The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science, Inc. (GEM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting underrepresented students who want to enter graduate school after obtaining their bachelor’s degree. GEM encourages underrepresented students to pursue higher degrees in engineering and the natural sciences at participating universities across the country.
The consortium provides many opportunities to underrepresented students, including paid summer internships, stipends, and tuition waivers. Candidates for participation are selected from the following underrepresented groups: Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Puerto Rican Americans, and other Hispanic Americans. Applicants must be college juniors, seniors, or graduates who have already obtained a bachelor of science degree in engineering or the natural sciences.
GEM was founded by Ted Habarth of APL. As a founding member of and active participant in GEM, APL continues to encourage its underrepresented staff members to pursue graduate education opportunities through this organization. GEM fellowships account for about 13% of the U.S. output of underrepresented master of science degrees in engineering. The consortium currently includes 78 college and university members and 76 corporations and research laboratories or employee members.