On March 13, 1969, the crew manning NASA’s Apollo 9 returned to Earth after a 10-day orbital mission and the first successful manned flight of a Lunar Module. Nearly 50 years later, NASA continues to fund space grant consortium programs in every U.S. state to promote space exploration.
Applications for the Mississippi Space Grant Consortium are due this Friday.
According to its mission statement, the Mississippi Space Grant Consortium not only enhances and furthers the study, development and practice of aerospace science and technology but also fosters education and career building for science, mathematics, engineering and technology professions.
The MSSGC was founded in 1991 when NASA awarded grants to four Mississippi universities: the University of Mississippi, Jackson State University, the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi State University.
Another gateway for STEM career opportunities is the Graduate Research Fellowship Awards. Founded in 1952, the fellowship has awarded 50,000 graduate research fellowships out of more than 500,000 applications. Many National Science Foundation recipients have gone on to apply for the MSSGC.
The University of Mississippi serves as the administrative lead for MSSGC, and Earnest Stephens is the project’s coordinator.
“With this fellowship, we’re looking at engineers and scientists for the future, and it encourages those individuals to pursue careers in aerospace and in STEM careers,” Stephens said.
To meet eligibility, an individual must be a U.S. citizen enrolled in a full-time graduate program of a university in the state. Students are welcome to apply as either entering or current graduate students, however the application is limited to students seeking a degree in the STEM field with research of relevant to one of NASA’s objectives. In addition, applicants must have a 3.0 grade point average or above.
“We do encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, females and persons with disabilities,” Stephens said. “One of the purposes of this program is to increase the participation of these individuals who pursue careers in the STEM field.”
Currently, fellowship awards are $20,000 per year with an option to reapply and renew for up to three years. Stephens said that in order to maintain the fellowship, students must conduct satisfactory research, maintain academic progress and participate in the program.
Because the awards are based on annual funding, between eight and 10 students are awarded the fellowship each year. In the 2015-2016 academic year, MSSGC selected 10 students. Three recipients were Ole Miss students. In 2012, 13 students received fellowship awards, including eight MSU students, three UM students and one JSU and USM student.
MSSGC offers more opportunities for undergraduates and faculty than just the graduate research fellowships. Undergraduates of either a university or community college can partake in six-week internships at space centers across the country. Community college faculty can participate in fellowships conducted over the summer in a space center.
