The Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (SIGP) Scholarship Program Grant

The Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (SIGP) Scholarship Program, funded by the A.P. Sloan Foundation, aims to support Indigenous graduate students in STEM fields. This program, a collaboration among the Montana University System institutions, offers scholarships, professional development, and networking opportunities to enhance the academic journey of Indigenous students. With awards of $20,000 for M.S. and $40,000 for Ph.D. candidates, the SIGP seeks to increase the number of Indigenous scholars earning advanced degrees in science and engineering.

About The Graduate School
Vision: The Graduate School strives to foster an environment that produces outstanding graduate scholars who contribute new ideas and knowledge using creative and innovative approaches to solve challenges in an evolving world.
Mission: The Graduate School enriches the graduate student experience by providing excellent service, timely oversight, and relentless advocacy for student success.
The Montana University System (MUS) SIGP Program
The Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (SIGP) is a scholarship program funded by the A.P. Sloan Foundation since 2003 to support Indigenous (Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and original peoples of Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands with U.S. Citizenship) graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) with the intent of increasing the number of Indigenous Americans earning master’s and doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines. The MUS system - University of Montana (UM), Montana State University (MSU), and Montana Tech (MTech) partner on this Sloan grant.
The overall goal of the SIGP program is to strengthen and expand university initiatives to recruit, retain, and graduate American Indian and Alaska Native students in STEM master’s and doctoral programs. SIGP supports American Indian and Native Alaska students in the form of scholarships, professional development, and community/networking support.
At MSU, the SIGP program has attracted an extraordinary group of Indigenous American graduate students who are pursuing degrees in the natural and physical sciences and engineering. Among our students, research has ranged from water quality, chemical contamination, data mining, invasive plants, buffalo, rural healthcare, food preservation to other areas close to the heart of Indigenous peoples.
We believe you will see that the SIGP program can offer you a unique opportunity to earn your graduate degree. Not only will you be given the opportunity for financial support, you will also have access to top faculty here on campus and the chance to connect with other Indigenous Americans pursuing graduate degrees.
SIGP Financial Support
The SIGP program provides funding to selected graduate students on a competitive basis. The Sloan awards are a supplement to the assistantship or fellowship funding a Scholar receives from their program. The M.S. SIGP awards are $20,000 total and the Ph.D. SIGP awards are $40,000 total. A student can apply for an M.S. award and then apply separately for a Ph.D. award upon completion of the M.S. degree.

Eligibility

If you are an Indigenous American who is interested in a graduate degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM), we are very interested in talking with you. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and should provide evidence of enrollment in a federally or state recognized tribe. In the absence of such verification, the applicant must provide a written statement explaining her or his connection to a tribe or indigenous community. Applications from U.S. citizens who belong to tribes in Mexico or Canada will be considered.