National Astronomy Consortium (NAC)
The National Astronomy Consortium (NAC) is a program led by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and Associated Universities Inc., (AUI) in partnership with the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP),and a number of minority and majority universities to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups and those otherwise overlooked by the traditional academic pipeline into STEM or STEM-related careers. (Download Flyer)
Sponsored By:
About the NAC
(Learn more about the NAC at: go.nrao.edu/nac )
- Generous stipends and travel support for NAC students
- Students introduced to opportunities with NAC partners via GRADMAP & NAC visits/colloquia
- The NAC develops and maintains long term partnerships between minority and majority serving universities and institutions
- The cornerstone of the NAC program is career-long mentoring
- NAC students have opportunities to do research in STEM fields
- NAC students are introduced to education and research opportunities with NAC partners through visits and colloquia
- Summer internships include weekly NAC research meeting, professional development / mentoring meetings, and more!
- A cohort model is used to develop professional relationships and support systems
- In 2016, cohorts were located at NRAO-Charlottesville, NRAO-Socorro, U. Wisconsin, and Space Telescope Science Institute
- Continued research over Fall semester at home institution, with faculty member and NAC mentor in preparation for AAS meeting
- Opportunity to present summer research poster at the winter AAS meeting
- The NAC experience is year-long, and includes monthly, virtual ‘hangouts’
Research Opportunities at World-Class Institutions, including:
Timeline
- NOV 1, 2016-FEB 1, 2017 : NAC applications accepted https://science.nrao.edu/opportunities/studentprograms/summerstudents
- MARCH-MAY, 2017 : Student interviews take place, and cohorts are formed.
- JUNE-AUGUST, 2017 : 8-12 week summer research
- AUGUST or SEPTEMBER, 2017 : NAC Workshop
- FALL SEMESTER, 2017 : Preparation for Winter AAS Meeting
- JANUARY, 2018 : AAS Meeting