Plasma Science and Fusion Center
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Financial Aid for Graduate Students
National Fellowships
There are a number of prestigious fellowships available for graduate and postgraduate research that are distributed on a national basis. These are administered by the Science/Engineering Education Division of the Oak Ridge Associated Universities.
For Ph.D Students: Fusion Energy Sciences Fellowships: Debbie Alcorn, Debbie.Alcorn@orau.org
For Postdoctoral Students: ORNL Postdoctoral Research Associates: Linda McCamant, mccamanl@orau.gov
For other educational opportunities and applications contact the specific program of interest at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, P.O. Box 117, Oak Ridge, TN 378831-0117
Departmental Financial Aid
Fellowships
Several fellowships and traineeships are available annually to graduate students through the various energy-related departments at MIT. These awards usually provide full tuition, medical fees, and basic stipend or grant to cover living costs. Holders of fellowships or traineeships are expected to give full time to their studies and refrain from engaging in outside employment.
Application for fellowships or traineeships is made to the department when the application for admission is filed. This application is sufficient to assure consideration for all fellowships and traineeships available throughout the Institute.
The MIT Student Financial Services web site explains loan programs available to MIT graduate students, as well as providing forms and information for other types of financial aid.
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| Research scientists and students work on the Versatile Toroidal Facility. |
Research and Teaching Assistantships
Each year a significant number of new graduate students are awarded research or teaching assistantships. An assistantship forms a valuable part of a student's professional education, while providing financial support.
Research assistants usually begin their employment as members of investigative teams in research groups and laboratories. The opportunity to conduct research in close partnership with members of the faculty has proved to be a valuable arrangement because the student's work in a particular technical area often leads directly into his or her own research investigation and thesis.
Research and teaching assistants have the opportunity to develop their ability to organize and communicate ideas, while at the same time contributing to the department's educational programs. The duties of teaching assistants may include student contact in laboratories, problem sessions, tutorials, or individual consultation, as well as preparing and grading homework and examinations.
Departmental academic advisors help research and teaching assistants determine which classroom and laboratory subjects to take, making sure that sufficient free time is allotted for students to carry out their responsibilities, for which they may receive additional academic credit.
Assistantship salaries are at a level that permits most students to be self-supporting. Appointments are normally made for the period September 1 through May 31. It is also possible to arrange research assistantships, and occasionally teaching assistantships, during the summer.
Full-time graduate students who wish to acquire teaching experience may obtain teaching assignments similar to those of teaching assistants, but with reduced loads. Commensurate academic credit is usually arranged for such teaching.
For Further Information
For further information and application forms, please contact Graduate admissions. In order to do graduate research at the PSFC you must apply through one or more of these departments.
Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Material Science & Engineering
Students may apply to more than one department to increase chances of acceptance. See our website on Strategies for Admission.
