Nuclear Forensics Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Transcription

1 Nuclear Forensics Undergraduate Scholarship Program Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office The Nuclear Forensics Undergraduate Scholarship Program (NFUSP) provides scholarships to qualified undergraduate students pursuing degrees in scientific disciplines relevant to technical nuclear forensics. The NFUSP aims to build a viable student career path in nuclear forensics in order to cultivate the next generation of highly qualified scientists in the nuclear forensics field. APPLICATION DEADLINE Stipend to support nine-to-12-week summer research appointment at a Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory and project completion during the fall term Travel funds associated with performing laboratory work and participating in technical meetings Hands-on experience through unique summer research opportunities at the DOE national laboratories Close interaction with technical experts throughout the national nuclear forensics community SCUREF.ORG February 2, 2015 TO APPLY Apply electronically at MAILING ADDRESS South Carolina Universities Research and Education Foundation (SCUREF) Nuclear Forensics Undergraduate Scholarship Program (NFUSP) 1204 Whiskey Road, Suite F Aiken, SC QUESTIONS ELIGIBILITY: Students pursuing undergraduate degrees in nuclear and geochemical sciences, including but not limited to physics, chemistry, engineering, and material science, are eligible to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Tel bpirkle@scuref.org

2 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DOMESTIC NUCLEAR DETECTION OFFICE NUCLEAR FORENSICS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ACADEMIC YEAR: Student Application Deadline: February 2, 2015 Awards Announced: March 2015 Administered by the South Carolina Universities Research and Education Foundation This program description was prepared under Cooperative Agreement Number 2012-DN-130-NF0001 between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the South Carolina Universities Research and Education Foundation.

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Program Description 3 Related Technical Areas 3 Application Procedures 5 Scholarship Obligations 6 Participating Laboratories 8 Application Criteria 9

4 NUCLEAR FORENSICS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) established the Nuclear Forensics Undergraduate Scholarship Program (NFUSP) in 2011 to provide scholarships to qualified undergraduate students pursuing degrees in disciplines relevant to technical nuclear forensics, including physics, chemistry, nuclear engineering, and material science. Nuclear forensics is a top U.S. national security priority. Congress recognized the critical need for first-rate nuclear forensics experts to support this mission in the Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act (P.L ), which the President signed on February 16, In addition, world leaders highlighted the importance of international nuclear forensics cooperation during the 2010, 2012, and 2014 Nuclear Security Summits. Developing and sustaining an enduring expertise pipeline and workforce is one of the most important objectives of the nuclear forensics community today. As a key component of the broader National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program (NNFEDP), the NFUSP enables highly motivated students to gain hands-on experience through summer research opportunities at the Department of Energy national laboratories, including close interaction with technical experts throughout the national nuclear forensics community. Another benefit of the program is that it exposes scholars to future opportunities in nuclear forensics, such as the Nuclear Forensics Graduate Fellowship Program. The NFUSP aims to build a viable student career path in nuclear forensics in order to cultivate the next generation of highly qualified scientists in this critically important field. RELATED TECHNICAL AREAS The purpose of the NFUSP is to introduce outstanding undergraduate students to ongoing federal research and development work related to technical nuclear forensics, focused in the following areas: 1. Technical Mission Area 1 (TMA 1): Advancements in the analysis and characterization of nuclear and/or other radioactive materials, such as uranium and plutonium oxides and materials. Of particular importance are innovations in the speed, accuracy, and precision of determining the physical, chemical, isotopic, micro-structural, and/or morphological properties of materials. The U.S. Government is specifically seeking significant developments in the quantification of micro-structural and morphological measurements of bulk uranium and plutonium materials in both oxide and metal forms. 3

