GEM offers MS and Ph.D. level students an outstanding opportunity and access to dozens of the top Engineering and Science firms and Universities in the nation. The GEM Fellowship was designed to focus on promoting opportunities for individuals to enter industry at the graduate level in areas such as research and development, product development, and other high level technical careers. GEM also offers exposure to a number of opportunities in academia.
The objective of this program is to promote the benefits of a masters degree within industry. GEM Fellows are provided practical engineering summer work experiences through an employer sponsor and a portable academic year fellowship of tuition, fees, and a stipend which may be used at any participating GEM Member University where the GEM Fellow is admitted. The following financial package is for GEM Fellowships beginning in the Fall or later (i.e., not retroactive for GEM Fellows who began their GEM Fellowship before the Fall). Please note that University / Associate Fellows are nominated by the University, not selected by the applicant.
University / Associate are nominated by the university, not chosen by the applicant.
The objective of this program is to offer doctoral fellowships to primarily underrepresented minority students who have either completed, are currently enrolled in a master’s in engineering program, or received admittance into a PhD program directly from a bachelor’s degree program. Fellowships may be used at any participating GEM Member University where the GEM Fellow is admitted. Please note that University / Associate Fellows are nominated by the University, not selected by the applicant.
During the first academic year of being awarded the GEM Fellowship, the GEM Consortium remits a stipend and a cost of instruction grant to the institution where the fellow is enrolled. Thereafter, up to the fifth year of the doctoral program, continued financial support of the GEM Fellow is borne by the GEM University through alternative sources of funding such as institutional awards, assistantships or other external fellowships. Continued support from the GEM University will be contingent upon the GEM Fellow remaining in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress in their graduate program. Fellows are provided a paid graduate level summer work experience through the Employer Member for at least one summer.
University / Associate are nominated by the university, not chosen by the applicant.
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident at time of application.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to take the GRE to qualify for multiple GEM Member University programs. Although NOT required. Applicants will be asked to provide test dates and/or GRE scores when available.
University Graduate Program: Applicants must directly apply to a minimum of three (3) GEM Member Universities STEM graduate departments. The deadline to apply to three GEM Member Universities is January 15th OR the relevant STEM graduate department deadline, whichever is earlier. Applicants must be admitted into a GEM Member University graduate program with confirmed department funding support before the GEM Fellowship is awarded.
The portable fellowships are valid at only GEM member universities. The cost of application to graduate school is borne by the student (please check the GEM University Membership listing to see if your graduate institution of interest offers STEM graduate application waivers to GEM applicants). Each GEM Member University has its own entrance requirements, and students are accepted on their own merits. GEM member universities are not obligated to admit a student. It is advisable to apply for admission to several of the member universities at the same time application is made to the GEM program, but no later than the university’s published deadline. GEM does not fund online programs.
GEM fellowship applicants must apply to a minimum of 3 GEM Member Universities, directly to the relevant STEM department by their published deadline. Applying directly to 3 GEM Member Universities for admission to a STEM graduate program by their posted deadline is an ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT. If the applicant is currently matriculating in a STEM graduate program, where they are seeking financial support, and the GEM Member University (of current graduate matriculation) is willing to provide in writing willingness to support as a GEM Fellow if selected, then and only then is the requirement to apply to a minimum of 3 GEM Member Universities waived.
Member universities may have additional requirements for the acceptance of GEM fellows (e.g. requirements for obtaining in-state residency, requirements for acceptance of teaching or research assistantship, budgeted number of GEM Fellows per academic year). Please check with the particular graduate school of interest to you. Admission into a GEM Member University’s STEM graduate department does not directly translate to confirmation of the use of the GEM Fellowship at the participating GEM Member University. At the time of selection, a GEM Member University Representative will confirm in writing if the GEM Fellowship can be used at their institution. The GEM Member University graduate program must confirm willingness to fund an applicant as a GEM Fellow, prior to the GEM Fellowship being awarded.
If confirmed as a GEM Fellow, you will be expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times. The following internship criteria must be followed to assure continuation of your GEM Fellowship:
Adhering to this code of conduct will help you optimize your internship experience, and you will continue the tradition of GEM fellows being regarded as a very select group of students who meet the highest possible academic and personal standard
GEM MS Engineering Fellows receive a stipend, which may be supplemented by the GEM Member University. The funding for the MS Award is for up to four semesters or up to six quarters.
