The LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) is a nationwide program funded by NSF to increase the quantity and quality of STEM graduate students from underrepresented populations, with emphasis on Ph.D. matriculation and completion. BD programs implemented in the nation’s institutions of higher education contribute to addressing one of the objectives in NSF’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, namely to “integrate education and research to support development of a diverse STEM workforce with cutting-edge capabilities.” The vision of this grant is to provide a national model to produce underrepresented scientists and engineers with doctoral degrees in STEM.
General Requirements
- Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) applicants must have been participants in an undergraduate LSAMP program.
- Applicants must be accepted into a graduate program at the LSAMP BD campus site to be awarded the BD fellowship.
- Program benefits include stipend support, cost of education allowance, travel to professional conferences, mentorship, and professional development.
Each individual BD may have additional requirements or benefits. Please contact the BD directly for detailed information. A list of BD programs is located at: https://lsmrce.org/lsamp/bridge-doctorate.aspx
Most Recent BD Institution Hosts Awarded by the NSF
Boise State University
Starting in Fall 2025, the Bridge to the Doctorate seeks to welcome 12 new students to the program. The application will open on September 3, 2024.
- $32,000 annual stipend (two years)
- Students are also eligible to receive up to $12,000 annually as a supplement for tuition and fees for the first two years of the program.
- Individualized mentoring and support
- Research in state of the art labs with faculty coaching
- Participation in professional conferences
Stony Brook University
Each BD project identifies a cohort of twelve students, who have graduated from NSF LSAMP programs across the country. These students get admitted into a STEM department at Stony Brook. Each BD student receives funding for their first two years of graduate study as either masters or doctoral students and will then complete doctoral programs.
The program provides students with a full NSF fellowship, health insurance, tuition and fees. The program offers a series of activities in partnership with SUNY AGEP and STEM graduate departments that help build a strong BD community and provide academic, professional and social support. BD also works with departments to make changes in culture and practice that will help not only BD students but all graduate students. To date, there have been three cohorts of BD students at Stony Brook.