Fellowship Bridge Program
The Fellowship Bridge Program is a flexible entry-level research program, designed to introduce student transfers into the research at their new program.
Students
Are you:
- A recent graduate (Bachelors or Masters)?
- Starting a new or advanced degree program (Bachelors, Masters, or Doctoral)?
- Transferring into an NDSGC-affiliated school?
- Interested in getting to know your new campus, department, and instructors?
- New to research, with little or no past experience?
Students who have earned an undergraduate degree, and are starting a new program at an NDSGC-affiliate program can apply for funding to complete entry-level research projects in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) fields. This program is open to students who are enrolling in a higher degree program at the same, or a different, NDSGC affiliate institution; this transition could be from A.S. to B.S., B.S. to M.S., B.S. to Ph.D., or M.S. to Ph.D. Residency on campus to complete the research project is encouraged, but not required, as virtual appointments are an option. Students participating in the Fellowship Bridge Program will receive a stipend that is proportional to the amount of work they propose (see below). Students interested in applying are strongly encouraged to contact the NDSGC to help with mentor pairings. Students with little or no research experience are encouraged to apply.
Deadlines
Rolling application window; please submit your application by the first day of each month.
Stipends
Students are not required to work 15 hours a week, as encouraged for the other NDSGC research programs. Stipends will reflect the amount of work decided between the advisor and advisee. Rates will remain proportional to the amount of time spent on the research:
Undergraduates: $225 / 15 hours
Graduate Students: $281.25 / 15 hours
Applicant Requirements
- Citizen of the United States
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Students who have completed a degree program and are enrolling in a higher degree program at an NDSGC affiliate institution
- Application Guidance
- Match with a Mentor Guidance
Example Student Scenarios
- A student who completed a two-year degree (A.S.) at Williston State College and is transferring to Dickinson State University to complete a four-year degree (B.S.) in Mathematics would be eligible to complete a summer bridge fellowship under a DSU faculty mentor
- A student who completed a four-year degree (B.S.) at Sitting Bull College and is enrolling in the graduate program (M.S.) in Environmental Science at the same college would be eligible to complete a summer bridge fellowship under an SBC faculty mentor
Past Recipients
| Name | Year | Field/School | Research Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Deckert | 2021 | Kinesiology, University of North Dakota | Work Envelope Assessment of Commercially Designed Extravehicular Space Suit |
| Kiley Neuman | 2018 | Pre-Physical Therapy, Bismarck State College | Apollo 11 - Historical Research on North Dakota's Involvement in the Apollo Program |
| Taylor Hewson | 2017 | Physical Therapy, University of North Dakota | Levels of Metformin in Soybeans |
Faculty
Faculty at four-year institutions are encouraged to nominate any incoming students, especially those interested in gaining hands-on research experience. The NDSGC is happy to help match the students with an appropriate mentor, to make each student's experience rewarding and effective. Research projects can be designed to match the specific length of time and student. If you are interested in serving as a mentor, the NDSGC is happy to connect you with a student researcher.