5 2. Technical Mission Area 2 (TMA 2): Improvements in the quantification, characterization, and analysis of nuclear and non-nuclear constituents in nonnuclear bulk material (such as detonation fallout debris). Following the detonation of a nuclear device, solid debris samples are expected to contain trace-level quantities of nuclear materials combined with material from the immediate environment around the detonation site, which may have been activated and is assumed to have been vaporized and recondensed. Solid fallout debris is typically in a glassy matrix containing parts per million (ppm) quantities of plutonium or uranium with radioactive fission products. Improved accuracy, precision, and speed of characterization of these nuclear and postdetonation debris materials are of particular interest. 3. Technical Mission Area 3 (TMA 3): General studies that improve our understanding of how relevant stages of the nuclear fuel cycle create, persist, or modify discriminating material characteristics in the metal or oxide forms of uranium or plutonium. Activities should focus on identifying discriminating characteristics that help assess the process history and provenance of bulk uranium and plutonium materials produced in the enrichment, conversion to oxides, and conversion to metal stages of the fuel cycle, and developing simulations that predict material characteristics from parameterized chemical processes. 4

6 APPLICATION PROCEDURES ELIGIBILITY Students pursuing undergraduate degrees in nuclear and geochemical sciences, including but not limited to physics, chemistry, engineering, and material science, are eligible to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. It is the policy of DHS and its program administrator, the South Carolina Universities Research and Education Foundation (SCUREF), to recruit and nominate participants without regard to race, age, gender, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, or special disabled or veteran status. APPLICATION DEADLINE The current competition cycle for this program is from November 2014 to February 2, SCUREF must receive all parts of the application by February 2, ACT/SAT scores are required for a complete application. Scores earned before 2004 will not be accepted. SCUREF will not process late and/or incomplete applications. Please include the scholarship program name on all correspondence. A complete application includes the following components: Application Form Official Transcripts Three (3) References ACT/SAT scores Proof of U.S. Citizenship (copy of birth certificate or U.S. passport) Forms are located at under the NFUSP tab. Applicants should submit all materials electronically through the SCUREF website. If you are unable to submit the application electronically, you may mail completed application materials to the following address: South Carolina Universities Research and Education Foundation Nuclear Forensics Undergraduate Scholarship Program 1204 Whiskey Road, Suite F Aiken, South Carolina For additional information or assistance, please contact Dr. Bill Pirkle at (803) , bpirkle@scuref.org or Gayle Bumgarner at (803) , gbumgarner@scuref.org. 5

7 SCHOLARSHIP OBLIGATIONS COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT Throughout the period of appointment, scholarship recipients must be enrolled full-time at a U.S. college or university. Scholars shall participate in a nine-to-12-week summer appointment at a national laboratory, performing study and research within the objectives of the DHS/DNDO nuclear forensics mission. The scholars will enroll in a research credit course during the fall term, during which time they will write and present a technical report detailing their research. LABORATORY ASSIGNMENT During the summer laboratory assignment, the scholar will develop a clear statement of a problem, conduct a review of literature related to this problem, and perform research utilizing laboratory methodology and protocol. The scholar, with the assistance of a laboratory mentor, will begin drafting a technical report within the summer work period. Scholars may attend the annual NNFEDP Academic-Laboratory Collaboration Meeting over the summer to present their initial research results to the broader nuclear forensics community, including technical and policy experts from academia, the national laboratories, and the federal government. Under the tutelage of a university faculty advisor during the fall term, the scholar will revise the draft scientific report into final form. By the end of the fall term, the scholar will deliver an oral presentation of the research to the university and laboratory staff and the DHS sponsors. The NFUSP also encourages scholars to present the results of their research at events hosted by the American Chemical Society, the American Nuclear Society, and other relevant professional organizations. PUBLICATIONS Scholars must provide copies of their research and a written evaluation of their experience to SCUREF. SCUREF will provide this information to the participating laboratories for review and comment, and will submit the final version to DHS. SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS The scholar will receive a stipend of $10,000 to support his or her summer research appointment at a national laboratory and project completion during the fall term. The NFUSP may provide additional funding to the scholar for travel costs associated with performing laboratory work and participating in technical meetings. SCUREF will allocate stipend and travel payments directly to the scholar. All awards and travel support are subject to the continuing availability of funds. If funding exists, faculty mentors may be eligible for a $2,000 allowance to cover partial salary or other expenses associated with this scholarship. NFUSP faculty mentors can contact the SCUREF office to request an eligibility form. 6

