Office of the Secretary

Davis-Bahcall Scholarship Program  

Application deadline:

• December 18, 2009

The Davis-Bahcall Scholarship is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for South Dakota students who love science. Recipients will study at the Sanford Lab at Homestake in Lead, S.D., the Gran Sasso National Underground Laboratory in Italy, and/or other International science laboratories, and Princeton University in New Jersey. Students are accompanied by a chaperone.

Up to 12 students will be chosen to receive scholarships that cover tuition, room and board, and travel for the summer-study program.

Additionally, up to 12 additional students may also be selected from the Davis Bahcall applicant pool to participate in a three-week Science Scholarship program. The students will spend one week at the Sanford Lab at Homestake Underground Lab in Lead, SD. The national lab site (Fermilab, outside Chicago, or Brookhaven, outside New Your City), is yet to be determined.

• Program summary
• Eligibility requirements
• Optional internship
• Application
• For more information

Sponsored by:

Program summary

Davis-Bahcall Scholarship recipients will have the chance to spend approximately five weeks of their summer digging deep into science at the Sanford Laboratory at Homestake in Lead, S.D., and the Gran Sasso National Underground Laboratory in Italy. Participants will also study physics at Princeton University in New Jersey.

Coursework will cover a variety of science-related fields, including the subjects of physics, engineering and geology. Participants will also have the opportunity to interact and learn from distinguished professors from all over the world. College credit will be offered.

Named for two great physicists, the Davis-Bahcall Scholarship is intended to spark an interest and promote the exploration of science in South Dakota's young minds. Nobel Prize winner Dr. Ray Davis and Dr. John Bahcall are the two scientists most responsible for the field of solar neutrino physics and neutrino astronomy.

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Eligibility requirements

• Candidates must:
  • Be age 18 or older at time of travel
  • Be a high school senior or college freshmen at time of application
  • Attend a South Dakota public, private or home school or postsecondary institution
  • Have a demonstrated interest in science with the intent of pursuing an advanced degree in a math, science, engineering or technology field
  • Preference will be given to those students completing advanced math and science courses.
  • Students may only participate in the five-week scholarship program once.

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Optional internship

Davis-Bahcall Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to apply for pre-selected summer internships on a case-by-case basis. Prospective employers will offer paid summer internships beginning in mid-May and running through August. All internships offered through the program grant the student a leave of absence to participate in the Davis-Bahcall summer study program. Internships may be offered by private business, state government, universities or national laboratories. An internship is not required as part of the Davis-Bahcall program.

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Application

To apply for the Davis-Bahcall Scholarship, candidates must submit:

• Scholarship application form
• Official high school and college transcripts, including standardized test scores when possible
• 500- to 700-word essay detailing qualifications and interest in the program
• Letter of support from a current science teacher
• Resume detailing academic achievement and extra-curricular activities

Applicants also will participate in a 30-minute interview.

• Interviews will place in January at various locations across the state.
• Interview panel to include three to five people.

Submit application materials to:

Erin Larsen
South Dakota Department of Education
700 Governors Drive
Pierre SD 57501

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Tentative Schedule

The Davis-Bahcall Scholarship will include a five-week study program during the months of July and August. A more detailed schedule will be added at a later date.

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For more information

Questions about the scholarship program can be directed to the Department of Education. Call (605) 773-2533 or e-mail erin.larsen@state.sd.us.  

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