UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

African-American Professors Program

The AAPP program is an initiative sponsored by the University of South Carolina, the W.K. Kellog Foundation, and the South Carolina General Assembly to recruit and prepare African American students to become college and university teachers. It originated in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policies in USC's College of Education.

African American students who are pursuing doctoral degrees and who are interested in becoming college professors are eligible to participate in the program. Preference will be given to students with degrees in disciplines in which there are current shortages of African American professors (e.g., math, science, business).

The program is competitive. Applicants are required to meet admission requirements for Ph.D. programs in their chosen academic disciplines. They must submit copies of transcripts, a writing sample, and personal and professional references. Finalists will be invited for a personal interview.

Financial support is based on the availability of funds in the students' academic program and the African American Professors Program. AAPP will supplement Graduate assistantships and/or tuition provided by the student's academic program. Students who enroll in the program are expected to complete their programs of study within a three-year period (five years are allowed in some disciplines).

Interns are not required to make a commitment to USC, nor does USC make an employment commitment to interns.

USC Contacts

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Minority PhD Program

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's Minority Ph.D. Program-managed by NACME-has two components.

The Ph.D. component offers substantial scholarship support to underrepresented minority students who are beginning their doctoral work in engineering, natural science and mathematics. Since its establishment in 1995, the program has provided direct support to almost 600 minority Ph.D. students in these fields.

The smaller Feeder component offers underrepresented minority B.S. or M.S. students access to select faculty and departments that have demonstrated success in sending their students on to doctoral programs.

External Contacts

We urge you to review the listings provided to locate a contact at the school where you will study. These faculty members will be best poised to answer your questions about your program of study.

If you are a student and, after reviewing this site, have questions about either of Sloan's graduate programs, please contact:

USC Contacts

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) supports training opportunities to help individuals prepare for a career in health services research. AHRQ is particularly interested in fostering the professional development of minority health services researchers.

Health services research affects a wide-range of issues, including consumer education; patient outcomes and effectiveness of care; health care quality; health care for minority, elderly, and other special populations; health care costs and financing; information for health care policymakers; and access to care and health care delivery.

AHRQ supports both pre-doctoral and postdoctoral training through the National Research Service Award (NRSA) program. AHRQ awards NRSA training grants to institutions for pre-doctoral and postdoctoral training and individual NRSA fellowships to applicants who have completed their doctoral degrees. In addition, AHRQ supports dissertation grants for doctoral candidates. Minority candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for these fellowships and grants.

NRSA institutional training grants assist domestic institutions in supporting pre-doctoral and postdoctoral academic training of qualified individuals who have demonstrated an interest in health services research. These training grants are awarded by AHRQ to institutions, not individuals. The awards allow trainees to gain 1 or more years of full-time, supervised experience in applying research methods to the evaluation of health services in preparation for a career in health services research.

Candidates for pre-doctoral training grants must have a baccalaureate degree and be enrolled in a Ph.D. program or a program leading to an equivalent degree. NRSA grants may not be used to support studies leading to an M.D. Candidates for postdoctoral training grants must have a Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., Dr.P.H., Sc.D., D.N.Sc., or other doctoral degree. Tuition benefits are provided, as well as stipends to help trainees defray living expenses during the research training experience.

AHRQ supports, through its small grant program, research undertaken as part of an academic program to qualify for a doctorate. To be eligible for a dissertation grant, you must be enrolled in a doctoral program which requires a dissertation based on original research in disciplines relevant to health services research. All requirements for the doctoral degree-other than the dissertation-must be completed by the time of the award.

Dissertation grant application receipt dates are May 1 and November 15, annually. If you think you may be interested in an AHRQ-supported dissertation grant, you are strongly encouraged to discuss your project with the AHRQ coordinator listed below before applying.

External Contacts

To find out more about the NRSA individual fellowships and training grants sponsored by AHRQ, obtain a list of institutions participating in the training grant program, or get more information about the Agency's dissertation grant program, contact:

American Geological Institute - Minority Participation Program

Since 1972, the American Geological Institute has administered the Minority Participation Program Geoscience Student Scholarships. The goal for this program is to develop the professional corps of underrepresented ethnic-minority students in the geosciences. Recipients of AGI Geoscience Student Scholarships are provided with small financial awards and matched with a mentor from the geoscience community to foster whole professional development of the awardee. Beginning in the 2007-2008 school year, each award will consist of both scholarship support as well as support for professional development experiences for successful candidates. Professional development experiences that qualify include field camp, professional society memberships, and/or travel and registration to a professional meeting of one of AGI's member societies.

