The NASA Harriett G. Jenkins Pre-doctoral Fellowship Project (JPFP) was developed in 2000 with a mission to increase the number of underrepresented persons with master's and doctoral degrees in the NASA pipeline, and ultimately in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce. Each year the project supports up to 20 fellows. For ten consecutive years, JPFP has employed a holistic approach to graduate student preparation by successfully addressing the need for supporting, mentoring, coaching and nurturing students during their graduate school experience. This holistic approach, coupled with professional development training, undoubtedly makes the JPFP one of the most unique and competitive graduate fellowship programs available.
JPFP Accomplishments:
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Since inception, the JPFP has placed 191 outstanding scholars into NASA's educational and workforce pipeline.
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The JPFP is highly competitive in that over 3500 qualified applicants have been reviewed and considered for 191 funded slots.
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To date, the JPFP has produced 66 Ph.D.'s and 62 Master's students, surpassing the goal of producing 100 STEM advanced degree graduates before the end of 2010.
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Ninety-six percent (96%) of the JPFP advanced degree graduates have reported employment in the Aerospace/STEM industry or STEM Academia field.
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The Aerospace industry employs more than 90 JPFP Fellows with 19 currently employed with NASA.
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A total of 131 JPFP Fellows from Cohorts 1-9 have enjoyed hands on research experiences at NASA Installations as a component of the Fellowship.
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Of the NASA Student Ambassadors selected since 2008, 9 have been JPFP Fellows.
Fellowship Components:
- Tuition/Stipend Support:
- $8500 Tuition Offset
- Annual Stipend $22,000 Ph.D. Fellows, $16,000 Master's Fellows
- Center-based Research Experience:
- $7000 stipend for 10 week research experience
- Professional Development
- Annual Symposium
- Leadership Development Training
- Cohort Collaborative Community
- Networking
- Peer-to-Peer Mentoring
- Alumni Advocacy
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
"I cannot say enough great things about this program. I am truly impressed by the high caliber of the students selected each year and the efforts made to develop us into leaders in our respective fields..."
— Christian Braneon, Cohort 6
"I expected that I would simply receive a check in the mail and a letter telling me how the program was excited to be supporting my education. Instead, there was a feeling of belonging to a family that served as a support group."
— Bryan Reid, Cohort 3
"This life changing experience as a JPFP recipient resides and is deeply lodged in my heart. As a Cohort 1 fellows, I have had the opportunity to meet some of the world's greatest gifts (i.e. researchers, professors, entrepreneurs, etc.); an opportunity of this magnitude...Priceless!"
— Dr. Tatangla S. Coleman, Cohort 1
