Georgia Tech Enhancing Science, Technology, EnginEering, and Math Educational Diversity (GT-ESTEEMED) Scholarship and Educational Program is a federally funded initiative by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as an integrated plan and pipeline designed to build future researchers in biomedical engineering and biomedical sciences, recruited from groups that are historically underrepresented in STEM. Underrepresented groups include racial or ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, those from underprivileged backgrounds, as well as the intersections of these categories.
We seek applicants who are ready and excited about pursuing a path towards a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in a health sciences/biomedical engineering field. GT-ESTEEMED scholars will receive financial support ($12,000/year) during their freshman and sophomore years to those committed students eager to become part of an elite cohort, which will be given exceptional opportunities and significant obligations on top of the usual curricular load to prepare them for maximal success, high academic achievement, and experiences to set them on a successful track. There is additional funding available to support scholar travel and summer research experiences. After the first two years, GT-ESTEEMED scholars will transition to an honors program at Georgia Tech until they finish their degrees.
GT-ESTEEMED scholars are expected to attend a GT-ESTEEMED specific summer bridge program at Georgia Tech called Building ESTEEMED for two weeks in early June that will introduce scholars to hands-on lab research with open-ended problem solving and cohort building, including a $2000 stipend for award. Then they will participate in the Georgia Tech Summer bridge program CHALLENGE from mid-June through end of July which introduces students to classes and the coursework rigor to prepare freshman for Georgia Tech classrooms.
During the school year, some of the mandatory activities exclusive to GT-ESTEEMED scholars include:
1) Weekly ESTEEMED meetings
2) required cohort study sessions
3) individual and small group meetings with professors
4) extended, mentored laboratory research experiences
5) journal club reading
6) leadership opportunities
7) blogging assignments
8) travel/participation in national scientific research conferences.
Eligibility:
1) You must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident, and a member of an underrepresented group as defined by the National Science Foundation (NSF): Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander. Individuals with disabilities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.
2) You must be accepted into Georgia Tech and have committed to attend as a first time entering freshman in a bio-related science or engineering discipline or with intentions of applying your major towards a biomedical related research field.