QUALIFICATIONS

United States citizens only. Permanent residents(green card) or applicants for U.S citizenship are not eligible.

Verifiable ethnic-minority status as Black, Hispanic, or Native American (American Indian, Eskimo, Hawaiian, or Samoan).

Financial support is for full time students only, who are currently enrolled in an accredited institution as a graduate student majoring (i.e., degree candidate) in geoscience, including the geoscience subdisciplines of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrology, physical oceanography, planetary geology, or earth-science education. This program does not support students in any other area of study.

The program is currently open to all qualified applicants.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Incomplete applications will not be considered. The following application materials must be received at AGI no later than May 11, 2007 in order to be considered:

• fully completed application form;
• official transcripts for all colleges attended (SAT, ACT, and/or GRE scores are requested);
• three (3) letters of recommendation from persons qualified to judge the applicant's recent academic performance and character: geoscience faculty/employers are preferred, other science/mathematics faculty are acceptable.

Current recipients of AGI Minority Geoscience Scholarships must re-apply for renewal of a scholarship. Renewal applications should include completed application, transcripts for their current academic institution, and three (3) letters of recommendation including at least one not included in the previous application. The "statement of purpose" (application, pg.6) should be used to describe current academic progress and plans. Note: Scholarships are not automatically renewed.

All letters of recommendation should be sent directly to AGI Minority Participation Program/4220 King Street/Alexandria, VA 22302.

It is the applicant's responsibility to be sure that all application materials are submitted.

External Contacts

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

The primary objective of the AICPA Fellowships for Minority Doctoral Students is to enable more minorities to enter and move ahead in the accounting profession and academe. Recognizing the fact that professors serve as role models, a second objective is to increase the number of CPA role models who can positively influence the career decisions of a college student. These competitive fellowships are available to minority candidates who have been accepted into a doctoral accounting program. Fellowships of up to $8,000 are awarded once a year to full time minority accounting scholars who show significant potential to become accounting educators. You will be considered for renewals as long as you continue to make satisfactory progress, as a full-time student, toward completion of your degree requirements, up to a total of five years. For the 2006-2007 academic year, fellowships were awarded to 17 individuals pursuing their Ph.D. To date, the program has assisted 60 individuals in successfully completing their doctoral programs.

• Be a minority student who has applied to or has been accepted into an accounting doctoral program.
• Have earned a Masters degree and/or completed a minimum of three years full-time experience in the practice of accounting.
• Be attending or planning to attend school on a full-time basis and, once admitted, work consistently and forthrightly to attain the doctoral degree.
• Agree not to work full time in a paid position or accept responsibility for teaching more than one course per semester as a teaching assistant or, dedicate more than one quarter of the time as a research assistant

External Contacts

American Sociological Association

Through its Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), the American Sociological Association (ASA) supports the development and training of sociologists of color in mental health and drug abuse research. Funded by a training grant sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and co-funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), MFP seeks to attract talented doctoral students to ensure a diverse and highly trained workforce is available to assume leadership roles in research related to the nation's mental health and drug abuse research agendas.

Sociological research and research training focusing on the causes, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders and drug abuse are important areas of emphasis within NIMH and NIDA, which are both part of the National Institute of Health (NIH). Research on core areas of the research missions of NIMH and NIDA include schizophrenia, depression, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, drug abuse and addiction across the life course. In addition, research focusing on stigma associated with mental disorders and drug abuse, compliance to treatment; disparities in access, treatment, and service delivery; assessments of risk and protective factors of mental disorders; and abuse are all relevant to the missions and priorities of the NIMH and NIDA. Sociologists have much to contribute to these research agendas, including basic research on health disparities, the characteristics of service delivery systems that work, and the characteristics of strategies for their successful wide spread implementation.

Additionally, the ASA annually funds at least one General Fellowship supported by generous contributions and donations from ASA members and aligned sociological associations (e.g., Alpha Kappa Delta, the Midwest Sociological Society, Sociologists for Women in Society, the Association of Black Sociologists, and the Southwestern Sociological Association). This fellowship is open to graduate students pursuing a Ph.D. in any area of sociology.

