FAQ

Why is a fellowship program needed?

Answer: Scientists and engineers with PhDs and other advanced degrees play a central and growing role in American industrial and commercial life. We increasingly depend on people with advanced scientific and technological knowledge in our collective efforts in developing new technologies and industries, reducing environmental pollution, combating disease and hunger, developing new sources of energy, and maintaining the competitiveness of industry. The traditional process of graduate education to the doctoral level, organized around an intensive research experience, has served as a world model for the advanced training of scientists and engineers. However, the majority of PhDs will not enter academic life and many will not become researchers. Thus, graduate students in science and engineering as well as in related professions need additional experiences to broaden their horizons.