Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program

Program Overview

The SCGSR program is open to current Ph.D. students in qualified graduate programs at accredited U.S. academic institutions who are conducting their graduate thesis research in targeted areas of importance to the DOE Office of Science. The research opportunity is expected to advance the graduate students’ overall doctoral thesis/dissertation while providing access to the expertise, resources, and capabilities available at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, CA. The supplemental award provides for additional, incremental costs for living and travel expenses directly associated with conducting the SCGSR research project at SLAC during the award period.

The SCGSR program supports outstanding U.S. graduate students to conduct part of their graduate thesis research at a DOE national laboratory/facility in collaboration with a DOE laboratory scientist for a period of 3 to 12 consecutive months, with the goal of preparing graduate students for scientific and technical careers critically important to the DOE Office of Science mission. 

The Office of Science expects to make approximately 95 awards annually with two different solicitation cycles. 

The supplemental awards are intended to cover incremental costs associated with living and travel expenses during the award period. Awardees are eligible to receive a monthly stipend in the amount of up to $3,600 for general living expenses. The actual monthly stipend amount will be based on an assessment of the individual's situation, with factors under consideration including, but not limited to: duration of proposed research, location of home residence, and concurrent federal funding (under normal circumstances, awardees will receive the maximum monthly stipend). Stipends are provided directly to the awardees through direct-deposit to the awardee's designated bank account.

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is a world-renowned laboratory with research opportunities in physics, chemistry, materials and environmental sciences, scientific computing, astrophysics and many engineering fields.

Eligibility

  • Must be currently pursuing a PhD degree in areas aligned with the mission of the Office of Science.
  • Must be 18 years or older at the time of applying.
  • Must be a US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.
  • Must have established a defined graduate thesis project and graduate thesis advisor.
  • The applicant’s primary graduate thesis advisor must provide a Letter of Support

Financial Support

The SCGSR program provides supplemental awards intended to cover incremental costs associated with living and travel expenses during the award period.  These include:

  • A monthly stipend of up to $3,600 for general living expenses.
  • Reimbursement for in-bound and out-bound travel expenses to SLAC. Awardees are eligible for travel reimbursement only if SLAC is greater than 50 miles from their home graduate institution. The reimbursement applies to transportation costs only.

Application Requirements 

  1. Required Fields of the Online Application System
  2. SCGSR Research Proposal
  3. Official Graduate Transcripts and Proof of Ph.D. Candidacy
  4. Two Letters of Support

How to Apply

  • Click here to learn if you meet the eligibility requirements.
  • Click here to learn more about the application process.
  • Eligible graduate students must apply online. Specify SLAC as your first-choice laboratory assignment.

Key Dates:

  • On-line application opens every August and February
  • Applications due November or May
  • Notifications happen in April/May or September 
  • Start dates vary earliest starting June or November
  • Please visit the SCGSR website for upcoming dates.

Research Opportunities

To learn more about the research conducted at SLAC, click here.

 

Questions

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact:

Hillary Freeman
STEM Education Program Manager