The Minority Fellowship Program, funded by ASA through a large T-32 NIMH and NIDA training grant, is primarily, but not solely, designed for minority students sufficiently advanced in their Ph.D. program to demonstrate their commitment to a research career focusing on topics relevant to NIMH and NIDA research. MFP applicants must be enrolled in Ph.D. programs in sociology that have NIMH and NIDA relevant research programs and/or faculty who are currently engaged in research focusing on areas relevant to NIMH and NIDA. Applicants for the MFP General Fellowship may be in earlier stages in their graduate careers, but must be accepted into a Ph.D. program in sociology at the time the MFP Fellowship begins.

MFP Fellows are selected on the basis of their commitment to research, the focus of their research experience, academic achievement, scholarship, writing ability, research potential, financial need, and racial/ethnic minority background. Specifically, applicants must be members of one of the following racial/ethnic groups: Blacks/African Americans, Latinos/as (e.g., Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans), American Indians or Alaskan Natives, and Asians (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Southeast Asian), or Pacific Islanders (e.g., Hawaiian, Guamanian, Samoan, Filipino). Fellows must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the U.S., or have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence and have in their possession an Alien Registration Card.

Prior to submission, potential applicants for the NIMH and NIDA-funded fellowships may contact the ASA MFP program to discuss their research plans to ensure their research interests are consistent with NIMH and NIDA priorities. (minority.affairs@asanet.org)

External Contacts

ASPH/CDC/PRC Minority Fellowship

The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH), through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Prevention Research Centers (PRC) program, supports fellowship positions for minority doctoral students. The selected fellows conduct research related to the efforts of, and within, CDC-funded Prevention Research Centers.

The overall intent of the program is to enhance the preparation of future public health professionals from ethnic and racial minorities by providing unique training opportunities in prevention research. The support offered through this program will expand minority representation in the public health prevention research workforce and provide fellows an opportunity to gain practical, first-hand experience in prevention research.

Selected applicants have the opportunity to gain practical "hands on" experience through participation in projects under the direction of the PRC's leading experts in public health and prevention research. While participating in this program, fellows are exposed to state-of-the-art prevention research and provided with an opportunity to apply and translate knowledge to real world public health situations.

Under-represented minority students currently enrolled in doctoral level, research-based (e.g. PhD, DrPH, EdD, ScD) training programs at accredited universities or schools of public health with CDC-funded Prevention Research Centers are eligible to apply for this program. Applicants must be granted admission to candidacy (completed coursework and passed qualifying exams) prior to the second year of the program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold a visa permitting permanent residence in the U.S. (i.e., "green card") to be eligible for the fellowship program. Proposed projects must be related to PRC activities and endorsed by PRC Directors.

External Contacts

USC Contacts

Association of American Geographers

The Association offers the Paul Vouras Fund which was established by a generous gift from Dr. Vouras, who taught at William Paterson College in Wayne, New Jersey, until 1990. The fund supports doctoral dissertation research in geography. Preference is given to minority student applications.

Applications: Digital submissions are encouraged. Please submit complete application in an email attachment to grantsawards@aag.org with AAG Dissertation Research Grants as the subject line. Alternately, nine completed applications can be sent to -

Association of American Geographers
attn: AAG Dissertation Research Grants
1710 Sixteenth Street NW
Washington, DC 20009-3198

Your proposal should describe the problem you hope to solve, outline the methods and data you intend to use, and summarize the results you expect. Include budget items within the body of the proposal.

Reports and Acknowledgment: By accepting an AAG Dissertation Grant you agree to submit to the AAG Executive Director a copy of your dissertation and a report that documents expenses charged to the grant. Please acknowledge AAG support in presentations and publications.

External Contacts

The Commonwealth/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy

The Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy is designed to prepare physicians, particularly minority physicians, for leadership roles in formulating and implementing public health policy and practice on a national, state, and/or local level. Under the auspices of the Minority Faculty Development Program at Harvard Medical School, five one-year fellowships will be awarded per year. Fellows will complete academic work leading to a master's level degree and, through additional program activities, gain exposure to, and understanding of, the major health issues facing minority and disadvantaged populations. It is expected that the Fellowship will support the development of a cadre of leaders in minority health, well-trained academically and professionally in public health, health policy, health management, and clinical medicine, as well as committed to pursuing careers in public service.

In addition to the academic work leading to a master degree in public health management, the Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy also incorporates training components beyond it.

• Leadership Forums
• Seminar Series
• Practicum
• Shadowing
• Journal Club
• Site Visits
• Annual Meeting

External Contacts

The Cooper Davis Fellowship

Awarded to a student of an underrepresented group who is pursuing Master's in Library and Information Science degree from the School of Library and Information Science. Interest in academic libraries preferred; must enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours.