8 TERMS OF APPOINTMENT NFUSP appointments are part of the NNFEDP, codified in the Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act (P.L ). Scholars are required to acknowledge specific terms of appointment in accordance with this law. A scholarship recipient is expected to maintain a high level of academic standing, complete the nine-to-12-week research practicum at a Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory, and deliver a written and oral presentation of the research results. DHS/DNDO will work closely with the scholars, the laboratory staff, and SCUREF throughout the appointment to foster lasting professional relationships. SCUREF staff will identify faculty and laboratory mentors to work directly with the scholars, and SCUREF will lead the coordination of ongoing NFUSP activities on behalf of DHS. Applicants may request the full terms and conditions of this agreement by contacting SCUREF, and these terms will be included for review and signature in successful applicants official appointment documents. Upon completion of the program, SCUREF expects scholars to complete annual surveys to enable the federal sponsor to continually assess and evaluate the NFUSP. EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS SCUREF performs an initial review of applications to ensure all requested information is included. It is the applicant s responsibility to ensure that his or her application is complete. After the application deadline, SCUREF will distribute the 2015 NFUSP applications to an independent panel for review. Panel members are technical experts from the DOE national laboratories who are intimately involved in the U.S. Government nuclear forensics program. The panel evaluates applications based on academic performance, relevant coursework, ACT/SAT scores, career and goals statements, and references. Other factors, including geographical criteria and specific mission needs of the DHS nuclear forensics research program, are also considered. The number of scholarships awarded annually is contingent on the availability of funding. The panel then provides award recommendations to SCUREF. SCUREF submits the panel s recommendations to the program sponsor for consideration. DHS/DNDO conducts a final review of the applications and the panel s recommendations and selects the official NFUSP award recipients. SCUREF will announce award recipients and notify all applicants in March SCUREF is responsible for the daily administration of the NFUSP on behalf of the program sponsor; as such, SCUREF assists the scholars, laboratories, and universities with questions regarding stipends, laboratory assignments, travel, and related issues. 7

9 NUCLEAR FORENSICS UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PARTICIPATING LABORATORIES ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORIES IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL LABORATORY SAVANNAH RIVER NATIONAL LABORATORY SRNL.DOE.GOV/ Y-12 NATIONAL SECURITY COMPLEX 8

10 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DOMESTIC NUCLEAR DETECTION OFFICE NUCLEAR FORENSICS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM A complete application consists of: APPLICATION CRITERIA 1. Application Form (hand written applications will not be accepted) 2. Current Official Transcript of Grades (all official undergraduate transcripts must be sent to SCUREF by the registrar) 3. Three (3) Reference Forms (enclosed or submitted by referee) 4. ACT/SAT scores (sent directly from the reporting agencies ACT code 9067, SAT code ) 5. Proof of U.S. Citizenship (copy of birth certificate or U.S. passport) Please ensure all parts of the application are complete with proper signatures. Keep a copy of this application and supporting materials for your files. All applicants must submit the required information to SCUREF by February 2, It is the applicant's responsibility to check with SCUREF regarding the completeness of the application file. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Forms are located at under the NFUSP tab. Applicants should submit all materials electronically through the SCUREF website. If you are unable to submit the application electronically, you may mail completed application materials to the following address: South Carolina Universities Research and Education Foundation Nuclear Forensics Undergraduate Scholarship Program 1204 Whiskey Road, Suite F Aiken, South Carolina For additional information or assistance, please contact Dr. Bill Pirkle at (803) , bpirkle@scuref.org or Gayle Bumgarner at (803) , gbumgarner@scuref.org. *Application information will be used solely for the purpose of selecting participants and administering the program. Disclosure of this information is made subject to Public Law (the Privacy Act of 1974). 9

