Semiconductor Research Corporation

Graduate Fellowship Program (GFP)

The Graduate Fellowship Program (GFP) addresses the issues of improving educational opportunities at the doctoral level and supplying a relevantly educated work force for the semiconductor industry. The objectives of the program are 1) to encourage academically gifted U.S./permanent resident students to pursue doctoral degrees in research areas consistent with SRC Global Research Colaboration (GRC) goals, and 2) to develop a cadre of the highest quality doctoral graduates for GRC member companies and U.S. universities.

The GFP was created in 1986 to attract exceptionally talented students with U.S. citizenship to academic areas of interest to GRC members. The program has since been opened to students holding permanent resident, refugee , or political asylum status in the U.S. Currently, Fellowships are administered by either GRC or the Education Alliance, depending on funding source.

While Fellows are not required to take employment within the GRC community upon graduation, they are strongly encouraged to do so, and assistance is provided in finding appropriate employment in a GRC member company, U.S. government agency, or U.S. university. Graduating Fellows entering GRC member companies facilitate the transfer of new science and technology from the participating universities to the supporting organizations. Fellows joining faculties at universities worldwide carry with them the expertise to stimulate new research activities and to encourage additional student interest in semiconductor-related fields.

Students who are supported under the GFP are actively involved in approved sponsored research; however, the scope of a student's work may be beyond the scope of the research defined by the research sponsor. The GRC Fellows are encouraged to conduct research leading to novel, high-payoff solutions for the technology challenges faced by the semiconductor industry at and beyond the time horizons of the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors.

Eligibility

The GFP is open to those students who:

• are U.S. citizens or have permanent resident, refugee, or political asylum status in the U.S.
• are pursuing or planning to pursue a Ph.D. degree with research relevant to microelectronics under the guidance of an approved faculty member and with at least two years to completion of the doctoral degree
• will be performing research under an approved sponsored research program
  (Participating Universities)
• are willing to provide a copy of his/her Ph.D. dissertation to GRC for publication to the SRC website.

It is expected that GFP Fellows will complete the Ph.D. in an area relevant to microelectronics and that upon completion of the program, will secure employment with a GRC member or U.S. government agency, or a faculty position in an accredited four-year U.S. college or university.

Support Level

All GRC Fellowships provide full tuition and fees and a stipend of $2,186/month for up to five years of doctoral study. Fellowships also include an unrestricted annual gift of $2,000 for use by the student's faculty advisor in support of the student.

How to Apply

The Graduate Fellowships are offered through a national competition and are awarded based on outstanding academic achievement in the field of microelectronics, and the relevance of the proposed research to GRC goals. Application materials are distributed in November and due in February of the following year. Notice of Fellowship competition is through universities having research contracts with GRC, approved research sponsors, the GRC website, and other sources as appropriate.

Application to this program does not obligate the candidate to accept the award if selected. Prior to a candidate's agreement to enter this program, GRC will supply complete details regarding the terms of the award.

A limited number of Fellowships are set aside in this competition for students just beginning their graduate research and having no connection to GRC-funded contracts. These Fellowships may be awarded to students planning to attend universities where GRC has funded research and where a good technical match seems likely. These Fellowships are for one year. If the recipient is able to join a research program approved by GRC during that year, the Fellowship will continue for up to four additional years. If the student is unable to find an appropriate placement with a GRC-approved research program, the Fellowship will end after one year.

Application Materials

This zip file contains all the forms and instructions needed to apply for the 2010-2011 Fellowship Competition. Please download the file and read all instructions carefully before completing and submitting the forms. Deadline for submission is February 15, 2010. All application materials must arrive at GRC by the deadline. Applications must be complete to be considered.

Industry Advisors

Industry Advisors are a vital element of the Graduate Fellowship Program. The Industry Advisors are part of a research team that includes the student, the Faculty Advisor, and perhaps other industry advisors. The goal of this team is to provide the student with 1) knowledge of the industrial environment in general, 2) an indication of the potential applications of his/her research, and 3) professional collegial contact that will foster the student's ability to function effectively in a competitive global economy.

Industry Advisors help the student make contact with knowledgeable industry people and explore ways in which the student's doctoral research is relevant to industry by sharing a firsthand view of the current and next generation needs of the industry. The Industry Advisor should be able to help the student look beyond the achievement of the degree to the application of the research in the work place. The Graduate Fellows are beginning to take their places in the industrial arena by presenting their research at technical conferences and workshops as well as through publication. The Industry Advisor can enhance this process by providing experiences within his/her own company and contact with professionals throughout the industry to help the student develop a network of colleagues that will foster professional growth long after the degree is completed. GRC makes every effort to consider each student and prospective Industry Advisor individually, and recommendation is sought from the Faculty Advisor.

Criteria that are considered in the selection of Industry Advisors include:

• participation in the research as an Industrial Liaison or industry mentor
• enthusiastic desire to participate in the education of young men and women who are the next generation of scientists and industry leaders
• area of technical interest compatible with that of the student's research
• convenience of and availability for interaction with the student

It is suggested that the Industry Advisor make at least four personal contacts with the student during the course of the academic year. These meetings might take place:

• twice at the university to review the student's research, e.g. the annual research program review
• once at the Industry Advisor's' company, perhaps to present the student's research and/or to meet with others at the company who have similar interests
• TECHCON , SRC's annual conference

Other suggestions for contact include electronic mail and intern employment if appropriate.

Although the Industry Advisor's role is designed primarily for the benefit of the student, there are also benefits to the Industry Advisor and to participating companies. The role provides an effective avenue for the direct transfer of research results to participating companies, and the "inside track" for recruiting into the work force these young men and women who are among the brightest and best our universities have to offer.