USC Contacts

Ford Foundation

The Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships seek to increase the diversity of the nation's college and university faculties by increasing their ethnic and racial diversity, to maximize the educational benefits of diversity, and to increase the number of professors who can and will use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students.

To facilitate this goal the Fellowship grants awards at the Pre-doctoral, Dissertation and, Postdoctoral levels to students who demonstrate excellence, a commitment to diversity and a desire to enter the professoriate.

The Fellowship makes the following annual awards

• Approximately 60 Pre-doctoral Awards at $20,000 per year for up to three years.
• Approximately 35 Dissertation Awards at $21,000 for one year
• Approximately 20 Postdoctoral Awards at $40,000 for one year

Eligibility Requirements

• All citizens or nationals of the United States regardless of race, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
• Individuals with evidence of superior academic achievement
• Individuals committed to a career in teaching and research at the college or university level,
• Individuals enrolled in or planning to enroll in an eligible research-based program leading to a Ph.D. or Sc.D. degree at a U.S. educational institution, and
• Individuals who have not earned a doctoral degree at any time, in any field.

External Contacts

Gayle Lynn Holmes Scholarship

Awarded to an SLIS student from an underrepresented population who plans to specialize in service to children or young adults in public libraries, school library media centers or other settings.

USC Contacts

Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need

This program provides fellowships, through academic departments and programs of IHEs, to assist graduate students with excellent records who demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue the highest degree available in their course study in a field designated as an area of national need.

Grants are awarded to programs and institutions to sustain and enhance the capacity for teaching and research in areas of national need.

Academic departments and programs of IHEs that provide courses of study leading to a graduate degree may apply. Nondegree granting institutions may submit joint proposals with degree-granting IHEs. Students are NOT eligible to apply for this grant.

External Contacts

USC Contacts

Graduate Incentive Scholarship Program
(CHE Access & Equity)

This program is contingent on the fiscal year allocation and disbursement of funds to the University from CHE. The Fellowship Committee of the Graduate Council reviews, evaluates, and recommends to the Dean of the Graduate School to award the fellowship. The final decision rests with the Dean of the Graduate School.

The program is divided into two types of scholarships: recruiting and continuing

The Graduate Incentive Recruiting Scholarships are for the purpose of recruiting new African-American graduate students to the University of South Carolina. Priority is given to African-American graduate students seeking degrees in academic majors with low representation. These recruiting awards are for one year and are not renewable.

2008 Graduate Incentive Recruiting Scholarship Program Nomination form
2008 Graduate Incentive Recruiting Scholarship Student Nomination form


The Graduate Incentive Continuing Scholarships are to aid in the financial need of African-American graduate students currently attending the University of South Carolina. This award (together with the unit match) may be applied to tuition and fees, stipend enhancement, or research related expenses (excluding conference travel).

2008 Graduate Incentive Continuing Scholarship Program Nomination form
2008 Graduate Incentive Recruiting Scholarship Student Nomination form

USC Contact

HSF/McNamara Family Creative Arts Project Grant

In partnership with the McNamara Family Foundation, this program will provide financial resources to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full-time in a creative arts related field -media, film, performing arts, communications, writing, and others- to assist them in beginning and completing an art project. Grants will range from $5,000 to $20,000.

External Contacts

NAACP Scholarships

Application forms and required documents must be postmarked on or before the last Friday in the month of March.

All applications must include the required materials. The UNCF/NAACP will not be responsible for making duplicate copies of applications and/or required materials. If required materials are not included with each separate application, your application will be considered incomplete. All incomplete applications will be disqualified.

A graduate student enrolled or accepted to a master's or doctoral program within a Business school at an accredited college or university in the United States.
Applicant must currently be in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress towards graduate degree.
Applicant must be a full-time student in the top 20% of his/her class.
Applicant need not demonstrate a financial need.
Award $5,00
A typed application is required along with:
Three letters if recommendation (other than relatives). One personal reference, two academic references from the business school (academic letters must be on official letterhead).
Recent official college transcript.
Evidence of full-time enrollment.
One page essay.

External Contacts

The National GEM Consortium

GEM's fellowship programs span the entire recruitment, retention, and professional development spectrum. GEM's principal activity is the provision of graduate fellowships at the MS and Ph.D. levels coupled with paid summer internships. GEM also offers informational publications for graduate and undergraduate students. GEM is devoted to increasing access and success in engineering and science graduate education and practice.

