Graduate Research Scholars Program

Graduate students represent the next generation of researchers and innovators; they are a critical human resource needed to advance Alabama’s goals for economic develop through scientific research and innovation. The Graduate Research Scholars Program (GRSP) was established in 2006 by the Alabama State Legislature with the following goals:

To strengthen and enhance the research capacity of ALEPSCoR institutions by positioning them to be competitive in attracting eminent senior faculty
To retain the brightest and best graduate students for careers in disciplines related to science and engineering in Alabama
To provide highly trained professionals to support the growth of emerging technology companies in Alabama

The success of the GRSP program in promoting the education and careers of its most talented graduate students cannot be overstated.

Campus Coordinators Round 16 Awardees FAQ Success Stories/Videos

Frank F. Bartol, PhD

Auburn University
(334) 844-3700

Suzy Young, PhD.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville
256-824-3448

Zhengtao (Z.T.) Deng, PhD

Alabama A&M University
(256) 372-5560

Christopher Lawson, PhD

The University of Alabama at Birmingham
205-975-5059

Audrey N. Matthews, PhD

Alabama State University
(334) 229-4467

John Steadman, PhD

University of South Alabama
(251) 460-6206

Tim Haskew, PhD

University of Alabama
(205) 348-6408

Shaik Zainuddin, PhD

Tuskegee University
(334) 724-4222

The current round for the Graduate Research Scholars Program is Round 16. Round 17 will begin mid-Aug 2022.

Alabama A&M University

Lam Duong
Sharvare Palwai
Mersaydes Goodson

Alabama State University

Brennetta Crenshaw
Ayodeji Ipinimoroti

Auburn University

Andricus Burton
Wenqi Cao
Adam Pfeifle
Jialing Shen

Tuskegee University

Nahid Antu-Hossain
Amber Kinnebrew
Farin Rahman
Lyndon Smith
Azizi Turner

University of Alabama

Sungyoon Kim
Sajid Ahmed
Shelby Critcher
Polina Bombina

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Christopher Phillips
Thanh Chi Vu
Hoque Nabil
Zabed Iqbal
Muntaseer Bunian
Tanzeela Mitha

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Taiaba Afrin
Guimu Guo
John Schoelz
Kallol Chakrabarty
Md Raiful Hasan
Bibek Dhami

University of South Alabama

Jubaer Alam
JeffreyDeMeis
William Oswald
Pavithra Srinivas
Jon Hastings

How do I apply?

The GRSP is a competitive program. Awards are based on number of submissions, quality of proposals, and evaluation by a selection committee. Each year the GRSP Request for Proposals (RFP) is distributed to EPSCoR funded Principal Investigators in the state; they in turn distribute the RFP to eligible students.

Does my advisor have to be EPSCoR funded?

Yes

What are the deadlines?

The deadline to apply for the GRSP is usually in March.

What is a typical award amount?

Awards can amount up to $25,000 per student.

How many awards are available each year?

The number of awards is determined by the amount of funds available, and changes each round.

Who is eligible?

Participation is open to students at all ALEPSCoR universities with the following qualifications:

Their faculty advisor is funded by an EPSCoR related grant and has no more than two GRSP funded students at a time.
Their proposed research or field of study and career interests are congruent with the funded science and technology EPSCoR programs of the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, National Aeronautics Space Administration, US Department of Agriculture, and Environmental Protection Agency.

What are the requirements of the award?

Students must meet the following requirements:

Work under the supervision of an EPSCoR funding Principal Investigator
Maintain a GPA of 3.0/4.0 scale during the GRSP funding period
Devote themselves to graduate study and research during the tenure of the award
Conduct themselves in accordance with performance standards established by their institution
Presentation their research
Complete required reports

Where can I find the application?

Each year the GRSP Request for Proposals (RFP) is distributed to EPSCoR funded Principal Investigators in the state; they in turn distribute the RFP to eligible students.

How do I know if I was granted an award?

After the selection process (which usually takes place in May), you will be contacted by your institution’s GRSP campus coordinator with the amount that you have been awarded. The award will begin the following fall semester. If not awarded, you will receive a declination letter from your campus coordinator.

I have more questions, who do I contact?

Please contact your campus coordinator for your university.

To scroll through our GRSP Success Story videos, hover your mouse over the video to reveal two arrows (one on the right and one on the left). Click the arrow to browse through the videos.

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$17,100,000

Research Grants

588

Awards

340

Awardees

294

Degrees