The Sloan University Center of Exemplary Mentoring at Illinois is one of eight UCEMs funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. It is designed to broaden participation in advanced engineering, physical and mathematical science careers, and to strengthen the talent pool in these fields while increasing equitable opportunities in the U.S. The grant supports underrepresented racial/ethnic minority students: defined by Sloan as U.S. citizens who are African American, Latina/Latino, and American Indian/Alaskan Native in eligible departments. In addition to financial support, Sloan UCEM scholars receive guidance from a team of mentors.
Sloan Scholars and Illinois Sloan Scholars
During the three-year program, fifty scholars - 25 Sloan Scholars and 25 Illinois Sloan Scholars - will be recruited and fully funded with assistantships, tuition, and fellowships.
- Sloan Scholars will receive a total of $40,000 from Sloan in three stages: 1) during year of matriculation, 2) after qualifying exam completion or unit-approved benchmark, and 3) after successful completion of preliminary or doctoral candidacy exams.
- Illinois Sloan Scholars will receive a total of $10,000 from Illinois in two stages: 1) during year of matriculation and 2) after qualifying exam or completion of unit-approved benchmark.
Sloan Scholars and Illinois Sloan Scholars are carefully mentored toward successful completion of their PhD’s and job placement. In addition to studying in highly-ranked, world class programs, these students receive a suite of professional development opportunities. Graduates will be well-prepared to become leaders in the workforce and in academia, where they can shape the future of their fields.
Partnering Departments/Units
College of Engineering (14 Programs):
- Aerospace Engineering (10KS4048PHD)
- Agricultural & Biological Engineering (10KS5163PHD)
- Bioengineering(10KS0408PHD)
- Civil & Environmental Engineering (10KS0106PHD & 10KS0231PHD)
- Computer Science (10KS0112PHD)
- Electrical & Computer Engineering (10KS1200PHD)
- Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering (10KS0127PHD & 10KS3846PHD)
- Materials Science & Engineering (10KS0130PHD)
- Mechanical Science & Engineering (10KS0133PHD & 10KS0242PHD)
- Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering (10KS5183PHD)
- Physics (10KS0240PHD)
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (9 Programs):
- Astronomy (10KS0333PHD)
- Atmospheric Sciences (10KS0334PHD)
- Biophysics & Quantitative Biology (10KS5414PHD)
- Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (10KS0300PHD)
- Chemistry (10KS0335PHD & 10KS0337PHD)
- Geology (10KS0336PHD)
- Mathematics (10KS0439PHD)
- Statistics (10KS0329PHD)
For More Information
Please email us at [email protected]. For general inquires please contact the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at [email protected] or 217-300-7747.
This initiative is made possible by a generous grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Read the Illinois News Bureau Press release.
How to Become a Sloan UCEM Scholar?
Students who have been offered admission in one of the Sloan-eligible departments need not apply. Departments nominate students for Sloan Scholarships according to the process described at: https://app.grad.illinois.edu/fellowship-finder/index.cfm?action=main.fellowship&fid=4679.
Important Dates
Why did you choose Illinois?
What are the benefits of Sloan UCEM?
Meet our Soan Scholars