Program Overview

This Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program is aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of underrepresented students successfully completing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) baccalaureate degree programs, and increasing the number of underrepresented students interested in, academically qualified for and matriculated into programs of graduate study. The Texas A&M University System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (TAMUS LSAMP) Bridge to the Doctorate (BTD) program is designed to (1) retain BTD fellows into doctoral programs with funding after completion of the NSF BTD program (Master’s degree), (2) prepare fellows to meet the challenges of completing doctoral programs of study and for possible academic careers in higher education, and (3) develop the leadership skills necessary for them to succeed as young underrepresented minority professionals upon completion of doctoral program of study.

Program Requirements

In order to ensure that students’ participation is educationally meaningful, students are required to:

• Pursue a Master’s Degree (thesis option) or PhD

• Attend periodic academic, personal and professional development workshops

• Attend the alliance-wide TAMUS LSAMP Symposium to present their work as a TAMUS LSAMP BTD program participant

• Take the CITI Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research Training course online

• Attend NSF-sanctioned meetings

• Interact regularly and frequently with their faculty research mentors and/or advisors

• Report research progress on a semester basis

• Maintain full-time enrollment as a graduate student (9 credit hours in fall and spring semesters)

• Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher at the end of each semester and 3.0 cumulative GPA

• Contribute personal and academic stories, photos, and advice for younger students

Program Eligibility

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident

• Accepted into a Master’s (thesis option) or Doctorate program in NSF-eligible STEM program

• Be in good academic standing

• Entering as a first-time graduate student

• Possess an interest in research

• Completed an undergraduate degree at an LSAMP institution

Program Benefits

• An annual stipend in the amount of $32,000 (prorated over 9 or 12 months) each of two years.

• An allotment of $10,500 distributed in fall and spring semesters for the cost of education expenses (e.g., tuition and required fees, student health insurance, research supplies, educational travel, and fees for publication and conferences) for each of two years.

• Networking opportunities with other students within the Texas A&M University System.

• Opportunities to improve research and presentation skills.