11 NUCLEAR FORENSICS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Applications from previous years or from other scholarship programs may not be used. Applications will be accepted through February 2 nd for scholarships beginning the following summer. A complete application consists of the following sections: 1. Application Form 2. References 3. Transcripts 4. SAT/ACT scores Please Note: All parts of the application must be received by February 2, Late and/or incomplete applications will not be reviewed for awards. 1. You cannot save the Application Form. You must first gather all of the information needed for this application, fill out the form, and then submit it. You will not be able to fill out parts of this form, save it, and come back to it later to complete it. Required fields have a red star next to them. If any required fields do not apply to you, please type N/A in that field. Please make sure that there is an answer in each one of the required fields or the form will not submit. Be aware that you must attach a copy of your birth certificate or passport in PDF form to this application form. 2. Please have three persons familiar with your academic preparation and your technical capabilities, preferably three faculty members who are familiar with your current academic work, fill out a reference form for you. Instruct them to: a. Go to b. Click on the NFUSP tab c. Complete and submit the reference form. 3. All official undergraduate transcripts must be ed, faxed or mailed to the address below directly from the university registrar: South Carolina Universities Research and Education Foundation Nuclear Forensics Undergraduate Scholarship Program 1204 Whiskey Road, Suite F Aiken, South Carolina Fax: gbumgarner@scuref.org 4. SAT/ACT scores must be sent directly from the reporting agencies. The SAT code is 7349 and the ACT code is Scores earned before 2004 will not be accepted. Contact gbumgarner@scuref.org or rhagen@scuref.org with questions or concerns.

12 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DOMESTIC NUCLEAR DETECTION OFFICE NUCLEAR FORENSICS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM DATA 1. Name: First Middle Last 2. Academic Status: Please indicate your academic status as of January ( ) Freshman ( ) Junior ( ) Sophomore ( ) Senior (graduating in December, 2015) EDUCATION INFORMATION List all previous universities or colleges attended as well as current institution. (The university registrar must directly mail or official transcripts. See the NFUSP Application Instructions for information.) 3. University Major Dates 4. Cumulative Undergraduate GPA: (based on four-point scale) 5. ACT or SAT Scores: (ACT or SAT scores must be sent directly from the reporting agency to the SCUREF office. The scholarship code for the ACT is The scholarship code for the SAT is See the NFUSP Application Instructions for information.) Please list the composite score of each part of the test. Include percentages, if available. BACKGROUND INFORMATION 6. Address (check one): ( ) Home ( ) School Street or Box Number: City: State: Zip: Phone:

13 APPLICANT S NAME: NFUSP 7. Are you a U.S. Citizen? Yes ( ) No ( ) 8. Are you a dual citizen? Yes ( ) No ( ) 9. If you are a dual citizen, in which other country do you hold citizenship? 10. Please attach a copy of your birth certificate or passport as proof of U.S. citizenship. 11. Extracurricular Activities List all technical societies and service organizations. Include offices held. 12. Academic Awards and Honors List significant pre-college and undergraduate honors and awards and provide a brief description of each. 13. Employment Record List current and/or most recent employment. Provide organization name and job title. 14. References Please submit three references from people familiar with your academic preparation and technical capabilities. At least two references should be from faculty members who are knowledgeable of your current academic work. Reference forms are located under the NFUSP tab on

14 APPLICANT S NAME: NFUSP 15. Previous Courses List all science, engineering, and mathematics courses that you have completed at all institutions listed in this application. Provide course title and number, hours earned, and letter grade*. An example is provided below. Use additional sheets, if necessary. Course Title and Number Hours Grade Example: Engineering A * If grades listed above are numeric, please indicate the scale on which they are based (e.g., 4 pt. or 5 pt.). 16. Current Courses List all courses in which you are currently enrolled. Provide title of course and number of hours. Course Title and Number Hours Example: Physics Planned Courses List all courses you plan to take prior to May Course Title and Number Hours Example: Chemistry 401 4

15 APPLICANT S NAME: NFUSP 18. Statement on Career Goals and Objectives Include a statement regarding your educational goals and how this program will influence your career plans. Please relate this to one or more of the Technical Mission Areas listed in the Program Description. This statement is critical to the overall evaluation of your application. Use an additional sheet if necessary, but limit the statement to two pages. Signature: Date: In providing this signature, I certify that the information provided in my application is complete and accurate. I acknowledge that I have read the application instructions and agree to abide by the terms outlined within them. The South Carolina Universities Research and Education Foundation (SCUREF), the University of South Carolina, and the Department of Homeland Security have the right to verify all information contained in this application and make reasonable inquiries should any doubts about my application arise. I understand that my failure to provide complete, accurate, and truthful information on this application may result in either the removal of the application or termination of the appointment. Submission constitutes an electronic signature. Application information will be used solely for the purpose of selecting participants and administering the program. Disclosure of this information is made subject to Public Law (the Privacy Act of 1974) and U.S. Department of Energy Regulations as published in the Federal Register on September 30, 1977, ff. This program application was prepared under Cooperative Agreement Number 2012-DN-130-NF0001 between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the South Carolina Universities Research and Education Foundation

