Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC)
Undergraduate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Bridge Scholarship Program

Contact:   Chris Carter, Assistant Director, 757/766-5210; cxcarter@odu.edu

Overview

A major goal of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) is to help produce the engineers and scientists of the future. While opportunities for careers in aerospace have expanded, the number of talented students pursuing degrees in mathematics, engineering and the sciences has declined.  To encourage talented individuals to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related fields and research, the VSGC established the Undergraduate STEM Bridge Scholarship Program. 

This is a competitive scholarship program, funded by NASA and the Commonwealth of Virginia contributions, with the goals of:

• Increasing participation in STEM-related research and careers by students from any federally recognized minority who demonstrate high academic achievement and promise;
• Promoting undergraduate STEM-related research by assisting students with establishing relationships with student and faculty mentors early in their academic career;
• Increasing the diversity of applicants to VSGC’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program by creating a bridge program that supports federally recognized minority students in their freshman and sophomore years; and,
• Implementing the goals of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

More information below about VSGC's research scholarship and fellowship programs.

• VSGC Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program (open to junior and senior undergraduate students)
• VSGC Graduate Research Fellowship Program

For the initial year of the program, the VSGC Undergraduate STEM Scholarship Program provides an award of $1,000 to first-time freshman students from any federally recognized minority enrolled full-time in a program of study in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) at one of the five Virginia Space Grant institutions.  To be eligible, students must be identified as a member of a federally recognized minority in the STEM fields. Federally recognized minorities in STEM include students whose ethnicity is African American, Native American, Hispanic, or Pacific Islander.  Female students who are members of these federally recognized minority groups are strongly encouraged to be nominated.  Successful scholarship recipients are expected to have grade point averages of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.  Students must be U.S. citizens and be a rising freshman at time of the award (Fall 2008).The award is renewable in student’s sophomore year based on successful academic performance and continued demonstrated pursuit of a STEM major.

Awardee Requirements

Students must have officially been accepted as a first-time freshman to a VSGC member institution.  Students must have also contacted the institution to accept and indicate they plan to enroll by the fall semester of 2009.  Any award is contingent upon the student enrolling full-time in that institution by fall semester 2009.

The scholarship program requires awardees to establish a relationship with a faculty member and a current VSGC Scholar or Fellow from the same discipline area during the award period.  VSGC will assist each awardee in identifying the appropriate individuals and in making the initial contact with faculty and other students.  VSGC will also facilitate an introduction to other Undergraduate STEM Bridge Scholars attending the same institution. Students will also be made aware of Space Grant and NASA internships, scholarships and other programs that relate to their academic studies and career pathways.

The purpose of establishing this relationship between the awardee and a faculty member is to provide the student the ability to learn more about the STEM discipline and current research projects and opportunities in the department. The student will be expected to initiate meetings with the faculty member to discuss research opportunities and to undertake academic coursework needed to prepare for research and careers in these areas.

Establishing a relationship with a current VSGC Scholar or Fellow will allow the awardee to understand the benefits of conducting undergraduate research and how to prepare to become a successful STEM researcher. Student mentorship has proven to be effective in encouraging undergraduates to pursue STEM careers and research leading to employment and enrolling in graduate programs. 

Awardees will be required to submit one mid-year progress report and one final report to VSGC that describes the research projects and opportunities within their department that they are interested in and possibly pursuing in their upperclassman years.  Awardees will also be required to attend the annual VSGC Student Research Conference to be held in March or April 2010. VSGC will provide some funding to offset the cost of the student’s travel to attend the Conference. 

Additionally, awardees must provide a photo and biographical information upon selection; inform the Consortium of changes of address; and respond to academic and employment follow-up surveys. Students may also be asked to share their experience in public forums, classroom presentations and professional meetings. Presentations that encourage interest in aerospace careers and research to high school students are of particular interest to the Consortium.

VSGC will develop and facilitate a Undergraduate STEM Bridge Scholars cohort consisting of Scholars from each member institutions.  This cohort will assist Scholars in networking with VSGC and other students and faculty with similar interests.  All Scholars will be expected to participate in any cohort meetings or events.

Selection Criteria

 VSGC established this program to promote STEM-related careers and research at the undergraduate level and to serve as a bridge to VSGC’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship and Graduate Research Fellowship programs.  Awardees should have an academic background that demonstrates a strong interest and ability in science, math, and technology reflected by completion of a significant number of these courses with high achievement.  The student should have the necessary academic coursework and preparation to be successful in a STEM major at the institution.  Awardees should also possess a strong interest in a STEM-related career demonstrated by participation in extracurricular activities and prior school projects in STEM.  Prior participation in research, NASA programs or similar STEM-related educational programs, both formal and informal, would also indicate the student has a good chance of sustaining interest in STEM.  Applicants will be judged based on their academic merit, background, and interest in a STEM career as demonstrated on their institution’s undergraduate application. 

Application Review Process

A point of contact at each institution will be responsible for coordinating a competitive review process of applications and sending the VSGC the names and full contact information for the two selected students plus two alternate selections. Each point of contact will be responsible for reviewing the student applications from freshman who meet the criteria, have been accepted into the institution and indicate they plan to enroll in the fall to identify potential awardees based on the selection criteria.  For each student selected, a brief statement indicating why the student was selected will also be required. VSGC will work directly with the institution’s VSGC Undergraduate STEM Bridge Scholarship Program point of contact to help facilitate selection process as needed and will make final approval of all student selections. 

VSGC will notify awardees of their selection and provide them with the awardee requirements and a description of the scholarship program. Students will be required to notify VSGC to officially accept or decline the scholarship offer.  VSGC will notify each institution of the student’s decision

Disposition of Unused Funds

If an awardee terminates his/her academic program during the 2008–2009 academic year, the University is required to return a prorated share of the scholarship award to the VSGC. Scholarship funds are not transferrable.