GEM's program activities go beyond financial support by engendering student success in academic and professional environments. GEM has a solid success record in implementing effective programs to increase the recruitment, retention, and graduation of minority students.

GEM provides three Fellowship Programs. More information is provided below for each fellowship:

• MS Engineering
• Ph.D. Engineering
• Ph.D. Science

External Contacts

USC Contacts

The Ph.D. Project

The PhD Project is not a doctoral program in itself, rather a clearinghouse for the knowledge potential students of business doctoral programs will need. Think of us as your "Ph.D. Guidance Counselor."

The PhD Project also provides a link to foundations, scholarships, and other funding opportunities, as well as peer support for the duration of your studies. In 1994, The PhD Project created peer associations to sustain a high level of commitment and a sense of connection among minority business doctoral students. There are now five minority doctoral students associations covering all the major areas of business education: Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, Management, and Marketing.

External Contact

USC Contact

The Political Science Association - Minority Scholar Dissertation Assistance

A number of funding programs specifically offer support to graduate students at the dissertation stage. Below we have listed a number of such programs for minority students. Please be aware that this is not an exhaustive list; you will probably need to do some research on your own in order to find the right program for you. Most require that you finish your dissertation during the award period.

• Consortium for a Strong Minority Presence at Liberal Arts Colleges Dissertation Fellowships

Aims to helps individuals complete final requirements for degree. Scholars receive a stipend and are expected to teach one semester course.

• National Research Council Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowships for Minorities

Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowships for Minorities are one-year fellowships in selected academic fields for doctoral candidates in the final year of dissertation writing. Each fellowship includes a $21,000 stipend for a tenure of no less than 9 months and no more than 12 months, beginning no earlier than June 1, 2004, and no later than September 1, 2004. Approximately 35 Dissertation Fellowships will be awarded.

Open to individuals who are members of the following groups: Alaska Natives (Eskimo or Aleut), Native American Indians, Black/African Americans, Puerto Ricans, Mexican Americans/Chicanas/Chicanos, and Native Pacific Islanders (Polynesian or Micronesian). Only Ph.D. or Sc.D. candidates in U.S. research-based doctoral programs whose studies will lead to careers in teaching and research at the university or college level are eligible. Applicants must have completed all requirements for their degree except for the writing and defense of their dissertation. Applicants must be U.S. citizens by the application deadline of December 3, 2003. Eligible Fields Include: Research-based areas of the social and behavioral sciences, education, engineering, humanities, life sciences, mathematics, and physical sciences. Awards will not be made in practice- based fields such as business, public health, and fine arts.

• Southern Regional Education Board Doctoral Scholars and Dissertation Scholars Programs (SREB) Dissertation Year Fellowships

For doctoral scholars who have reached the dissertation stage, a limited number of single-year fellowships are available. These fellowships are available only to minority scholars who plan to become full-time faculty members upon completion of their doctoral program. Applicants must meet the same eligibility requirements as Doctoral Scholars Program applicants and must have completed all program requirements, including successful defense of the dissertation proposal. Applicants also must be able to devote full time to completing the dissertation. Each Dissertation Year Fellowship recipient receives a one-year stipend of $12,000; a waiver of tuition and fees; a small stipend for research expenses; and expenses associated with the Doctoral Scholars Program annual meeting.

External Contacts

Rama Scholarship for the American Dream

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum eligibility criteria for nominees are: Enrolled at least 9 credit hours for upcoming fall and spring semesters, or just the fall semester if graduating in December. Undergraduate or graduate hospitality management major. (This is the only program which allows graduate students.)

• Have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident.

Scholarship Awards

Award amounts can range from $1,000 to $3,000 depending upon enrollment and recommended amount from school.

External Contacts

USC Contacts

SCLA Scholarship Celebrating Diversity

Full-time SLIS student who demonstrates potential as a library scholar and professional. Strong preference to students planning to work in SC upon graduation. When possible, the scholarship is intended for supplement for student of an underrepresented population who has been awarded the ALA Spectrum Scholarship. Secondary consideration is given to a student of an underrepresented population who is a SC Resident. If no student meets those criteria, it may be awarded to an outstanding SLIS student of need.

USC Contact

South East Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate

This program is designed to be a long-term, comprehensive professional development program to produce underrepresented minority faculty in science and engineering. While the three research institutions will lead this program, our partnerships with the undergraduate institutions in the Florida Georgia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (FGLSAMP), South Carolina Alliance for Minority Participation (SCAMP), the University of the US Virgin Islands, and Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institution (LACCEI) provide a strong foundation for minority involvement and recruitment.

