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Hypersonics Research Scholarship Program

A 10-week undergraduate summer research internship in hypersonic systems and technologies.

Funded by the Joint Hypersonic Transition Office (JHTO) and Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, this program provides research experience for undergraduate students in fields related to hypersonic systems and technologies, particularly in technical areas aligning with JHTO research priorities: 

  • Materials, Structures, and Thermal Protection Systems,
  • Guidance, Navigation, and Control
  • Air-Breathing Propulsion
  • Hypersonic Environments and Phenomenology
  • Applied Aerodynamics and Hypersonic Systems
  • Lethality and Energetics. 

Students participate in a 10-week summer internship at their own university, under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The program culminates with a national student symposium providing opportunities for participants to present the results of their research to the broader hypersonics and academic community. 

Award

A 10-week summer research internship with a minimum $3,000 in funding, and a minimum of two awards per university.

Eligibility

Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students (minimum of 12 credit hours) at the University of Tennessee, Georgia Institute of Technology, Ohio State University, Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering, Purdue University, Missouri University of Science & Technology, or University of Virginia. U.S. citizenship is required.

A faculty member at each participating university must agree to be the research advisor, and students must agree to present their research at the Undergraduate Hypersonics Research Symposium in September. University of Tennessee student applicants must have a research advisor from UT Space Institute. Participation of underrepresented minorities and females is encouraged.

Application

To begin the application process please contact the representative at your university:

  • University of Virginia: Chris Goyne, goyne@virginia.edu
  • University of Tennessee Space Institute: Ragini Acharya, acharya@utsi.edu
  • Georgia Institute of Technology: Dimitri Mavris, mavris@aerospace.gatech.edu
  • Ohio State University: Jim Gregory, 234@osu.edu
  • Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering: Farrukh Alvi, alvi@eng.famu.fsu.edu
  • Purdue University: Jonathan Poggie, jpoggie@purdue.edu
  • Missouri University of Science & Technology: David Lipke, lipke@mst.edu

Evaluation process

Each university point of contact will convene a selection panel that will consist of at least three local university representatives. The selection panel will make a recommendation and the participating university will be responsible for notifying awardees and establishing the research position. 

Evaluation criteria: 

  • Proposed research (relevance and feasibility)
  • Resume and academic preparation (including GPA)
  • Advisor support, availability of resources and cost share. Cost share of up to 50% is desirable, but not required, and may be from university, sponsored research awards, or other sources.
  • Proposed research products must be suitable for public release. Students must work with the research advisor to obtain permission for public release if necessary.

Contact Us


Ragini Acharya, Ph.D

Department of Mechanical Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering
The University of Tennessee, Space Institute
411 B.H. Goethert Parkway, MS 24
Tullahoma, TN 37388

Emailragini.acharya@utsi.edu