Dear Colleagues, Funded Ph.D. research opportunities are currently available at The University of Alabama (UA) <https://www.ua.edu/> for graduate students through the U.S. Department of Education GAANN (Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need) Fellowship. The Alabama Materials Institute<https://ami.ua.edu/> (AMI) is a state-of-the-art, rapidly growing organization that supports interdisciplinary materials research, placing students, staff, and faculty affiliated with this institute at the forefront of materials characterization technology. In collaboration with the academic departments of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (MTE), Materials Science (MS), Physics (PH), and Geology (GEO), the AMI is leading the successfully funded GAANN program: Developing Analytical Characterization Skillsets in Next-Generation STEM Researchers for National Materials Needs. Two faculty members within the Department of Geological Sciences <https://geo.ua.edu/> are part of this newly funded GAANN program and are currently working on relevant projects focused on analyses of Earth materials, including volcanic deposits, biomaterials, and critical resources. Please see the relevant faculty pages linked below: * Dr. Kimberly Genareau (E-mail: kdg@ua.edu<mailto:kdg@ua.edu>; https://geo.ua.edu/people/kimberly-genareau/) * Dr. Alberto Perez-Huerta (E-mail: aphuerta@ua.edu<mailto:aphuerta@ua.edu>); https://geo.ua.edu/people/alberto-perez-huerta/) To receive a GAANN Fellowship, students must meet specific federal academic, citizenship, and financial criteria, as follows: Eligibility Requirements * Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, permanent resident, or a permanent resident of a Free State/able to provide evidence of intent to become a permanent resident. * Academic Standing: Must be currently enrolled in—or admitted to—a Ph.D. or terminal/highest degree-granting doctoral program in a designated national need area (such as engineering, computer science, mathematics, biological/life sciences, physical sciences, education, or psychology) at a participating institution. * Superior Ability and Record: Must possess an excellent academic record and demonstrate superior academic ability. * Financial Need: Must demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and institutional financial aid guidelines. * Career Goals: Must plan to pursue the highest possible degree in their field and commit to a career in teaching or research (often targeting a university faculty or high-impact research position). * Loan Status: Must not be in default on any federal student loans (qualifying under 34 CFR 75.60). There are many projects available with the UA Department of Geological Sciences faculty listed above, so please contact one of them before applying to the UA Graduate School<https://graduate.ua.edu/>. Once admitted, qualifying students will be selected by a committee for the GAANN Fellowship. These GAANN fellows, working within the AMI, will gain expertise in a range of advanced materials characterization techniques through instrument training, interdisciplinary graduate courses and summer workshops, and will be supported and mentored by research advisors and faculty affiliated with AMI during their graduate studies. Please, let me know if any questions. Sincerely, Alberto Perez-Huerta