To apply for either tier of the Engineering Grand Challenges Program, Fellow or Scholar, complete application below and submit the required documents as attachments.
Details of the program requirements can be found in the Program Document. Note: Fellow applicants choose three program components to complete, while Scholar applicants must complete all five.
Interested students are encouraged to review the website and research a Grand Challenge of interest. Students can then make an appointment with Alyssa Burks in the Student Development Center, 3612 SC, to discuss the application process and program requirements.
Applications are accepted two times each year. The fall application deadline is November 30th and the spring application deadline is April 30th.
Required Documents
These documents can be uploaded as PDF files at the end of the application. Faculty support letters can be included with the application or sent directly to Engineering-SDC@uiowa.edu. If you encounter any problems uploading documents, please email all application materials to Engineering-SDC@uiowa.edu.
- Essay #1 - Discuss the motivation to pursue the chosen Grand Challenge (1-2 pages).
- Essay #2 - Outline plans for completing the required components of the Engineering Grand Challenges Program, including which engagement level is anticipated for each component and how the programmatic support (up to $1000 per year) will be spent. Note: Fellow applicants choose three program components to complete, while Scholar applicants must complete all five (1-2 pages).
- Resume including information pertinent to predicted success as a Grand Challenge Fellow or Scholar such as educational background, professional experience, and service and leadership activities (2 page maximum).
- Scholar Applicants Only: Letter from the Faculty Research Advisor verifying that they will supervise the applicant in research relevant to the chosen Grand Challenge. The letter should include an estimate of student time involved, expectations for publications or presentations, and the source of research support (i.e., from the advisor vs from the program).