GEM is a unique and powerful connection to a national network of universities and employers (corporations and national laboratories). GEM primarily connects highly qualified students from underrepresented groups to STEM graduate programs with much-needed financial support that is often the deciding factor in pursuing graduate education.
The GEM consortium consists of over 120 of the top universities in the country all dedicated to scientific impact and knowledgeable of the role that diversity can play in driving that impact.
Throughout the year GEM hosts physical as well as virtual events designed to raise awareness and train individuals on the various ways that they can make a scientific impact through GEM. Some of these allow universities to get a pulse on the challenges facing URMs in STEM.
Our university members represent the foremost institutions in the country, from the top-ranked Science and Engineering programs, IVY leagues, HBCUs, MSIs, and HSIs.
GEM University Members provide a top-level commitment to the GEM Consortium and recognize the Fellowship Programs as an important vehicle for the GEM Fellow’s personal development and academic achievement.
Each University Member appoints a well-qualified Board Representative who understands and is interested in the objectives of the GEM Consortium. The representative is skilled in graduate student recruitment and retention. The Board Representative has energy and interest in promoting GEM programs and participating in the GEM Fellow selection process.
GEM University Members each pay a $2,500 per year sustaining membership fee and provide full tuition and fees for GEM Fellows enrolled at their university.
The GEM University Representative must have an eGEM account. If the GEM University Representative does not have an eGEM, please contact the GEM office at [email protected] for assistance.
The application cycle opens every year on July 1. (Active GEM Universities have year-round access to the GEM database.) We recommend mining the database after key milestones (e.g., October 1 – early consideration deadline; the Monday the week before Thanksgiving week or the second week of November, whichever is the earliest- complete application deadline; January 15th – deadline for GEM applicants to submit a complete application directly to a minimum of three (3 )GEM Member Universities). The GEM office will send an announcement to GEM University Representatives on each milestone date to remind Representatives that it’s a good time to mine the database for their specific recruiting needs.
There are three types of GEM fellows. Member Universities determine which type of GEM fellows they will support at their institution.
What’s included in each Fellowship Award Package by Designation
The funding for the GEM M.S. Fellowship is up to four semesters or up to six quarters. During the enrollment period, the GEM University Representative is responsible for ensuring that the GEM M.S. Fellow’s tuition and fees are paid and the stipend is disbursed in a timely manner. The GEM University Representative should also monitor the academic progress of GEM M.S. Fellows.
The funding for the GEM Ph.D. Fellowship is up to and including the 5th year of the doctoral 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 and including 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. During the enrollment period, the GEM University Representative is responsible for ensuring that the GEM Ph.D. Fellow’s tuition and fees are paid and the stipend is disbursed in a timely manner. The GEM University Representative should also monitor the academic progress of GEM Ph.D. Fellows.
Admission of universities to membership in the GEM Consortium is by invitation of the Board of Directors. Consideration is given to the strength of the school’s graduate programs, an expressed interest in the purpose of GEM, and the school’s overall interest in the education of under-represented domestic STEM students. Each University Member appoints a well-qualified Board Representative, who is committed to student success and is willing to promote GEM and graduate education to the campus community. Proposals are submitted to the GEM Office using the University Application PDF form.
Agreement forms will be provided to new consortium members, if the application is accepted.