To
provide service-conditioned scholarships to individuals from disadvantaged
backgrounds who agree to pursue undergraduate education at accredited
institutions. Individuals must pursue a course of academic study
which prepares them for professions needed by the National Institutes
of Health (NIH). NIH expects to facilitate interest of these individuals
in pursuing careers in the biomedical/biobehavioral sciences at
the NIH.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
This
program will provide scholarships to individuals who are enrolled
or accepted for enrollment as full-time students at an accredited
undergraduate institution of higher education and who are from disadvantaged
backgrounds. Each recipient must agree by written contract to serve
as an NIH employee full-time for not less than 10 consecutive weeks
of each year during which the individual is attending the undergraduate
institution and receiving a scholarship; and, not later than 60
days after obtaining the educational degree, each recipient must
begin serving as a full-time NIH employee for one year for each
year of NIH scholarship support (a deferment of the service obligation
may be obtained if the Director, NIH, determines that such is appropriate).
Applicants must submit a proposed academic program for each academic
year and agree that this program will not be altered without prior
approval. The applicant must be in good academic (maintain a minimum
GPA of 3.5) standing with their educational institution for continuation
under the scholarship program. Maximum scholarship per academic
year is $20,000. Scholarship funds may only be used for tuition
expenses and qualified educational and living expenses incurred
while attending school.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: An eligible applicant must be (1)
A U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident; (2) enrolled or
accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited
undergraduate institution (4 year school) of higher education; (3)
from a disadvantaged background as determined by the Secretary of
Health and Human Services; (4) in good academic standing (minimum
GPA of 3.5 or be in the top 5 percent) with his/her educational
institution; and (5) submit an application to participate in the
Undergraduate Scholarship (UGS) Program; (6) agree to serve as a
full-time NIH employee for not less than 10 consecutive weeks of
each year during which the individual is attending the educational
institution and receiving a scholarship; (7) agree to serve as a
full-time NIH employee for 12 months for each academic year during
which the scholarship was provided, not later than 60 days after
obtaining his or her academic degree, unless a service deferment
is granted.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: Undergraduate students from disadvantaged
backgrounds pursuing academic programs supporting professions
needed by the NIH.
Credentials/Documentation:
Applicants must submit documentation of the following, as appropriate:
(1) Verification of enrollment or acceptance to an accredited
institution of higher education (4 year school); (2) a proposed
academic program for the school year; (3) certification from the
academic institution that the applicant is in good academic standing
(minimum GPA of 3.5, or be in the top 5 percent); (4) certification
from the academic institution that the applicant qualifies for
participation in an educational assistance program for individuals
from disadvantaged backgrounds as defined by the Secretary of
Health and Human Services; and (5) other documentation as may
be required by law, statute, or regulation.
Pre-application
Coordination: Students must be given a fair
summary of the rights and liabilities of applicants prior to application.
This summary is included in the application packet. Applications
are available directly from the program up to 6 weeks before the
application deadline. This program is excluded from coverage under
E.O. 12372. Applicants should request an application package from
the NIH's Office of Loan Repayment and Scholarship, 2 Center Drive,
Room 2E30, Bethesda, MD 20892-0230. Telephone: (800) 528-7689. Facsimile:
(301) 480-5481.
Application
Procedure: Application, a signed contract,
and other required information (as listed in the application packet)
are submitted to the Program office. Once an application package
is received by the administering Program Office, preliminary eligibility
will be determined and highly qualified applicants will be interviewed.
Final determination of awards will be made upon review by the
Undergraduate Scholarship Program Committee at a regularly scheduled
meeting.
Award
Procedure: Priority will be given to applicants
who are prior recipients. The NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Committee will review, rank, and approve or disapprove applications
submitted for program participation. Criteria which determine
competitive ranking for awards may include: (1) career goal in
biomedical/biobehavioral research; (2) academic performance; and
(3) letters of recommendation. A student's financial need alone
does not affect selection. Applicants approved for award will
be notified by the Program Director. The Secretary, and his/her
designee will sign the service contract of approved applicants,
provide a copy to the participant and under graduate institution
notice of approved award amount. Scholarship payments, including
room and board, books, fees and transportation are made to the
college or university for dispersal.
Deadlines:
Contact the Headquarters Office listed below for application deadlines.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: The approximate
time for approval/disapproval is 3 months.
Appeals:
None.
Renewals:
Annual renewal applications are required to extend the award.
Extensions of the scholarship award are subject to availability
of funds, acceptable academic and laboratory performance.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: This program has
no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Each award
covers 1 calendar year, and may be extended for an additional
3 years, for a maximum of 4 years. No awardee may receive more
than 4 years of support.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
Annual reports by schools indicating average student educational
expenses and academic status of students.
Audits:
None.
Records:
The NIH will maintain applicant records for 3 years after rejection
and participant records for 6 years after completion of final
service obligation.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 75-0846-0-1-552.
Obligations:
(Scholarships, Salaries and Benefits) FY 01 $315,021; FY 02 est
$620,000; and FY 03 est $620,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
Dollar assistance per scholar ranges from $14,641 to $49,500.
Average dollar assistance per contract is estimated to be $36,000.
Twelve awards were made in fiscal year 2001. Fifteen awards are
anticipated in fiscal year 2002. It is anticipated that 15 awards
will also be made in fiscal year 2003.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Pertinent information is contained in Public Law 103-43, Section
1631; and Section 487D of Public Health Services Act (42 U.S.C.
288-4).
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: Not applicable.
Headquarters
Office: Program and Business Contact: Marc
S. Horowitz, J.D., Office of Loan Repayment and Scholarship, National
Institutes of Health, 2 Center Drive, Room 2E24, Bethesda, MD
20892-0230. Telephone: (800) 528-7689. Facsimile: (301) 480-5481.
Web
Site Address: http://ugsp.info.nih.gov
EXAMPLES
OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Funded undergraduate students majoring in the following disciplines:
Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Microbiology,
Neurobiology, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology.
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
The NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program Committee will review,
rank, and approve or disapprove applications based on career goals
and academic performance. Priority will be given to applicants who
have demonstrated good academic performance, demonstrated a career
goal to pursue biomedical/biobehavioral research, and have characteristics
which support the likelihood they will complete their service obligations.
