February 26, 2024
The IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (IMS) and The National Science Foundation (NSF) are supporting the 11th cohort of the Project Connect Travel Grant at IMS 2024 in Washington, DC. Project Connect is soliciting applications from eligible (see below) undergraduate and first/second-year graduate students to participate in IMS 2024 from June 16-21. Over 150 students from 45 universities have participated in Project Connect since 2014, with proven success in broadening participation in the microwave field. In a 2022 review, it was found that PC students pursue graduate degrees at 3- to 4-times the national average in the United States. Furthermore, the ethnic and gender demographics of the student participants is notable — at least 55% female participants and 77% students of color.
Please help us to spread the word among students and faculty in your organization. Best practices indicate that your personal interactions with the potential student encourages them to successfully submit applications. We have also seen that students who have internships during the week of the symposium are still able participate when they get approval from their employer to attend this professional development activity. We are happy to provide a letter for students to share with their employer.
Detailed information about the event and registration instructions are at the IMS website. Students can also start the application process directly at this link without going to the IMS website.
Selected students will receive a travel award to attend the symposium and join an exciting cohort of students who participate in several professional development activities, grow their own network, and of course, get to know much more about the microwave industry. This is an excellent way to encourage undergraduate students in your school to pursue a career or graduate degree in RF/microwave engineering, and to help new graduate students experience the community first-hand.
Eligibility: Candidates must be (1) at least 18 years old as of June 16, 2024, and (2) members of under-represented groups in engineering. For example, in the United States these groups include women, American Indian/Native, African American/Black, Hispanic American/Latino, Native Hawaiian and Native Alaskan. There are no citizenship requirements. Application details are included in the flyer.
Project Connect is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the IMS 2024 Organizing Committee.
The first application deadline is March 10, 2024.
Thank you!
The Project Connect 2024 Team
(Rhonda Franklin, Netra Pillay, Heena Rathore, Abhay Samant, Alex Stutts, Tom Weller, Jena Staab, Rosalind Agasti, Enrique Gonzalez, Arya Menon, and Rashaunda Henderson)