The Virginia-North Carolina Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation looks forward to hosting its second Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) cohort in fall 2023 at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). BD funding is only available to individuals who were Level 1 LSAMP students as an undergraduate. During the fall 2022 semester, seniors and alumni are encouraged to apply to VCU STEM graduate programs. They can contact departments directly to request a fee waiver. Drs. Mychal Smith, Joyce Lloyd, Michael Grotewiel, and Gregory Triplett will serve as program directors of the BD. Dr. Mychal Smith will coordinate programming for the BD as well as faculty mentors for each of the fellows.
Compensation
• $32,000 stipend
• Cost of education allowance including: tuition and university fees; health insurance
• Funding guaranteed for up to six years for students in good academic standing
• Two-week bridge program
• Peer Mentoring
• Support for writing fellowship applications
Download the program flyer to learn about additional details to include and all available STEM graduate programs at VCU. Students should contact Dr. Mychal Smith directly if they plan to apply to supply next steps for LSAMP Level 1 Status verification or have any questions.
LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate at the University of Virginia:
The first LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) cohort started Fall 2019; a second cohort began in Fall 2020. Individuals received a stipend, the cost of education allowance, and participated in a mentoring institute. In order to qualify individuals had to be considered a Level 1 LSAMP student as an undergraduate and be admitted into one of UVA's Ph.D. programs. Dr. Keisha John, Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion in the College of Arts & Sciences, serves as BD Program Director. The University of Virginia LSAMP BD program is not accepting any additional participants. Individuals should consider applying to LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate Program at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Apply to Graduate School at U.Va.:
VA–NC Alliance (LSAMP) students applying to graduate school at the University of Virginia may submit an application to the Office of Graduate Student Diversity Programs for a fee waiver. Visit "Application Fee Waiver Information" for instructions and eligibility requirements. LSAMP Programs to include the VA–NC Alliance are listed underneath the "Organization Affiliation Eligibility" section.
Applying to Graduate School:
Check out these grad school “how-to” YouTube videos published by UC Berkeley. Topics include: personal statement writing, financing graduate school, engineering Ph.D. student panel, etc.
Graduate School Preparation Retreats:
Held annually at VA-NC Alliance's partner institutions, workshop topics include:
completing the graduate application, writing a personal statement, securing letters of recommendation, exploring funding opportunities, etc.
By participating in these workshops, students develop a better understanding of the graduate school application process and have the opportunity to complete at least one graduate school application.
Please contact your home institution for information related to upcoming retreats.
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Resources:
Educational Testing Service GRE fee reduction waivers
Free GRE Resources maintained by Rice University Office of Academic Advising
Databases for Graduate Funding Opportunities:
CARAT Database for Grants and Fellowships (maintained by Harvard University)
GRAPES Database (maintained by UCLA)
Pathways to Science Graduate School Opportunities
Use this website to find programs such as undergraduate summer research opportunities, and graduate fellowships, as well as resources and materials pertaining to recruitment, retention, and mentoring. The site's advance search tool allows individuals to filter programs by upcoming deadlines.
• Fellowships for Masters Students
• Fellowships for Doctoral Candidates
• Postdoc Opportunities
• Graduate programs and internships
Presidential Management Fellows
Overview: A Federal-wide, flagship leadership development program for advanced degree candidates. The PMF-STEM track seeks to place graduate students from STEM disciplines in entry-level positions in Federal agencies around the country. Learn about the application process here.
Professional Development Opportunities:
NSF Minority Research Programs
NSF has a number of special programs that address members of groups underrepresented in science and engineering. Activities are aimed at increasing the participation of underrepresented minorities; improving the recruitment and retention of women and girls in science and engineering careers; and ensuring that persons with disabilities have the opportunity to participate fully in NSF-supported projects. Such efforts include programs for students, faculty, and institutions designed to develop as fully as possible our Nation’s talent pool.