Graduate Fellowships at UNH
NHSGC annually awards about two fellowships for graduate study in NASA-related disciplines at UNH. NASA-related disciplines cover a broad spectrum of fields, including: space physics; astrophysics; science education; computer science; engineering; Earth, ocean, atmospheric, or life sciences, which utilize space technology and/or adopt a "planetary" view of the global environment. Past recipients have been enrolled in degree programs in the Departments of Earth Sciences, Physics, Natural Resources, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Engineering.
Download full application packet
About NH Space Grant UNH Graduate Fellowships
- Awards are typically provided on a semester basis. Awards provide stipend and tuition support for full-time Masters or PhD students pursuing a research-based degree in a NASA-related discipline. Students may apply only once for a given semester, but may apply again for future years.
- Applicants must be either currently enrolled or recently admitted to a full-time UNH graduate program.
- Fellowships are restricted to citizens of the United States. If selected, proof of citizenship will be required.
- A goal of the Space Grant Program is to increase participation by women and under-represented minorities in NASA-related fields. We are actively seeking women and (STEM) under-represented minorities applicants.
- Selection is also based on providing a diverse representation of the various NASA-related Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics (STEM) disciplines at UNH.
Application Deadline for Summer Awards: Second Friday in February, 11:59 pm
Selections for Summer Awards will be announced by the end of March.
The New Hampshire Space Grant Consortium typically awards two fellowships per application cycle (pending funding) for research-based graduate study in NASA-related disciplines at the University of New Hampshire. NASA-related disciplines cover a broad spectrum of fields, including (but not exclusively): physics, space physics, astrophysics, science education, computer science, engineering, Earth science, and life sciences which utilize space technology and/or adopt a “planetary” view of the global environment.
Fellowships are sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through the National Space Grant and Fellowship Program, via a grant award to the NHSGC. NASA Space Grant is a cost share program (14 CFR 1260.123). All awards are contingent upon availability of NASA and cost share funding.
Application Process for summer awards:
Applications for Summer Semester must be received by the NHSGC Directorship by the second Friday in February, 11:59pm. For an applicant to be considered, the following application package shall be provided by the student to the Directorship. Only fully-completed applications will be considered.
Applicants shall provide the following:
- Completed application cover form.
- Copy of most recent graduate transcript. If this is the student's incoming/first semester of graduate school, then the most recent undergraduate transcript is acceptable. Transcripts may be unofficial copies but must reflect the most recent applicable semester. Applicants are expected to show a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.
- Project Description. The description shall contain:
- A clear description of the research problem, its goals and methodology (planned for the award period), including background and relevance to previous work
- The direct relationship of the research problem to NASA priorities
- Format: the project description should not exceed three pages, excluding literature citations, single-spaced, 12-point font, 1” margins on all sides.
- A signed letter of recommendation from the UNH faculty advisor who will be mentoring the student's research. The advisor should include any special research circumstances, including any enhanced financial need for student support, and should include any additional relevant information about the student, such as outreach efforts, proposals, publications, mentoring, and other extracurricular and/or related experience. Advisor letter should include graduate student stipend level (1, 2, or 3), and whether funding is requested for full-time, half-time, or hourly (and if hourly, how many estimated hours).
- A statement from the UNH faculty advisor indicating source and amount of non-federal matching funds. This statement may be included within item 4. Match may be in-kind funding. Non-tenure track faculty may request a waiver on the matching fund requirement. Read about UNH cost-sharing
UNH Hamel Center has a page on writing an effective research proposal. While UNH Space Grant doesn't use the review process described in the link, the page may be helpful as a reference.
This application is for only the Summer term.
Submittal of all application materials is the responsibility of the student.
Complete applications shall be submitted as a PDF file to both Toni.Galvin@unh.edu and David.Heirtzler@unh.edu (please note "Space Grant Fellowship Application" in the subject line)
Selection Criteria
Selection is partially based on relevance of the applicant’s interests, background, and planned graduate program to NASA’s research and education priorities and strategic goals. Selection is also based on other factors, such as increasing diversity in STEM disciplines, and the distribution of fellowships across varied STEM disciplines, departments, advisors, and degree programs. Selection is contingent upon fulfillment of the admission requirements of the relevant academic degree program and agreement by the student to participate in a national database and NASA-required longitudinal tracking.
Fellows may be asked to participate in follow-up surveys and questionnaires to help us improve our program.
Awardees shall submit a short report at the end of the award semester as to the status of their research under this fellowship program.
These Fellowships are sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NASA Space Grant is a cost share program (14 CFR 1260.123).