Program Guidelines

Eligibility

To participate, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. They must be an NSF Graduate Research Fellow, either on tenure or on reserve, who has completed two years of graduate study at the time of application and is pursuing an engineering degree as determined by NSF.  Previous EIFP participants are not eligible to apply.

2. They must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. legal permanent resident at the time of application.

Stipends

The GRFP Engineering Innovation Fellowship program provides summer stipends of $10,000 for those GRFP Fellows currently on tenure and $15,000 for those on reserve.  The stipends, fully funded by the NSF, will be all inclusive and there will be no funding provided for travel or housing during the summer.  The summer stipends are in addition to a Fellow's regular GRF funding and will be distributed separately from GRF funding in two installments throughout the summer.

Tenure

EIFP Fellows must devote their full time to the approved research programs and must be in residence at the sponsoring host laboratory during the entire period of their award.  No additional monetary aid or other remuneration may be accepted by the EIFP Fellow from another appointment, fellowship, part-time teaching, research, or other outside work.

Mentoring

Host companies are required to secure a time commitment from a mentor for each of the participants. Each mentor will be required to develop an internship work plan and professional development training program for each participant under their guidance. Work plans must address the research goals and expected outcomes of the proposed research, as well as how the EIFP Fellows would be provided with on-the-job hard and soft skills training to be prepared for the shifting industry mix in science and innovation.

Future Innovators' Workshop

 The Engineering Innovation Fellows program will begin with an intensive two day informational program focused on innovation and technology commercialization. Participation in the workshop by all EIFP Fellows is a mandatory condition of acceptance of the award. Faculty advisors are encouraged to attend. Under the guidance of experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders as well as faculty and technology transfer staff, the workshop will seek to inspire the innovators and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. The workshop will take place May 21-22, 2012.

Last Updated: November 15, 2011 06:34 PM