The funding for the PhD programs is up to the 5th year of the PhD program. One year is funded through the GEM National Office (via sponsorship from a GEM Employer and the GEM University). During the remaining years of the PhD program (up to the fifth year), GEM Fellows are funded at the same level of other funded doctorate students in the department. GEM Fellows may be expected to accept a teaching or research assistantship. GEM Universities may place additional requirements on GEM Fellows, such as requiring that GEM Fellows obtain in-state residency. GEM Fellows must check with individual GEM Member University representatives to determine if additional requirements exist at that university.
Students receive their stipend in accordance with each GEM University’s payment schedule, and may be paid in weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly installments. Stipend payments typically begin about one month after the student arrives on campus. Thus, GEM Fellows are advised to retain sufficient funds from their summer internship stipends to cover anticipated initial expenses (e.g., travel to the GEM University, books, supplies, etc.).
To begin receiving the stipend, GEM Fellows are required to meet with their GEM University Representative, to submit internship self-evaluations, graduate program plan.
MS engineering fellows are expected to complete their master’s degree coursework in four semesters or six quarters. Ph.D. engineering and science fellows receive support up to the fifth year of their PhD program. After the first year of support through GEM, fellows are required to accept a research or teaching assistantship, or other financial support through the GEM member university.
Fellows are required to attend a GEM Member University, maintain satisfactory progress toward an MS or PhD degree, abide by GEM guidelines, and abide by the guidelines of the GEM Employer sponsor.
As a rule, students cannot substitute summer school for their internship obligation. However, this requirement may be waived under special circumstances, such as early graduation with the intent of working full-time for the sponsoring company. Written requests for a waiver must be made to the GEM Employer and the GEM National Office several months before the summer employment is scheduled to begin.
Upon written approval from the GEM Employer, GEM University, and GEM National Office, a student may obtain a leave of absence from the GEM Fellowship Program. The Fellow must re-enroll within the terms of the agreed upon arrangement.
A GEM Fellow must secure prior written approval from the GEM National Office to withdraw from the GEM Fellowship Program. If an enrolled GEM Fellow drops out of the academic program before the school term has ended, the GEM Fellow may be liable for full or partial restitution of stipend, tuition and fee payments.
The National GEM Consortium reserves the right to terminate a GEM Fellow’s appointment and stipend payment immediately for violation of the terms of the appointment or for misconduct. Either an unsatisfactory progress report from the University Member or an unsatisfactory performance report from the Employer Member where the student is assigned may be considered grounds for termination. Any student terminated for gross misconduct, negligence, or non-performance will be considered to have violated their agreement with the National GEM Consortium and will be ineligible for future consideration.
All students receiving fellowships or other graduate assistance funds should be advised that these monies may be subject to local, state or federal taxes. All GEM Fellows should contact the appropriate taxing authority for further information.
GEM Fellows are encouraged to take advantage of medical insurance made available to them by their Graduate School. Most Universities do not include medical expenses in tuition and fees. The cost for these expenses can be paid out of the fellowship stipend or summer earnings.
Included, But Not Limited To
The summer internship at a GEM Employer constitutes the initial phase of the GEM Fellowship program and acceptance of such employment validates the fellowship.
Read MoreThe summer internship at a GEM Employer constitutes the initial phase of the GEM Fellowship program and acceptance of such employment validates the fellowship. Failure to accept the GEM summer internship offer cancels the fellowship. Internships generally run for 12 weeks, however, small variations are possible by mutual agreement between the GEM Fellow and Employer. Summer interns will receive a salary determined by the sponsoring employer. Each intern is also reimbursed for travel to and from the work site according to the GEM Employer’s travel policy.
Each employer assigns an experienced engineer or scientist as a supervisor to each GEM Fellow. The role of the supervisor is to provide one-to-one guidance, support, and assistance throughout the assignment. At the end of the summer, the supervisor and the student each complete forms evaluating the effectiveness of the assignment and the quality of the student’s work performance and may include recommendations regarding the student’s next year of study or employment.
Employer-sponsored PhD Fellows are required to intern with the selecting Employer Member at least one summer prior to the commencement of GEM Funding. Employer-sponsored MS Fellows are expected to intern every summer after their selection until completion of MS degree requirements.
