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Funding Amount

Master's: Minimum $8,000 stipend/year for up to 2 years, full tuition and fees, two paid summer internships; Ph.D.: Minimum $16,000 stipend for 5 years, full tuition and fees, one paid summer internship

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

GEM Fellowship Program

Overview: 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

    • Status: Application currently closed; prospective students encouraged to register as GEM prospects

    How to Apply

    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

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    stem-educationminoritiesbipoc

    Categories

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