GAANN Graduate Fellowships in Biology

Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Program
Supported by the U. S. Department of Education GAANN Program

We are proud to announce our ability to offer 6 full fellowships to qualifying students in pursuit of a Ph.D. in Biology at UMass - Boston. The GAANN fellowship is intended to train graduate students who will excel as teachers and scholars in their field. Fellowships are awarded based on prior academic performance and financial need. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Department of Biology at UMass - Boston, has 24 faculty members, approximately 60 graduate students and about 500 undergraduates. The research expertise of our faculty covers a wide array of disciplines including: Biochemistry, Biodiversity, Cell Biology, Conservation Biology, Developmental Biology, Endocrinology, Evolutionary Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Neurobiology, Physiology, Plant Sciences, Population Biology, Reproductive Biology, and Pedigological Research.

UMass Boston's Department of Biology trains students through advanced study in separate courses of study designed to focus on particular student needs and career plans.

Our graduate programs meet the needs of those students who prefer advanced interdisciplinary training that is generally more flexible than programs offered elsewhere

Program Features:

Fellowship Support:

Stipend:
The stipend level for a GAANN fellowship is currently $21,500/yr.

Tuition:
Tuition costs (including all supporting fees) will be covered in full for GAANN fellows for the duration of the fellowship.

Annual Allowances:
Each fellow will receive $4,000 for research supplies (field supplies, chemicals, enzymes, etc.) In addition, each fellow will receive an annual allowance of $1,000 for educational expenditures including books and educational supplies. Each fellow will also receive an annual allowance of $1,000 for travel to professional meetings.

Academic Standing:
Fellows must maintain full-time status and a commendable GPA. Fellows will be engaged in full-time coursework or research during the year (including the summer semesters).

Research Experience:
Fellows will conduct research in faculty labs within the Department of Biology, at the UMass – Boston Harbor Campus. The Department is large and integrated. A key feature is the absence of barriers between disciplines: We teach courses and undertake research across the whole spectrum of modern Biology. The mission of our Department is to provide high quality education in biological sciences to our students, to advance the body of scientific knowledge through scholarly research, and to provide technical and educational expertise locally, nationally and internationally.

The Biology Department's well-equipped research laboratories support a broad spectrum of research interests within the biological sciences. In addition, ample field equipment, boats, a greenhouse, and other support facilities are available. Facilities for environmental field studies include the Waltham Agricultural Station and the UMass – Boston Nantucket Field Station on Nantucket Island.

Supervised Teaching Experience:
Fellows will receive experience in laboratory teaching in their first year, and in a supervised classroom setting in a later year. Each GAANN Fellow will be matched with a faculty mentor who will act as an advisor/mentor in instruction.

Eligibility:
Applicants must have applied to the departments graduate program, and must have excellent academic achievement, as demonstrated by an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.1, with a GPA of 3.5 in their last two years, and GRE scores in the 70th percentile.

Applicants must have demonstrated motivation, initiative, and performance, as evidenced by a detailed personal statement, letters of reference, and previous research and scholarly activities.

Applicants must have demonstrated financial need, based on information supplied on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA, per part F Title IV of the Higher Education Act). Most graduate students should qualify.

Applicants must either 1) be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the U.S.; 2) be citizens of one of the Freely Associated States, or 3) show evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service that they are in the U.S. for other than a temporary purpose and have the intention of becoming permanent residents.

Application Procedure:
To formally apply for this fellowship program, you should:

1. Submit an application to the University (http://www.umb.edu/admissions/graduate/index.html)
2. As part of the application, students must write a personal biography. Describe in this statement why you are requesting a GAANN Fellowship, your area of interest in Biology, your interest in teaching after graduation, and any outstanding characteristics or achievements that would indicate your potential success in your career. You should also include in your essay the names of faculty members whose research area and interests match your own. One will become your dissertation director.
3. Before a GAANN fellowship can be initiated, evidence of financial need is required. This is not required at the time of application, but students who are selected must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and show financial need before they can receive the award. The FAFSA can be completed on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. To expedite the selection process, please submit the FAFSA as soon as possible, listing UMass - Boston as a recipient (school code 002222, step 5 of the FAFSA). For further information, contact the UMass - Boston Financial Aid Office (617-287-6300).