The company determines the assignment and location of the summer internship. Every effort is made to match students whose research interests are compatible to the needs of the company.
Neither the student nor the company incurs an obligation beyond the student’s completion of the master’s or doctoral program.
The National GEM Consortium highly recommends all students considering applying for a STEM graduate program to take the GRE. However, the GRE is NOT required for the GEM application. Each GEM applicant is required to fully answer questions posed in the on-line application about the GRE.
Yes! Applying to three (3) GEM Member Universities is an ABSOLUTE requirement. If you are currently matriculating in an undergraduate program, you absolutely must apply to three (3) GEM Member Universities, even if your home institution has indicated they will support you as a GEM Fellow if you are selected.
The only exception is if you are currently matriculating in a graduate program; the same graduate program that you are seeking financial support for indicates in writing that they are willing to support you as a GEM Fellow, if selected. If you are currently pursuing a MS degree and are applying for the GEM PhD Fellowship, and plan to stay at the same institution, you still must apply to three (3) GEM Member Universities.
Please contact the GEM Office at 703-562-3639 to help you contact the appropriate GEM Employer representative. Then proceed to accept the fellowship and sign the acceptance form on-line as soon as you are prepared to accept the GEM Fellowship conditions.
During the GEM employer selection phase of the fellowship process, applicants may be contacted by multiple GEM employers that are interested in interviewing and potentially hiring the applicant as an intern as part of formal GEM Fellowship sponsorship support. At any point during this process, a GEM employer can select an applicant for sponsorship support. Once this occurs, no other GEM Employer can select the applicant. It is important to note in this process, that although we take the GEM applicants preferences in consideration, the GEM Employer has the first right of refusal. In summary, the GEM employer selects the desired applicant for sponsorship support; the applicant does not select the desired GEM employer.
Once the applicant has been selected by a GEM employer in our system, he/she has the option of accepting the internship and sponsorship support offer of the selecting GEM employer. If the GEM applicant chooses not to accept the internship offer, he/she is choosing to decline the GEM Fellowship and will not be eligible to be selected by another GEM employer; nor be eligible to be named as a GEM Associate or University Fellow.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All internships associated with confirmed GEM Fellowships MUST be completed over a 10-12 week period in the Summer (May – August, or September for universities on quarters). Internships that begin or extend beyond the start of the Fall term, when the GEM Fellow is required to begin or continue the on-campus graduate program, are NOT allowed without permission of the National GEM Consortium, and acceptance may result in ineligibility for confirmation and declining of the GEM Fellowship.
Your decision to delay accepting the GEM Fellowship prohibits the GEM Employer from seeking the best internship experience in a timely manner. Therefore, in the interest of the GEM Employer and other GEM Applicants, this is not an option.
If you are unsure about your graduate school plans, you should talk to your GEM Employer and University representative. The GEM University Representative, where you have been accepted for graduate school, may be able to defer starting your graduate program or you may be advised to decline the award and reapply when you are ready for graduate school. You cannot knowingly accept the GEM Fellowship with the intent to defer the start of graduate school to a later date.
Contact the GEM office and the GEM Representative at the university(ies) that did not admit you, and find out the reasons for your not being admitted. Discuss your options with the department, graduate school or GEM University representative. You may be advised to retake the GRE, or expand the list of graduate schools to consider. If you wish to request deferring the start of graduate school, discuss this possibility with your employer representative. The GEM office may be able to advise you of GEM Member Universities who are accepting late applicants. You may be advised to reapply for a GEM Fellowship when you are prepared to begin graduate school. Note, final deadlines for university acceptance with funding are communicated to eligible applicant that move forward in the confirmation process. Applicants that have not been confirmed at a GEM Member University by the published deadline may disqualify themselves from final confirmation as a GEM Fellow.
All funds are administered through the GEM University representative. Please make sure your eGEM account is up to date with internship evaluations, graduate course plan, and updated transcripts such that your GEM stipend can be remitted to your University. Please also meet with your GEM University Representative to determine their requirements to receive your stipend.
You must work for the employer that sponsored you for the GEM Fellowship. If you do not fulfill your obligation, you must decline your GEM Fellowship.
It depends on what is offered to you. While you may not accept a competing fellowship in addition to the GEM Fellowship, you are eligible to accept many supplemental fellowships. Please call the GEM Office for additional information.
