OpportunityTitle: Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Only individuals who are United States citizens   currently pursuing a masters or doctoral level degree in oceanography,   marine biology or maritime archaeology (including all science,   engineering, and resource management of ocean and coastal areas) at a   U.S. accredited graduate institution are eligible for an award under   this scholarship program. In addition, students must have and maintain   a minimum cumulative and term grade point average of 3.0 and maintain   full-time student status for every term and for the duration of their   award. Universities or other organizations may not apply on behalf of   an individual.      Prospective scholars do not need to be enrolled, but must be   admitted to a graduate level program in order to apply for this   scholarship. Eligibility must be maintained for each succeeding year of   support and annual reporting requirements, to be specified at a later   date, will apply.
Description: The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program provides support for independent graduate-level studies in oceanography, marine biology or maritime archaeology (including all science, engineering, and resource management of ocean and coastal areas), particularly to women and minorities. Individuals who have been accepted to a graduate program and are U.S. citizens may apply. Scholarship selections are based on academic excellence, letters of recommendation, research and career goals, and financial need. Applicants must have and maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average each term cumulatively and maintain full-time student status for the duration of the appointment. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarships may provide, subject to appropriations, yearly support of up to $32,000 per student (a 12-month stipend of $20,000 in addition to a tuition allowance of up to $12,000), and up to $20,000 support for a four to six week research collaboration at a NOAA facility. A maximum of $84,000 may be provided to masters students (up to 2 years of support and one research collaboration opportunity) and up to $168,000 may be provided to doctoral students (up to 4 years of support and two research collaboration opportunities). Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program recipients will travel to Silver Spring, MD, for a NOAA Orientation and to meet with National Marine Sanctuaries Program staff. Awards will include travel expenses to attend the mandatory Scholarship Program orientation. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship recipients will also be required to participate in a research collaboration at a NOAA facility. Master`s 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 conduct their research at a NOAA facility and on NOAA mission research for four to six weeks. Support for the research opportunity may be used toward allowable travel costs such as: Travel to and from the NOAA facility, housing, and per diem 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. Additional Information about the scholarship can be obtained in the full announcement text of the Federal Funding Opportunity.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: For application download issues.
GrantorContactText: Steve  Drescher &lt;br/&gt;Policy Advisor &lt;br/&gt;Phone 301-713-0926
CloseDateExplanation: Complete applications must be received and   validated by Grants.gov on or before 5 p.m. EST March 31, 2009.        Please Note: It may take Grants.gov up to two (2) business days   to validate or reject the application. Please keep this in mind in   developing your submission timeline. Completed applications must be   received by the Program Manager between January 1, 2009, and March   31, 2009, at 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, through Grants.gov.