Twelve University of Rochester students and seven alumni have been named recipients of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships. Additionally, 20 current students and recent alumni also were given honorable mentions by the NSF. The fellowship, which is part of a federally sponsored program, provides up to three years of graduate study support for students pursing doctoral or research-based master's degrees. Since the program's inception in 1952, it has supported nearly 50,000 students conducting research in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and selected social science disciplines. Of the more than 12,000 applicants, only 2,000 were awarded fellowships and 2,064 were given honorable mentions.

The fellowship includes a three-year annual stipend of $30,000, a $10,500 educational allowance to the institution, and international research opportunities. Danielle Benoit, assistant professor in biomedical and chemical engineering at Rochester, says that the financial support provides students the flexibility to attend conferences, participate in training programs, and travel to meet with other researchers in their field.

"For young students, earning an NSF fellowship really shows that they have substantial ability in conducting research," she explains. Benoit, who was awarded a Graduate Research Fellowship in 2004, says that by going through the application process, students also gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the fiscal side of research.

Belinda Redden, director of fellowships at Rochester, agrees that the application process is demanding. "It is a significant undertaking, requiring three separate essays on past research, proposed plan of research in graduate school, and a personal statement," says Redden. "I am very proud to see this level of success for Rochester students and alumni in such a prestigious fellowship competition; they are expected to be future leaders in their fields, and this early public affirmation of their potential is tremendously important."

The following graduating seniors received fellowships:

The following graduating seniors received honorable mentions:

The following graduate students received fellowships:

The following graduate students received honorable mentions:

The following recent alumni, who are currently pursing advanced degrees elsewhere, received fellowships:

The following recent alumni, who are currently pursing advanced degrees elsewhere, received honorable mentions: