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EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship Program - Financial/Societal Impact of Space Weather

The NOAA Educational Partnership Program (EPP) with Minority Serving institutions (MSI) Undergraduate Scholarship provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to study a wide range of science, engineering, mathematical, computer, technology and social science disciplines related to NOAA’s mission and objectives. Scholarships are awarded competitively to rising juniors or 4th year students in a 5-year program, who are full time students attending accredited Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) within the United States and U.S. territories.

The scholarship is awarded for two years of undergraduate study in fields related to NOAA’s mission critical sciences. Scholars are required to participate in two internships at approved NOAA offices and sites during the summers prior to their senior year. During the internships portion of the award, the scholar is provided opportunities for hands-on research at participating NOAA facilities. Scholars receive financial assistance for two academic years, a bi-weekly stipend and housing allowance during summer internships.

Eligibility

An applicant for the EPP/MSI USP must:
  • be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
  • be enrolled full-time at an accredited MSI within the United States or U.S. territory.
  • be majoring in a field of study related to NOAA's missions and goals.
  • have and maintain at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average per academic term on a 4.0 scale in all completed undergraduate courses and in their major field of study. Current community college students may apply if accepted and will transfer to a 4-year institution in the fall term following the application period, and will have sufficient credit hours transferred to qualify for junior class academic status.


Benefits

The EPP/MSI scholar receives:
  • An EPP/MSI USP scholarship of up to $45,000 is awarded to successful scholars. The award includes housing allowances, internship stipends for two experiences, allowable travel expenses over the two years of the appointment and costs associated with attendance at Program-approved conferences or workshops.
  • Financial assistance during 9-month academic year to support college costs.
  • A bi-weekly stipend and housing allowance during the summer internships. The budget includes a $700 per week stipend for the summer internship, a housing allowance of $300 per week, and round trip transportation to the internship site.


Financial/Societal Impact of Space Weather Opportunity

a. Introduction:
Space Weather comprises the conditions in Earth’s space environment that may be damaging to human health or to technological systems deployed in space and on the ground. It is driven primarily by several types of solar activity.

A number of solar disturbances are capable of generating space weather disturbances at Earth including events called magnetic storms. These in turn may disrupt operations of satellite systems and electric-power grids, among others.

NOAA is preparing the Space Weather Follow On – Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) to be launched in 2024 and to replace the ailing SOHO and ACE spacecraft which currently provide operational data. SWFO-L1 will study CMEs and the solar wind.

b. Hypothesis/Objectives:
The intern will develop a model of the space weather market including: the industry sectors affected by space weather events; the government agencies involved in observations, research, and forecasting; and third-party companies. The intern will develop rough estimates of the financial impact in one or more industry sectors by a severe event based on recent literature and additional data. The intern may contact industry and government representatives to collect additional information.

Duties & Responsibilities

Depending on the space weather topic, the intern will work on one (1) of the following topics:
a. Review the space weather market and develop a basic economic model
b. Estimate the financial impact of a large-scale event on one or more industry sectors based on published data.
c. Develop a value chain for a large-scale space weather event on a given industry sector (e.g. the electric power grid)
c. Review the national policy framework on space weather. Summarize its status and outlook.


Special Skills/Training

Depending on the space weather topic may develop one of the following skills:
a. Market analysis
b. Value chain analysis

Expected Outcomes

Space weather impacts have become a focus of research in several government organizations (NOAA, NASA, DOD, DOI, OSTP, etc.) and industry sectors. The student will become familiar with the current financial and policy perspectives on these topics.

Guidance & Supervision

Dr. Dimitrios Vassiliadis and an economics specialist will work with the student in coordination with the academic advisor. The NESDIS staff will introduce the student to the National Space Weather Strategy and Action Plan and related policy framework. The most effective type of collaboration is for the student to work at NESDIS several hours a week. A less effective mode will be collaboration via email and teleconferencing.

Please be sure to apply via the NOAA Education Office via the link provided by NLT January 31, 2022, and email Dena Joseph at dena.joseph@noaa.gov to express your interest in Space Weather.