DHS Scholarship and Fellowship Program
2008 Competition Guidelines

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ANNOUNCEMENT:

The following information is posted for information purposes only. It reflects the program benefits and conditions for the previous competition cycle. Updated information for the upcoming competition cycle will be posted at this same web address in the fall.

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Graduate Fellowship Details

Eligibility

• You must be a U.S. citizen as of the application deadline.
• If you have earned a master’s or doctoral degree as of the application deadline, you are ineligible.
• If you are pursuing a DVM, MBA, MD, joint MD/PhD, JD, or joint JD/PhD degree, you are ineligible.
• You must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA from the institution granting your bachelor’s degree of 3.30 or higher on a 4.00 scale, including fall 2007 grades if enrolled during that term.
• If you are currently enrolled in graduate school, you must have a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.30 or higher on a 4.00 scale, including fall 2007 grades.
• You must be pursuing a doctoral or master’s degree with a thesis requirement in a homeland security science, technology, engineering or mathematics (HS-STEM) field with interest in a homeland security research area. See Research Areas List.
• If you are a college senior as of the application deadline, and you will graduate prior to fall 2008, you are eligible.
• If you have previously earned a bachelor’s degree but are not currently enrolled, and you have completed no more than two graduate courses since completion of a bachelor’s degree, you are eligible.
• If you are enrolled full-time in the first year of a PhD program as of the application deadline, and prior to fall 2007 you had completed no more than two graduate courses since completion of a bachelor’s degree, you are eligible.
• If you are enrolled full-time in the first year of a master’s program as of the application deadline, and prior to fall 2007 you had completed no more than two graduate courses since completion of a bachelor’s degree, and you will begin a PhD program in fall 2008, you are eligible.
• If you are enrolled part-time in graduate courses and wish to enroll full-time in a PhD or master’s program in fall 2008, and as of fall 2008 you will have completed no more than two graduate courses since completion of a bachelor’s degree, you are eligible.
• If you are a veterinary medical student who is enrolled at an accredited school or college of veterinary medicine and who is currently in the fourth year of a professional curriculum leading to the DVM or VMD degree, and who will begin a postgraduate course of study in the 2008-2009 academic year leading to a PhD degree, you are eligible.
• If you have any commitments such as active military service, summer field work, or study abroad, that would prevent you from attending school full-time, attending the fall 2008 orientation meeting and participating full-time in a 10-week internship during the summer of 2009, or accepting an employment offer following receipt of your degree, you are ineligible.

Stipend

• $2,300/month for 12 months

Tuition

• Full tuition and mandatory, nonrefundable fees paid

Duration

• Appointments are for up to three years, beginning fall 2008, given satisfactory academic progress and availability of funding.

Research Internship and Service Requirement

• A 10-week, continuous, off-campus research internship at DHS or a DHS-affiliated facility will be required during the summer between your first and second year appointments. Internship placement will be coordinated through this program.
• A one-year, full-time service requirement in a relevant HS-STEM field will be required. The work done during this service must be applicable to one of the 16 homeland security research areas. The one-year service commitment may be served at a DHS-approved STEM venue—including universities—immediately following the term of the fellowship. The service requirement can be postponed to complete the final degree requirements, but must be completed within two years of your final stipend payment. Options for completing this service requirement at a DHS-approved STEM venue include full-time service for: (1) one continuous year; or (2) two six-month periods at no more than two locations.

Other Important Items

• You must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited college or university located in the United States or its territories during your appointment. However, this condition would not prohibit a student from doing some of their study or research at a foreign institution, with approval from DHS.
• You must be accepted in a graduate program by fall 2008.
• No deferrals of a DHS award, the internship component, or the service requirement will be allowed.
• Students in a 4-year joint baccalaureate-master’s degree program should apply in their fourth year of college attendance.
• Students in a 5-year joint baccalaureate-master’s degree program should apply in their fifth year of college attendance.
• If you accept a DHS Fellowship, you cannot accept any other fellowships, grants or federal loans while on your DHS appointment except educational benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and need-based assistance approved by DHS.

