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CU Boulder goes 5 for 5 in national needs fellowships to rack up 117 academic years of graduate student support.

The College of Engineering and Applied Science received $4.7 million in October from the U.S. Department of Education to strengthen graduate teaching and research, as well as expand access to graduate study. The funds will be given to exceptional students with financial constraints who are pursuing doctoral degrees in areas of significant importance for America. Combined with the college’s match of $1.3 million, the fellowship program is expected to support up to 39 students per year for three years.

Five departments and programs submitted applications for the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) fellowship grants, and all five were awarded. Together, these grants represent an unprecedented 117 academic years of fellowship support for graduate students at the college. These awards also significantly accelerate the college’s progress toward being a top-10 doctoral degree granting college. 

  It offers access to a graduate education for those who may have felt the option was out of reach.   – Keith Molenaar, associate dean for research

“This prestigious program builds national capacity in critical areas such as aerospace, infrastructure and advanced materials, where the college already has strength,” said Keith Molenaar, associate dean for research at CU Engineering and a 1996 GAANN award recipient. “It also offers access to a graduate education for those who may have felt the option was out of reach due to their financial situation. We look forward to welcoming many new doctoral students to Boulder engineering as a result.”

The GAANN program is designed to enhance teaching and research in areas of national need. Defined by the Department of Education, those areas include computer and information sciences, rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure, national civic literacy and workforce development. 

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“What’s really special about these awards is that they are not tied to a specific research project,” said Abbie Liel, associate professor in the civil, environmental and architectural engineering department and GAANN program participant. “This allows students to explore something of interest to them. And likewise, it lets babyֱ��app explore something more experimental, often interdisciplinary where they are taking a little from this area and a little from that area.”

Graduate students must apply for the competitive GAANN fellowships, which typically provide more than the standard teaching and research grant. As fellows, the students join a community of scholars who grow as leaders together through retreats, professional development programs and other activities. 

“I like to think of it as an academic enrichment program that goes beyond the classroom and lab education that students would normally get,” said Robert Davis, dean emeritus of the college and Tisone Professor in chemical and biological engineering. Davis will use his GAANN award to attract and train doctoral students in infrastructure rebuilding.