Home » UK math department receives $559,626 National Science Foundation grant

UK math department receives $559,626 National Science Foundation grant

Will fund new Graduate Scholars in Mathematics program

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 19, 2014) – University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto announced on that the university’s Department of Mathematics has been awarded a $559,626 National Science Foundation grant to fund the new Graduate Scholars in Mathematics program. The funding will be dispersed through July 2019.

UK Department of Mathematics photo.
UK Department of Mathematics photo.

The program will support incoming mathematics graduate students at UK, including first-generation and Appalachian students, for the critical first two years of doctoral study, with a goal of helping to build a more diverse community of mathematicians.

Graduate Scholars in Mathematics (GSM), accepting applications until Jan. 15 and launching in fall of 2015, will provide rigorous pre-professional training in advanced mathematics, provide participants with an early introduction to research in mathematics and develop their academic leadership skills.

“Research and graduate education are fundamental parts of the University of Kentucky’s mission, and support from the National Science Foundation will help UK’s Department of Mathematics build critical capacity in its graduate program,” Capilouto said. “The Graduate Scholars in Mathematics program will broaden access for underrepresented students interested in STEM fields – helping to build a diverse group of scholars at UK and preparing students for successful careers after graduation.”

Each GSM fellow will receive:

  • A $5,000 scholarship and reduced teaching responsibilities in the spring term of the first year of residency.
  • Professional development modules on research tools, grant writing, communicating mathematics, and career options in the mathematical sciences.
  • An intensive learning seminar to prepare for preliminary examinations in June of the first year.
  • A $5,000 summer fellowship and REG (Research Experiences for Graduates) summer program after successful completion of the first year.
  • A $5,000 scholarship in the spring term of the second year of residency.
  • A $5,000 summer research fellowship and supervised research with a faculty member after successful completion of the second year of residency.
  • Close interaction with successful alumni in academe, industry, and government through teleconferencing and social media.