Application Deadlines and Notes

• January 7, 2008: You must submit an online application form, including all essay questions, by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time on this date.
• January 14, 2008: You must have two (2) online reference report forms submitted on your behalf, by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time on this date. No paper or e-mail attachments accepted.
• January 14, 2008: You must have an official academic transcript from all postsecondary institutions attended, including fall 2007 grades if enrolled, submitted on your behalf by this date. Note this is a postmark deadline, not a receipt deadline. There is no need to send information via overnight or special delivery.
• January 14, 2008: You must have official Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test Scores submitted on your behalf from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) by this date. It is recommended that you submit official Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Subject Test Scores, if a test is offered in your academic discipline. If you plan to submit GRE Subject Test Scores, you must have these scores submitted on your behalf from ETS by the January 14, 2008 postmark deadline. Note this is a postmark deadline, not a receipt deadline. It is your responsibility to work with ETS to ensure that your GRE Test scores meet this postmark deadline. All GRE Test scores must be submitted by the Educational Testing Service. Provide the Educational Testing Service with the ORISE Institutional Code of 1590.
• January 14, 2008: If you are a U.S. citizen by birth and do not have a U.S. passport (current or expired), you must submit a copy of your birth certificate by this date. Note this is a postmark deadline, not a receipt deadline. There is no need to send information via overnight or special delivery.
• We will not accept materials via fax or as e-mail attachments. Do not send duplicate items via fax or e-mail.
• Do not submit resumes, official copies of standardized test scores including SAT or ACT test scores which are self-reported on your electronic application or GRE Test score reports which must be submitted directly to us by ETS, off-prints, manuscripts, video tapes, slides, photographs, or other extraneous materials. Do not submit more than the designated page limit for essay questions in the application. The above items will not be used in the review of your application.

Evaluation Process

Applications will be evaluated by a panel of scientists and engineers based on the student’s academic record and submitted test scores, reference reports, and essays. Reviewers provide an overall rating and a separate rating on each of the following:

• Academic Record
  Transcripts are reviewed and evaluated in conjunction with information on the student’s program and information from reference reports.
• Reference Reports
  The best reference reports typically come from professors who know the applicant and can make an informed judgment about the applicant’s fitness for the proposed program of study. Reviewers look for evidence of the ability to succeed in research so references from research supervisors are helpful, even if these references are not the applicants’ professors.
• GRE Test Scores
  These are used to enhance other information related to academic potential. There are no minimum test-score requirements. Applications without GRE General Test scores will not be reviewed. Applicants without GRE Subject Test scores in fields where tests are offered will be reviewed, but strong GRE Subject Test scores can enhance other evidence of potential to succeed in a graduate program.
• Research Experience Essay
  The best essays will do three things: succinctly describe the specifics of your experience, including the specific role that you played if you were part of a larger project; list any publications or presentations of research findings; and tell the reviewers what it is you think you gained from the experience.
• Current Research Interests Essay
  The best essays demonstrate both an ability to define a research problem relevant to the DHS mission and an understanding of how such a problem might be solved. These essays should contain only original thoughts or other properly attributed information.
• Contribution to Public Service Essay
  Reviewers will look for evidence that the applicant is interested in a public service career relevant to homeland security. The best essays will demonstrate insight into the career that interests you, the steps you may take to achieve your goals, and indicate how the fellowship will contribute to your career goals. Reviewers also take note of unique life experiences and backgrounds that motivate you to succeed in making the homeland safe and secure.

The most highly rated applications are then reviewed by DHS staff who pay attention to factors of special concern to DHS such as the relevance of the applicant’s research interests. The final selection of fellows is made by DHS.

In order to benefit fully from the benefits of our diverse society, the DHS Scholarship and Fellowship Program welcomes applications from all qualified individuals and strongly encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply.

Conditions of Award

Detailed conditions of the awards made to the 2007 Class of DHS Scholars and Fellows are available for your review. Note that changes to these conditions related to the one-year service requirement that was added for this cycle are expected. However, those offered an award will have time to review final conditions before acceptance of the award.

To begin an application you must respond to a list of questions that will help you determine your eligibility to apply to the DHS Scholarship and Fellowship Program. You must answer all questions in the order they appear to get access to an application. There are several opportunities in the questionnaire for you to e-mail us if your answers to the questions do not result in access to an application. Thank you for your interest in the program and for taking the time to answer these questions as accurately as possible. Use the begin fellowship application link on the left to begin your application.