Improving Access to Career and Educational Development for Talented, Low-Income Students through the Flexible Internships-Research-Education Model (I-ACED) is a multi-institutional NSF-backed program integrating internships and research experiences to prepare students for careers in engineering and STEM fields.
This award will support students from low-income backgrounds seeking master’s degrees in engineering, computer science, mathematics and data science. Students will select from among disciplines in one of three technical tracks: biotechnology, sustainability and resilience, and digital twinning.
Five key partners are a part of this grant, Jackson State University, Prairie View A&M University, Rice University, Texas Southern University, and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). Student cohorts will interact with students from these other sites.
Rice students who are awarded the I-ACED fellowship will receive a full tuition waiver.
Applications to the I-ACED program are competitive and needs-based. Applicants should read all the information below to confirm that they are eligible and then submit a program application:
Benefits to I-ACED Award Recipients
- At Rice: awardees receive a full tuition waiver
- Up to $10,000 in tuition scholarship funds
- Participation in a pre-cohort Development and Engagement Workshop
- Ongoing scholar engagement activities during the academic year
- Guided in-person tour of ERDC facilities
- Coordinated internships or research experiences
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for an I-ACED Award, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
- Be a US citizen, permanent resident, US national, or an admitted refugee at the time of the application
- Have demonstrated academic potential, defined as being accepted for admission to one of the I-ACED master degree programs (you may concurrently apply for I-ACED while also applying for your graduate program)
- Have demonstrated unmet financial need as defined by the individual university that you are applying for
Application Process
Step 1
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).
- Complete the initial application. You will be asked to fill out information about your current and future schooling plans, answer two essay questions, and upload a current resume and unofficial transcript.
- OPTIONAL: View the recorded program webinar (live on March 20)
Step 2
- Eligible candidates will receive the follow-up application via email.
For additional information, visit the I-ACED website.