NOAA SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR THE ERNEST F. HOLLINGS
UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Up to $29,000 Available to Each Student for Studies and Internships

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is accepting applications for a scholarship program in honor of retired South Carolina Senator Ernest F. Hollings who promoted ocean and atmospheric study and research throughout his career. This is the second year the scholarship is being made available to students interested in pursuing degrees in ocean and atmospheric sciences and education.

The 2006 NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program will provide over 100 college undergraduates up to $29,000 to further their academic studies related to NOAA science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities; and to offer a related summer internship designed to provide a “hands-on,” multi-disciplinary training experience. Applications will be accepted through April 22, 2006.

The Hollings scholarship program will provide selected undergraduate students with awards that include academic assistance for full-time study during their junior and senior years (up to a maximum of $8,000 per year); a 10-week, full-time internship position ($650/week) during the summer at a NOAA facility; a housing subsidy for scholars who do not reside at home during the summer internship; and travel expenses to attend and participate in a Hollings Scholarship Program orientation and conference at the beginning and end of the internship respectively.

“Fostering interest in environmental literacy is a vital issue to Sen. Hollings and to all of us at NOAA. We are proud to administer the Hollings scholarship program which is designed to increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology and education. The students who receive this award may someday become our next generation of teachers, oceanographers, marine biologists, or climate scientists,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

The Hollings Scholarship Program expands and supports NOAA’s 35-year commitment to enhance economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and provide environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. The program is part of a larger effort to enhance NOAA’s strategic efforts to promote environmental literacy and ensure a future, world-class workforce to assist the agency in fulfilling its mission.

In support of these efforts, Hollings scholars will be selected from applicants majoring in a broad range of disciplines including: biological, physical, and social sciences; mathematics; engineering; computer and information sciences; and teacher education.

Applications for the Hollings Scholarship Program are available on-line at http://www.orau.gov/noaa/HollingsScholarship, by e-mail at HollingsScholarship@orau.gov, by telephone (865) 241-8240 or by mail

ATTN: NOAA/Hollings Scholarship
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
P.O. Box 117, MS 36
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117

Contact NOAA’s Education Office for further information by e-mail at,
noaa.education@noaa.gov or by phone at (301) 713-9437 ext 126.

NOAA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation's coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, 61 countries and the European Commission to develop a global network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA Scholarship application information: http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/Hollings_info.html