*New!* START Dissertation Award Opportunity

Oct 25, 2007

START has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to launch a program for graduate students at the University of Maryland, College Park, who are interested in pursuing careers in the field of homeland security. The program will provide high-achieving students who have pursued research relevant to homeland security with professional development opportunities designed to help ensure that they are well prepared for pursuing careers in this field. In addition, students who participate in this program will receive generous financial support to allow them to focus efforts on their dissertation.

Recipients of START Dissertation Awards will be provided:

$30,000 towards tuition, fees, and a stipend for one academic year

Support for travel to and registration at one relevant professional conference

One-on-one mentoring with a professional in the homeland security arena and from the leadership of the START Center

Meetings with officials from the public and private sector working in positions related to homeland security

Opportunities to present their original research to leading terrorism scholars

In return, participating students will commit to working for a minimum of one year in the homeland security arena, following graduation.

Eligibility Requirements The START Dissertation Award program is available to Ph.D. students at the University of Maryland, College Park, who have successfully completed all required coursework in their home department and who have advanced to candidacy at the time of application. Preference will be given to students who are completing dissertations related to the study of the human causes and consequences of terrorism. Doctoral students in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences are encouraged to apply, but the program will not be exclusive to this cohort. Students who have received support from START in the past are eligible to apply. Students from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply. In addition, eligible students must meet the following criteria:

Agreement to commit a minimum of one year (12 months) of employment in the homeland security workforce (in the public, private, non-profit, or university sector);