Location: Bowdoin / Student Fellowships / Bowdoin Research Opportunities / Maine Space Grant

Student Fellowships & Research

Maine Space Grant Consortium Scholarship and Fellowship Program

Application Deadline: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at noon.

Description. The Maine Space Grant Consortium Scholarship and Fellowship Program at Bowdoin College provides summer and academic year research opportunities for Bowdoin students in aerospace-related research, including astronomical, biological, physical, social, earth science, human exploration and development of space, space science, and other science technology, computer or engineering related fields.

Additional Requirements. Within 60 days of the completion of their projects, Maine Space Grant Consortium Fellows must submit a final project report to the Office of Student Fellowships and Research. This report should not exceed five pages and must conform to standard scientific reporting format. In compliance with copyright laws, submitted final reports must be unpublished material. Final reports will be compiled by the Consortium as a compendium to be circulated to NASA officials and affiliate members of the Consortium.

Recipients are expected to conduct research outreach activities that may include one or more of the following:

  • Presentation to a local school to share project work and experience
  • Presentation of projects at the annual Maine Space Grant Consortium meeting
  • Participation in a local or regional Space Grant event to display and present projects

Please note: Minorities, women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply to this program.

Eligibility. Seniors may apply; however, preference will be given to returning students.

  • be a US citizen,
  • be enrolled as a full-time student at Bowdoin,
  • have a GPA of 3.0 or higher (lower GPAs may be considered if there is sufficient justification based on the letter of recommendation and relevant courses taken or enrolled in),
  • make a good faith effort at the time of application to identify a NASA researcher who could be a mentor during the project period. The Office of Student Fellowships and Research can answer questions about this eligibility NASA's GSRP searchable database.

Application Process. Scholarly mentoring is crucial for a positive research fellowship experience. Interested students are encouraged to talk with faculty early in the process so that they can identify a faculty member who will be available and willing to mentor the student throughout the fellowship period.

Complete application forms for the Maine Space Grant Fellowship must be submitted by noon on the date indicated above, to the Office of Student Fellowships and Research. Late applications will not be accepted, so please plan accordingly. For more detailed information, visit Application/Notification Timeline.

Selection Criteria. Members of the Internal Fellowships Committee review applications and base their award decisions on the following:

  • the quality of the proposed project and the candidate's narrative description,
  • the extent to which the proposed project meets the aims of the Maine Space Grant Fellowship,
  • the candidate's academic record, particular interests and competence,
  • the faculty mentor's letter of recommendation, and
  • the extent to which the faculty-student mentor relationship is described and appropriate to the project.

The financial need of a candidate does not enter into the awarding of a Maine Space Grant Fellowship

Stipend/Research Related Expenses. The Maine Space Grant Fellowship carries a $3,200 stipend. Summer fellows agree to commit eight weeks full-time toward the completion of their proposed projects and to refrain from employment during their period of appointment. Academic year fellows agree to carry out their project on a part-time basis over two semesters (i.e., effort approximately equivalent to that of summer fellow).

If requested and approved during the application process, summer and academic year fellows may also be reimbursed for up to $500 for justified research related expenses (e.g., laboratory/art supplies, analytical costs, and travel beyond the local area to conduct field work or to visit an archive).

Should a faculty mentor feel that a fellow is not making sufficient progress toward the research goals set forth in the fellow's proposal, the College reserves the right to discontinue funding.

Housing. Summer Fellows, who are in good disciplinary standing with the College, are eligible to stay in campus housing during the summer. If you elect to live in campus housing over the summer, the College will cover the $600 cost and you will not pay rent. (Please note that for some students this benefit may be taxable.) Summer fellows who live off-campus, whether by choice or due to their standing with the Office of the Dean of Students, will not receive any support for their housing costs. Academic year fellows do not receive any support for housing.

Human/Animal Subjects. Bowdoin College is committed to the proper and humane treatment of all human and animal research subjects. If your research involves animals or human subjects, you must submit a protocol application form to Bowdoin's Research Oversight Committee (ROC). The protocol must be approved by the ROC prior to beginning your research and before you can receive your first stipend payment. You can learn more about this process by visiting the ROC's website and talking with your faculty mentor.