FY12 Nancy Foster Scholarship Program

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The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program provides support for independent graduate-level studies in oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archaeology (including all science, engineering, social science and resource management of ocean and coastal areas), particularly to women and minorities. Individuals who are U.S. citizens and are applying to or have been accepted to a graduate program at a U.S. accredited institution may apply. Prospective scholars do not need to be enrolled in a graduate program at the time of application, but must be admitted to a graduate level program in order to be awarded this scholarship. Scholarship selections are based on academic excellence, letters of recommendations, research and career goals, and financial need. Applicants must have and maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average each academic term and cumulatively and maintain full-time student status for the duration of the scholarship. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarships may provide, subject to appropriations, yearly support of up to $42,000 per student (a 12-month stipend of $30,000 in addition to an education allowance of up to $12,000), and up to $10,000 support for a four to six week research collaboration at a NOAA facility. A maximum of $94,000 may be provided to master degree students (up to 2 years of support and one research collaboration opportunity) and up to $188,000 may be provided to doctoral students (up to 4 years of support and two research collaboration opportunities). Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program recipients will be required to participate in a NOAA Orientation training and to meet with Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) staff at a date and location to be determined during the month of June, 2012. If scholarships have not been awarded before this mandatory training, recipients may be required to incur pre award costs that will be reimbursed after award funds have been issued. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship recipients will also be required to participate in a research collaboration opportunity at a NOAA facility during their scholarship. Master's degree candidates will be supported for one research collaboration opportunity, and Doctoral candidates will be supported for up to two research collaboration opportunities over the duration of the scholarship. The research collaboration opportunity is designed to allow scholars to participate in research activities for four to six weeks at a field office of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, or other NOAA program offices. Scholars are required to provide their own health insurance coverage during the research collaboration. Pending availability of funding, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries may hold a biennial Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Symposium to discuss recipient research projects and further collaborative efforts with the ONMS. Current and past recipients of the scholarship may be eligible to receive travel support. Federal support for the research opportunity may be used toward allowable costs such as: travel to and from the NOAA facility, housing, per diem, laboratory costs, research vessel support, instruments while conducting research at the NOAA facility. Applicants who are awarded the Nancy Foster Scholarship will identify their research collaboration opportunity(s) topic and NOAA facility during the initial scholarship year. Approval from NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is required prior to embarking on the research collaboration. Additional Information about the scholarship can be obtained in the full announcement text of the Federal Funding Opportunity.

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