16 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DOMESTIC NUCLEAR DETECTION OFFICE NUCLEAR FORENSICS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM REFERENCE FORM Three reference forms are required for a complete application and must be submitted to the address below no later than February 2, Please duplicate this form as needed. Please type or use blue or black ink. Applicant's First Name Middle Name Last Name How long and in what association have you known the applicant? PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Highest 10 % Highest 20% Mid- Level Lowest 20% Lowest 10% Inadequate Observation Imagination and Originality of Thought Ability to Work with Others Leadership Potential Independence and Self-reliance Growth During Total Period Observed Motivation Toward a Productive Career Technical Expertise Ability to Communicate (Written/Oral) Add any descriptive comments that will assist in providing a complete picture of the applicant s character, attitude, abilities, and potential for success to perform on a high level at a college or university. Please comment on the applicant s weak and strong points. Please do not write on the back of this form and do not staple. Use additional sheets if necessary. Comments: Signature: Typed/Printed Name: Address: Date: Title: Please submit forms electronically through the SCUREF website ( If you are unable to submit this form electronically, you may mail it to the following address: South Carolina Universities Research and Education Foundation Nuclear Forensics Undergraduate Scholarship Program 1204 Whiskey Rd. Suite F Aiken, SC

17 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DOMESTIC NUCLEAR DETECTION OFFICE NUCLEAR FORENSICS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM REFERENCE FORM Three reference forms are required for a complete application and must be submitted to the address noted below no later than February 2, Please duplicate this form as needed. Please type or use blue or black ink. Applicant's First Name Middle Name Last Name How long and in what association have you known the applicant? PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Highest 10 % Highest 20% Mid- Level Lowest 20% Lowest 10% Inadequate Observation Imagination and Originality of Thought Ability to Work with Others Leadership Potential Independence and Self-reliance Growth During Total Period Observed Motivation Toward a Productive Career Technical Expertise Ability to Communicate (Written/Oral) Add any descriptive comments that will assist in providing a complete picture of the applicant s character, attitude, abilities, and potential for success to perform on a high level at a college or university. Please comment on the applicant s weak and strong points. Please do not write on the back of this form and do not staple. Use additional sheets if necessary. Comments: Signature: Typed/Printed Name: Address: Date: Title: Please submit forms electronically through the SCUREF website ( If you are unable to submit this form electronically, you may mail it to the following address: South Carolina Universities Research and Education Foundation Nuclear Forensics Undergraduate Scholarship Program 1204 Whiskey Rd. Suite F Aiken, SC

18 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DOMESTIC NUCLEAR DETECTION OFFICE NUCLEAR FORENSICS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM REFERENCE FORM Three reference forms are required for a complete application and must be submitted to the address noted below no later than February 2, Please duplicate this form as needed. Please type or use blue or black ink. Applicant's First Name Middle Name Last Name How long and in what association have you known the applicant? PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Highest 10 % Highest 20% Mid- Level Lowest 20% Lowest 10% Inadequate Observation Imagination and Originality of Thought Ability to Work with Others Leadership Potential Independence and Self-reliance Growth During Total Period Observed Motivation Toward a Productive Career Technical Expertise Ability to Communicate (Written/Oral) Add any descriptive comments that will assist in providing a complete picture of the applicant s character, attitude, abilities, and potential for success to perform on a high level at a college or university. Please comment on the applicant s weak and strong points. Please do not write on the back of this form and do not staple. Use additional sheets if necessary. Comments: Signature: Typed/Printed Name: Address: Date: Title: Please submit forms electronically through the SCUREF website ( If you are unable to submit this form electronically, you may mail it to the following address: South Carolina Universities Research and Education Foundation Nuclear Forensics Undergraduate Scholarship Program 1204 Whiskey Rd. Suite F Aiken, SC