Welcome! The Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program-named after retired South Carolina Senator Ernest F. Hollings is in its fourth year of awarding scholarships. The two-year scholarships enable undergraduate college students to receive training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities; prepare students for public service careers with NOAA and other natural resource and science agencies at the Federal, state and local levels of government; prepare students for careers as teachers and educators; and improve environmental literacy.
Each year, approximately 100 two-year scholarships are awarded to eligible college sophomores, depending on final funding appropriations. The Hollings Scholarship Program provides competitively selected undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to $8,000) for full-time study during the 9-month academic year; a 10-week, full-time internship position ($650/week) during the summer at a NOAA facility; and, if reappointed, academic assistance (up to $8,000) for full-time study during a second 9-month academic year. The internship between first and second years of award provides "hands-on" multi-disciplinary educational training experience involving scholars in NOAA-related scientific, research, technological, policy, management, and education activities. Awards also include a housing subsidy ($137.50/week) for scholars who do not reside at home during the summer internship and travel expenses for attendance and participation at a mandatory Hollings scholarship orientation program, conference travel, and an end of summer internship presentation program.
As an applicant for the Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program you will complete the application online using a PC or Mac. The Online Application, will enable the applicant to check their eligibility and fill out the application in only one session. Prior to starting the application process, download the sample application below and instructions because there are essays and other information that must be completed during the online session. When you have completed the online application, you will have only one opportunity to modify the application responses, verify the responses, and to print a final copy of your application submission. The Application Instructions will help you with the logistics of this process. All work on the online portions of the application must be completed by 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on February 29, 2008. We expect that the application process will be smooth if you print the Application Form in advance and prepare your responses. Should you have technical questions or questions about the scholarship itself, please e-mail StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov.
Please note that the entire application packet including two Reference Forms and Official Transcript(s) must be received in the Office of Education, Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program offices or at StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov by 5:00 p.m. (EST) February 29, 2008.
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About the Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program
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PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program is: (1) to increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities; (2) to increase public understanding and support for stewardship of the ocean and atmosphere and improve environmental literacy; (3) to recruit and prepare students for public service careers with the NOAA and other natural resource and science agencies at the Federal, state and local levels of government; and (4) to recruit and prepare students for careers as teachers and educators in oceanic and atmospheric sciences and to improve scientific and environmental education in the United States.
PROGRAM GOAL
The goal of the NOAA Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program is to increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities; prepare students for public service careers with NOAA and other natural resource and science agencies at the Federal, state and local levels of government; prepare students for careers as teachers and educators; and improve environmental literacy.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The NOAA, Office of Education, Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program offers scholarship opportunities for rising junior year students in a four-year program and rising senior year students in a five-year program who are majoring in disciplines including, but not limited to, oceanic, environmental, and atmospheric sciences, mathematics, engineering, remote sensing technology, physical and social sciences including, geography, physics, hydrology, geomatics, or teacher education that support NOAA's programs and mission. Competitive appointments will be made to scholars to allow them to gain experience in hands-on research, science, and technology at approved NOAA offices and facilities.
NOAA competitively selects Hollings scholars to participate in a 10-week summer, stipend-supported, mentor-directed internship assignments at NOAA and affiliated partner facilities. The program covers scholars' travel to a mandatory NOAA Orientation in May 2008, at NOAA Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, and to approved NOAA offices and facilities where scholars participate in a 10-week summer internships conducting current research, science, technology, policy, or education activities.
Scholars are provided a list of NOAA internship opportunities located nationwide during the early-fall. The program requires that the scholar travel during their winter semester or quarter break to an approved NOAA site to select a summer internship. The site visit (not to exceed three days) provides the scholar with the opportunity to meet with the NOAA scientist and discuss a research project of interest to both NOAA and the scholar for the student's second summer internship. The scholar is also allowed time to seek housing for the summer internship during the site visit. Scholars complete a site visit form to the NOAA support contractor. The scholar returns to the NOAA approved site the last week of May to begin the 10-week summer internship.
BENEFIT
The Hollings Scholarship Program provides selected undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to a maximum of $8,000) for full-time study during the 9-month academic year; a 10-week, full-time internship position ($650/week) during the summer at a NOAA or partner facility; and, if reappointed, academic assistance (up to a maximum of $8,000) for full-time study during a second 9-month academic year. The internship between first and second years of award provides "hands-on" multi-disciplinary educational training experience involving Scholars in NOAA-related scientific, research, technological, policy, management, and education activities. Awards also include a housing subsidy ($137.50/week) for scholars who do not reside at home during the summer internship and travel expenses for attendance and participation at a Hollings scholarship orientation program, conference travel, and a final presentation week program.
