Award Information
The Texas A&M University College of Engineering is offering fully-funded research positions for doctoral students beginning their doctoral program at Texas A&M. This up to four-year graduate research program will support doctoral research in defense-related technical fields beginning the fall of 2021. Students must be performing research in the areas of hypersonics, modeling and simulation, synthetic environments, artificial intelligence to support autonomous vehicles, or other closely related areas.
Each awarded position will include a $24,000 to 30,000 per year salary -- in addition to tuition, fees and health insurance -- and is intended for new doctoral students.
Program Details
- An up to four-year doctoral research program, offering research opportunities in the College of Engineering in defense-related technical areas.
- Research areas include: hypersonics, modeling and simulation, synthetic environments, artificial intelligence to support autonomous vehicles, or other closely related areas.
- An annual $24,000 to 30,000 salary, in addition to tuition and fees, and health care benefits.
- Up to two awards will be available for the 2021-2022 academic year. The program goal is to reach 25 awards for students across The Texas A&M University System.
Application Requirements
- GPA: 3.25 in relevant field of study
- Unofficial transcript
- Three letters of recommendation
- Interview
Additional Information
Applicants admitted and selected will be assigned to defense-related George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex (BCDC) research projects. For academic year 2021, these projects may include:
- Development of synthetic environments for the development of artificial intelligence-enabled, networked, autonomous vehicles; or
- Design, development, and operations of a hypersonic, directed energy and materials testing range.
Requirements
- Must be available to perform on-campus coursework and research support work throughout the award term
- U.S. citizenship
- Be admitted into a graduate program within the Texas A&M University College of Engineering
Criteria
Reviewers will consider the following:
- Academic performance and productivity while a student
- Potential impact of the student’s research and scholarly work on society
- Previous work experience
- Current or prior military or government service
- Character and background that might limit an applicant’s ability to obtain a security clearance
Application Procedure
BCDC National Security Fellow applicants will be required to apply for admission into a graduate program within a department of the Texas A&M University College of Engineering. See details regarding Texas A&M engineering graduate admissions.
In addition to the graduate program application, applicants must submit a separate fellowship application. Please include in the following order in one PDF file and submit to andeburks@tamu.edu. In the subject line please put “Name: BCDC Fellow Award Application.”
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Three letters of support
- One-page letter detailing areas of research interest
- Unofficial transcript
Application Timeline
Oct. 29, 2020 - Candidate Information Session via Zoom (email below for invite)
Dec. 15, 2020 - Texas A&M consolidated application system deadline for accepted fall 2021 candidates
Jan. 15, 2021 - BCDC application deadline
Feb. 1, 2021 - BCDC award notification for fall 2021 candidates (tentative)
April 15, 2021 - Offer acceptance deadline
For additional information, contact Robert "Brad" Brown at rbbrown76@tamu.edu.