Managing the Nitrogen Cycle S-STEM Application Form 
This "Scholarships in STEM" (S-STEM) program is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, and seeks to train students through mentoring, team coursework, and hands-on research experiences to address nitrogen-management problems in natural (e.g., wetlands) and engineered (e.g., stormwater and wastewater treatment) systems. Nitrogen is a biologically essential chemical element, required for the growth of all living things, including the plants that we grow for food and in our lawns and recreational spaces. It is thus an important ingredient in fertilizers, and the production of reactive nitrogen has increased food yields worldwide, and provided social and economic benefits. Yet, inputs of nitrogen to the environment have been excessive, resulting in human health problems and the degradation of many ecosystems. Both the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering have identified furthering our understanding and management of nitrogen cycles as Grand Challenges. This challenge is particularly notable along urbanizing coastal areas, such as the Tampa Bay region, where rapidly growing human populations have intensified nitrogen cycling and the risks of water pollution alike.

Eligible students for this S-STEM program are U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in a participating master's degree program (Geosciences, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering with Water Resources concentration, and Integrative Biology) at the University of South Florida. Additionally, eligible students will meet financial-need criteria and be interested in the topic of nitrogen management and be willing to participate in a range of program activities (see www.usf.edu/NitroSSTEM). Graduates from this program will gain knowledge of the science and management of nitrogen cycling, be able to communicate with other disciplines to co-design solutions to nitrogen management, and will come to understand the importance of engaging local communities in their professional work. This program is only available to US citizens, US nationals, or permanent residents.







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