THE SUMMER INTERNSHIP
It is a program requirement for all scholarship recipients to participate in a summer internship prior to the start of their senior year. Failure to participate in a summer internship will result in termination and removal from the scholarship program, and possible repayment of the funds to the program.
Scholarship recipients are required to select a NOAA mentor and project to participate in for the summer. Summer internship opportunities including the NOAA site, NOAA mentor with contact information, and a brief description of the project are made available to the scholars during the fall. All scholars are required to participate in a project that can be completed within 10 weeks. The NOAA scholar is required to e-mail the NOAA mentor their resume or curriculum vitae prior to the site visit.
Scholars are required to conduct their site visit (not to exceed three days) during the winter or spring break to meet with the NOAA mentor and staff, discuss and refine the project further, and determine summer housing and transportation requirements. After NOAA approves a site visit the NOAA support contractor coordinates and pre-pays travel and hotel stay, and reimburses car rental costs to the scholar. NOAA will not reimburse scholars who purchase their own airline or train ticket, hotel, or car rental without pre-approval from NOAA. Scholars must sign the lease if granted approval for car rental by NOAA. Scholars must submit all travel receipts for reimbursement to the NOAA support contractor. The NOAA support contractor will only reimburse scholars for receipts in the scholar's name. At the completion of the site visit, the scholar must submit the completed Site Visit Form to the NOAA support contractor.
The summer internship begins the last week of May and ends the first week of August for scholars attending colleges and universities on the semester systems. Exceptions are granted for scholars attending colleges and universities on the quarter system, who will be allowed to begin their internships during mid-June and end by mid-August. Scholars are required to complete a Project Plan during the first two weeks of the summer internship and submit the signed plan to the NOAA program staff. Regularly scheduled status reports are to be submitted to the NOAA program staff along with bi-weekly project training records. NOAA mentors are required to conduct a mid-term assessment by early July and a final evaluation at the end of the summer internship.
The program requires all students during the 10th week of the summer internship to travel to Silver Spring, Maryland, to present their project in a poster or Power point format to the NOAA scientific community; travel will be coordinated by the NOAA support contractor. NOAA will not reimburse scholars who purchase their own airline or train ticket, hotel, or car rental without pre-approval from NOAA.
Progress of the scholars is monitored throughout the academic years and during the summer internship. Under the program, Hollings scholars are provided opportunities for hands-on training and participation at NOAA offices and facilities.
NOAA competitively selects Hollings scholars to participate in a 10-week summer, stipend-supported, mentor-directed internship assignments at NOAA and affiliated partner facilities. The program covers scholars' travel to the NOAA Orientation at NOAA Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, and to approved NOAA offices and facilities where scholars participate in a 10-week summer internships conducting current research, science, technology, policy, or education activities.
Scholars are provided a list of NOAA internship opportunities located nationwide during the early-fall. The program requires that the scholar travel during their winter semester or quarter break to an approved NOAA site to select a summer internship. The site visit (not to exceed three days) provides the scholar with the opportunity to meet with the NOAA scientist and discuss a research project of interest to both NOAA and the scholar for the student's second summer internship. The scholar is also allowed time to seek housing for the summer internship during the site visit. Scholars complete a site visit form to the NOAA support contractor. The scholar returns to the NOAA approved site the last week of May to begin the 10-week summer internship.
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The Hollings Application Selection Process
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Submit completed applications online no later than February 29, 2008, by 5:00 p.m. (EST). Two References from professors must be completed online by the professors and received by the application deadline, February 29, 2008. Official Transcripts from each college and university attended must be received by February 29, 2008 at the Hollings Scholarship Program, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 10703, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.
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| March 29, 2008 |
Application review process completed |
| April 4, 2008 |
Scholarship recipients selected |
| April 4, 2008 |
Notification of scholarship recipients |
| May 26 - 31, 2008 |
Scholarship recipients travel to mandatory one-week NOAA
Orientation Program located in Silver Spring, Maryland |
| September 2008 |
Monthly academic stipends begin |
| October 1, 2008 |
Scholarship recipients begin selection process of summer internship site |
| Dec. 2008 - Jan. 15, 2009 |
Scholarship recipients travel to visit site of proposed internship to finalize selection |
| May 26, 2009 |
Summer internship begins, bi-weekly stipends begin |
| July 26 - 31, 2009 |
Scholarship recipients travel to mandatory Presentation Program |
| September 2009 |
Monthly academic stipends begin |
| May - June 2010 |
Scholarship Program ends |
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