EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program (EGFP): Research, Leadership, and Service - Louisiana Tech University

The National Science Foundation (NSF), NSF EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program (EGFP) supports EGFP designated institutions/programs in EPSCoR jurisdictions by providing funding for graduate fellowships for eligible applicants. Institutions receive a total of three years of stipend and associated cost-of-education (COE) allowance for each NSF EPSCoR Graduate Fellow. This award at the Louisiana Tech University seeks to enhance research competitiveness and capacity through an investment in talent development. Fellow research topics will align with goals and programs supported by the NSF Directorate for Engineering (ENG). Research topics and activities will focus on preparing graduate students to solve real-world problems that affect everyday life, including improving infrastructure, developing sustainable materials, and enhancing education in science and engineering. The project will fund doctoral student EPSCoR Graduate Fellows who will be trained in their engineering discipline, conduct research in key areas, and receive mentoring, leadership training, and interact with the region through industrial and local partnerships. The graduate students will bring leadership to important projects that will further intellectual advancement in working with the centers. These include the following. 1) Increasing the understanding and performance of material properties, including coatings, polymer structure-property relationships, and 3d printing to name a few. 2) Improving processes with geopolymer concrete, novel ways of measuring buried materials, and ways to improve pipe coatings. 3) Develop pedogeological practices for engineering education, expand their usages to more courses, and create knowledge on best practices for broad dissemination. The program is especially important for strengthening opportunities in a region with economic challenges, helping build a skilled workforce that can support local industries and communities. Students will also take part in mentoring younger students, engaging with schools, and promoting diversity in science and engineering fields, ensuring broader community impact and long-term benefits to society. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.