deadline highlight sheet, fellowship description and attributes, your classes/research with grades, resume, draft bio/personal statements, transcripts, GRE scores
• Reach out during summer to give recommenders adequate time
• One supporting letter acceptable from manager/community leader without Ph.D. in addition to 3 main letters

Application Strategy:

• Leverage network: contact GEM Employer representatives if you have internship/work experience with them
• Attend professional conferences (AISES, NSBE, SHIPE, etc.) to meet GEM representatives
• Establish relationships with company/university representatives early
• Remember: GEM Employer or University selects the fellow, not solely GEM

Additional Preparation:

• Research potential graduate schools and GEM member universities
• Identify GEM member employers of interest
• Compile list of schools and fellowships with deadlines
• Plan for application fees; GEM Fellowship may provide fee waivers
• Check for additional fee waivers through programs like LSAMP, McNair, MARC if eligible