QSEC Graduate Research Fellowship
The Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSEC) of George Mason University (Mason) hereby announces its interest in receiving applications for support of work in order to advance the QSEC’s graduate research and collaboration in the areas of quantum materials, quantum computing, and quantum sensing. Successful applications will outline an innovative approach to a significant scientific or technical challenge in these areas that can be achieved by the combination of multiple disciplines, and nominate a graduate student candidate to execute the approach and lead the research efforts. Preference will be given to projects that align with QSEC’s interest areas, that provide a plan for pursuing external funding, and those drive collaborations between QSEC members.
Estimated Funding
Three graduate research fellows will be selected to receive the AY2022-2023 QSEC Graduate Research Fellowship. The fellowship will provide 50% of the graduate research fellows’ stipend, 100% of the health insurance coverage, and 100% of the tuition and mandatory fee from fall 2022 to spring 2023.
Eligibility Information
The eligibility requirements are in place to ensure that the funds will be used to advance QSEC’s long-term interest in transdisciplinary, collaborative quantum research. To be eligible to submit a fellowship application, the proposed project must meet the following requirements:
1. The proposed research project of the graduate student is a collaboration led by one or more QSEC PIs. External collaborators can serve as co-PIs.
2. PIs are limited to sponsoring a total of two (2) different fellowship applications under this funding opportunity.
3. If awarded, the fellows can elect to cover 1) 50% of the annual stipend, 2) 100% fall 2022 stipend, or 3) 100% spring 2023 stipend with the QSEC fellowship. In the first case, a fully-funded graduate research assistantship is required.
Content and Application Forms
The application must include the following components:
- Cover page (1 page, sample attached)
- Candidate, PIs/mentors, and affiliations
- Budget
- Student background and advising plan
- Research Statement (up to 2 pages with Times New Roman font size 11, single spacing, 1” margin)
- Background and motivation
- Technical Approach
- Relevance and benefits to the QSEC (research, collaboration, education, external fund, etc.)
- Bibliography and References
- Biographical Sketch of the applicants (up to 2 pages each)
- Other documents (OPTIONAL – Letters of Support (NSF format), External FOA, etc.)
The application package should be submitted by email to [email protected] by April 4, 2022, 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
You can find the application form at the following link:
Review Process
The evaluation of proposals will be conducted with both external reviewers and QSEC leadership. QSEC plans to make selections from those applications judged to have the highest overall merit, with equal consideration given to each of the following criteria:
Strength of the Scientific/Technical Approach, as evidenced by
(1) the innovativeness of the idea and the approach; and
(2) the significance of the scientific or technical challenge and the thoroughness of the presentation.
Ability to competently carry out the project, as evidenced by
(1) the qualifications of the candidate, the PIs, and the level of adequacy of resources; and
(2) the soundness and level of adequacy of the research statement and advising plan to show progress toward proving the feasibility of the concept.
Impact and benefit to the QSEC, as evidenced by
(1) the significance of the technical and/or collaborative benefits of the proposed work, if successful; and
(2) the likelihood that the proposed research will stimulate external funding applications. List possible future funding opportunities if available.
For any general inquiry of this funding opportunity, please direct your questions to Patrick Vora ([email protected]) or Fangyu Cao ([email protected]).