Graduate Sciences Program

Graduate Science Student Trika Gerard analyzing data

Trika Gerard (Class of 2002). NOAA Ecologist trainee/ Ph.D. in Environmental Science at Florida A&M University

The Graduate Sciences Program (GSP) is aimed primarily at increasing opportunities for students in NOAA-related fields to pursue research and educational training in atmospheric, environmental, remote sensing and oceanic sciences at minority serving institutions (MSI) when possible. The GSP offers between two years (master's candidates) to four years (doctoral students) of NOAA-related research and training opportunities.

Program Objectives

The program's primary objective is to provide college graduates with educational training in math, science, economics, law, social science, and engineering entry-level employment and hands-on research and work experience at NOAA.

The program is designed to improve NOAA's outreach and recruitment efforts of under-represented individuals in the scientific mission-related occupational fields, i.e., fishery biology, environmental law, meteorology, cartography, oceanography, hydrology, computer science, environmental economics, and engineering.

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Program Overview

The GSP is designed to provide employment opportunities and work experience to qualified graduating seniors and graduate students in engineering, biology, law, social science, economics, mathematics, chemistry, physics, physical science, computer science, geography and geology. Qualified candidates must have and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher every semester/quarter.

Prior to acceptance into the program, students must be enrolled in an accredited graduate school and obtain a letter of recommendation by a school official. NOAA requires proof of acceptance in an accredited graduate program.

This program provides for formal periods of work, study, and structured classroom training programs in meteorology, hydrology, cartography, oceanography, ecology, environmental planning, marine biology, computer science, and environmental law. The GSP pays for tuition, books, lab fees, a housing allowance at the selected university, travel expenses, and salary during 16 weeks of NOAA work experience per year for each participant at a NOAA research facility. NOAA scientists are assigned as mentors to graduate scientists during the training period.

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Basic Program Requirements

All newly appointed GSP employees receive an excepted service appointment that requires signing a Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) Agreement. The first year of service is a probationary period. Grade requirements (3.0 GPA or higher) must be maintained for the duration of the program.

All participants must sign the Training Agreement SF-182, which requires three years of federal service for each year of university/college-level training received.

Upon successful completion of the first year's training, the Graduate Scientist must demonstrate that he/she met the program requirements in order to obtain approval for the next academic year.

All program participants must be U.S. citizens.

Important Dates

October	Graduate Sciences vacancy notice issued; college recruitment begins.
January	Vacancy notice closes.
SPRING	Successful applicants are notified of their selection.
August	Graduate scientists travel to NOAA Headquarters in Maryland for an orientation program at the Silver Spring complex.
December	Students report to a NOAA research facility during winter/spring break.
May	Students report to NOAA research facility to work and conduct research.

For more information, contact Priti Brahma at 301-713-9437 x 118 or e-mail: priti.brahma@noaa.gov

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