AGEP is not primarily graduate student financial support. It is a total program to ensure the retention and success of the students.

• Retention - advising and intervention
• Professional Development - seminars, teaching experience
• Foster institutional change - participation from the top levels of the university

All minority PhD students are considered members of SEAGEP and are invited to participate in the many programs and support services offered by the alliance. Mentoring, academic support programs, teaching experiences, and travel assistance to professional meetings are program strategies that support students as they move along the path to the doctoral degree. Students are encouraged to form study groups and supportive relationships with the other members of their cohort.

Ten fellowships per year will be selected through a competitive application process. In addition to involvement in the opportunities available to all students, fellowship recipients will receive stipends, tuition waivers, travel assistance, and materials/supplies support. These students will also attend regularly scheduled meetings with program managers in order to monitor student progress and foster a community feeling among group members.

External Contacts

USC Contacts

The SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program

More than one-third of the nation's workers are people of color. So are more than one-fourth of America's college students. But the percentage of racial/ethnic minorities who are faculty in higher education is a small fraction of the total. Nationally, about 5 percent are African-American and about 2 percent are Hispanic.

The Southern Regional Education Board's Doctoral Scholars Program was developed with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Ford Foundation. It is part of a nationwide initiative, the Compact for Faculty Diversity, to produce more minority Ph.D.s and to encourage them to seek faculty positions.

Since its founding in 1993, the Doctoral Scholars Program has supported more than 715 scholars, who attended 83 institutions in 29 states. SREB states share resources, work to expand their minority applicant pool, support qualified candidates with financial assistance for up to five years of graduate study, and assist graduates and higher education institutions in identifying employment opportunities. The program has maintained a retention rate of almost 90 percent, more than 70 percent of its graduates have begun academic careers in higher education and more than 70 percent are employed in SREB states.

External Contacts

UNCF-Merck Science Initiative

The UNCFoMerck Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowships are intended to support African American graduate students as they complete coursework, conduct research, and prepare the dissertation required for the doctoral degree in the biomedically relevant life or physical sciences.

At least 12 Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowship awards will be made in 2006. Each award is up to a maximum of $52,000 and consists of a Fellowship Stipend of up to $42,000 for the award recipient and a research grant of up to $10,000. For administrative purposes, the awards will be made to the institutions with which each award recipient are affiliated. As the awards are intended to be used to support graduate student stipends and research, no part of the awards may be used for indirect costs. Awards begin no earlier than September 1, 2006.

The fellowship stipend of up to $42,000 is intended to cover a minimum of 12 months up to a maximum of 24 months of fellowship tenure. A maximum of $25,000 may be received per 12 month period. All qualifying exams for candidacy for the degree must have been successfully completed before as award can be disbursed. Award recipients will be known as UNCF-Merck Graduate Fellows. Each Fellow will be mentored by a Merck scientist. As part of the award, each Fellow will be expected to make regular contact with his/her Merck mentors. Each Fellow is also expected to present a progress report of his/her research results in the last half of their fellowship tenure at a Merk research facility. The cost of this visit will be underwritten by Merck & Co., Inc. A two-page summary of research results must be submitted to UNCF at the end of the fellowship tenure. Each Fellow is expected to notify UNCF upon receipt of his/her doctorate degree.

A research grant of up to $10,000 will be given to each award recipient. It is intended to support the research of the award recipient; for example, to purchase research supplies, equipment, travel to scientific meetings, etc. Fringe benefits payments, e.g. for health insurance, of up to $5,200 are also allowed. It is preferable that a special account be established by the institution for the Fellow for these purposes. All items purchased become the property of the department the end of the fellowship tenure. Any funds remaining in the Research Grant at the end of the fellowship tenure must be returned to UNCF. However, a proposal may be submitted for the use of these funds to support research in the department. A report of all expenditures is due at the end of the fellowship. The grant may not be used to support tuition, salaries, faculty, or indirect costs.

To be considered for the UNCF-Merck Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowship awards, an applicant must be:

• African American (Black)
• Enrolled in a full-time Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree program majoring in a life or physical science. M.D./Ph.D. degree candidates are eligible
• Engaged in and within 1-3 years of completing dissertation research, having successfully completed all qualifying exams
• A citizen or permanent resident of the United States

A UNCF-Merck Selection Committee, consisting of educators and Merck scientists, will select the awardees. The academic ability and record of accomplishment of the applicant and of the proposed doctoral research plan are the criteria for selection.

External Contacts