Fellowship
INFORMATION
The Hydro Research Foundation will provide opportunities and benefits to outstanding early career graduate students. Preference will be given to Mechanical and Electrical Engineering students.
Areas of interest include: Research Topics (pdf)
- Advances in Generators
- Transformers, and Electrical Systems
- Advances in Material Applications
- Protection of Critical Hydropower Infrastructure Including Cyber Security
- Market Trends & Strategies
- Project Implementation, Management and Operations
- Water Management Innovations
The program is funded by the Department of Energy and is managed by The Hydro Research Foundation. The Hydro Research Foundations intends to award 8-12 fellowships funded by the Department of Energy and industry partners. The fellowships will be awarded beginning June 15th, 2012.
- Eligible applicant must have completed at a minimum a bachelor’s degree by the start date of the fellowship.
- Applicant must be a full-time student at a U.S. university in one of the following programs: Masters Degree, or a post-Masters graduate research fellow.
- The expectation is that the applicant must be a full-time student who will be able to complete their Masters or a post-Masters graduate research fellow by December, 2013.
Benefits include the following:
- A living stipend of up to $26,000 annually
- An annual tuition allowance of up to $16,000
- An annual allowance of $900 to be used toward university-provided health insurance
- Travel costs to attend the Annual Hydro Fellows Roundtable in 2012 and 2013.
- The student’s academic advisor for the research will be awarded $2,000 annually into a University discretionary account, for aiding in, and supervising the research.
- Each student may have the opportunity to participate in an internship with an industry partner. These internships may result in employment for the Fellow.
- Upon Acceptance into the Fellowship Program
Once an applicant has been selected for the fellowship program, proof of acceptance into a graduate program and official transcripts will be required in order to receive funding. Applicants must also sign and return the Agreement Letter that indicates acceptance of terms for the program.
- Graduate Program Enrollment, Degree Progress & Academic Performance
Throughout the fellowship, Fellows must remain full-time students at a U.S. University. During the course of the fellowship program, the Fellow must demonstrate progress towards finishing their degree and remain in good standing with their University.
Each Fellow is committed to conducting independent research projects in conjunction with the thesis/dissertation required for their graduate degree.
- Hydro Fellows Roundtable Conference
Each selected Fellow will be required to participate at the annual Hydro Fellows Roundtable Conference over the next three years. The next conference is in Louisville, KY July 15-20th, 2012. The Hydro Research Foundation will cover travel expenses to the round table.
- Research
Fellows will be required to commit the research time as outlined in the proposal to the program and provide quarterly updates on research progress and maintain satisfactory academic performance. The quarterly reports will be verified and signed by the Fellow’s research advisor. The Foundation expects that research will be complete and published within one year.
- Internship
Each Fellow may have the opportunity to work with an industry partner as an intern. Depending on the research and location of the University, there are different opportunities available. This is to be worked out with the Fellow and Academic Advisor prior to final award of the Fellowship. These internships may result in employment for the Fellow. Internship opportunities that may be available to Fellows are with Knight Piésold, US Army Corps of Engineers, and the US Bureau of Reclamation.
Application Evaluation
Each applicant’s submission will be evaluated using the following selection criteria.
Hydro Fellowship Selection Criteria
1. Applicant:
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40% |
2. Project:
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35% |
3. Institutional support and references:
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25 % |
- All application materials must be received by March 1, 2012.
- Applicants will be notified of application status April 4th, 2012.
- Funds will be available to Fellows starting June 15th -September 1st, 2012.
Hydro Fellows Roundtable Conference
Each selected Fellow will be required to participate at the annual Hydro Fellows Roundtable Conference over the next two years. The first conference is in Louisville, KY July 15th-20th, 2012. The Hydro Research Foundation will cover travel expenses to the round table.